A Better Chicago

At A Better Chicago, we believe in the power of data to create change. Last year, we introduced our Youth Opportunity Dashboard, a first-of-its-kind tool that offers insights into how young people are faring throughout Chicago. The dashboard provides a comprehensive view of youth progress, tracking them against six key milestones, with data broken down by neighborhood. Explore the dashboard here: https://lnkd.in/gfh2FBfv

The Firehouse Community Arts Center is back with their annual summer festivities. Here are two Firehouse events do you do not want to miss this summer: 🔥 That Fye Cookout, every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month 🔥 The Firehouse Block Party for Peace on Aug. 24

1 in 4 Chicago youth are living in poverty today. A Better Chicago is changing how Chicago fights poverty by investing in bold ideas that create opportunity for our youth. #ABetterChicago #AmplifyYourImpact

Last month, Illinois Congresswoman Delia Ramirez stopped by our friends at The Bloc to learn more about their mission and how they are bringing young people in the west side community together through boxing! 📷: Congresswoman Delia Ramirez

REACH Pathways, the virtual mentorship tool created by Chicago Scholars, has been chosen as a 2024 semifinalist for the Pharrell Williams Black Ambition Prize! Black Ambition is a non-profit initiative dedicated to closing the opportunity and wealth gap through entrepreneurship by investing capital and resources in high-growth startups founded by Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. The Black Ambition Prize aims to catalyze change and unlock opportunities for innovative ideas that will shape the future.

We are proud to see the executive leaders of Braven, a portfolio organization of A Better Chicago, engaging in insightful conversations with various Congressional offices during their visit to Capitol Hill. Thank you, Braven, for your crucial discussions on higher education partnerships and your efforts to find solutions for lowering barriers in higher education for first-generation college students! 📷: Braven

The Alumni Fund was launched to support successful graduates from our grantee portfolio. These investments represent former actively managed projects with proven impact, which we continue to champion. Portfolio organizations in our Alumni Fund include: KIPP Chicago, Noble Schools, and OneGoal.

College Possible an A Better Chicago portfolio investment, offers intensive coaching and support to help students gain admission to college and successfully graduate. Here are some recent successes we’ve seen from College Possible. 👇

Congratulations to Chicago HOPES for Kids, an A Better Chicago portfolio organization, for being named the primary beneficiary of Northwestern University's 2025 Dance Marathon! A date and location for the 51st annual event will be announced this fall. Read more about Northwestern’s decision and announcement at: https://lnkd.in/g6m6xiQk

Yesterday, we hosted our School’s Out Happy Hour at the Impact House. It was a joy celebrating the achievements of our portfolio organizations throughout the school year while enjoying refreshments and connecting with each other.