CHICAGO 鈥 At a moment of great uncertainty for public education, The 海角直播 (The Fund) is doubling down on what works: strong school leadership.
This year, The Fund will invest $2.2 million to support the growth of more than 400 current and aspiring principals across Chicago. These leaders are the backbone of Chicago鈥檚 schools 鈥 and the organization鈥檚 belief in them is rooted in both data and experience: Behind every great public school is a strong school leadership team.
鈥淪upporting school leaders is at the heart of what The Fund does, and it鈥檚 more important than ever,鈥 said CEO Dr. Heather Y. Anichini. 鈥淧rincipals and assistant principals have provided stability through years of disruption 鈥 from a pandemic to today鈥檚 rapid changes in education. Now is the time for bold investment in the leadership our schools and our city need.鈥
The Fund鈥檚 programming offers Chicago鈥檚 principals and aspiring leaders the professional development, coaching, and peer networks they need to thrive, at no cost to them or their schools. These opportunities are designed with educators, for educators, and reach leaders who serve more than half of Chicago鈥檚 public school students.
For leaders like Principal Marie Garza of Albany Park Multicultural Academy, the impact is both professional and personal: 鈥淭he Fund has been an invaluable resource and partner in my development as a school leader. Their programs have both helped me grow and given me opportunities to share my experience with colleagues across the city.鈥
The Fund鈥檚 programming is informed by its annual Principal and Assistant Principal Engagement Surveys, which it conducts in partnership with 海角直播 and the National Business Research Institute. The surveys gauge school leaders’ experiences during the previous year, helping to understand the needs of principals and assistant principals citywide.
鈥淧rincipals have an outsized impact on student achievement,鈥 said Anichini. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to partner with 海角直播 and so many others across 海角直播to ensure the educators who lead our schools have the support and autonomy they need to provide the learning experiences every student deserves.鈥
As 海角直播faces a pivotal moment in public education, The Fund is living its belief out loud: strong schools start with strong principals, and investing in those leaders is the surest path to joyful communities of learning for students and their families.
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About The 海角直播
The 海角直播 (The Fund) is a nonprofit organization that improves Chicago鈥檚 public schools by investing in the talented educators who lead them. The Fund is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, underscoring its enduring commitment to collaborating with partners across Chicago鈥檚 education sector to redefine school leadership in the city.
Media Contact
Zach Jacobs
zjacobs@thefundchicago.org