Kids First is a model for building durable change in communities by empowering and supporting those closest to the problem to build and advance solutions. Their work to build genuine trust and partnership with communities has paid off, from bringing new school programs to families in Austin to bridging the digital divide for more than 100,000 students.
—Carly Bolger, Walton Family Foundation
Individuals
Amy Allman
Andersen-Formolo Family Foundation
Margot & John Anello
Anonymous (2)
An Anonymous Donor Advised Fund at The Chicago Community Foundation
Carol Barnett
Greg & Elizabeth Barr
Billhorn Family Donor Advised Fund
Mr. & Mrs. Norman Bobins, The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation
Mara Botman & John Downey
Ina Burd
Patrick Canning
Jane & David Casper
The David & Debbie Chizewer Charitable Fund
Kristen Ciciora
Sharon & Jim Civitello
Shirley M. Collado, PhD, & A. Van Jordan
Cecilia Conrad
Ali Cowan
Cassandra Di Prizio
Vanessa & Pedro Espinoza
Suzanne Fisher
Anthony Garcia
Nelson Gerew
Anne Gron
Cornelia Grumman & Jim Warren
Darrel Hackett
Craig W. Henderson Family Charitable Fund
Philip Herndon
The C.M. Herod Memorial Fund at The Chicago Community Foundation
Kali Herrmann
Phil & Carole Hildebrandt
Travis C. Hunter Jr.
Infinite Hope Fund at The Chicago Community Trust
Helen Jameson & Eric Bremer
Anthony Kamber
Josh Kaufmann
Krehbiel Family Foundation
Asha Kuloor & Girish Ramachandra
Andrew Larsen
Jean Lawrence
Clent Lewis
Norma Lopéz & Daniel Anello
John R. & Lauren K. Madera
John W. Madigan & Family
Joe McCartney
Evelyn Merlos
Michael Monticello & Dr. Karin Ulstrup
Thomas Nieman
Patricia Oey
Charlene Ortuno
Lucia & José Pacas
Sandra Pakin
Jim Parsons
The Joseph Pedott Legacy Fund at The Chicago Community Foundation
Erika Poethig
Carol G. & James D. Pollock
Elizabeth Pollock, Dr. John Zulueta, & Ian Zulueta
Kristin Pollock & Rob Civitello
C.H. Robinson
Sean Schindl
Nancy S. Searle
LeShonne & Adrian Segura
The Carl Stern and Holly Hayes Charitable Foundation
Robin Steans & Leonard Gail
Jill & John Svoboda
Ellen & Bob Venable
Megan Vidis & Richard Newman
Vignesh
The Catherine M. and Frederick H. Waddell Family Fund at The Chicago Community Foundation
Kaitlyn & Justin Weinstein
Ellen S. Alberding & Kelly R. Welsh
Kevin Windorf
*IN MEMORIAM
Corporations & Foundations
Abbott
Activision Blizzard
The Aiko Foundation
Anavo Solutions
Anonymous (2)
Best Portion Foundation
BMO
The Boston Consulting Group, Inc.
The Chicago Community Trust
Christopher Family Foundation
CIBC Bank
Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago
Crown Family Philanthropies
DRW
Exelon Corporation
Finnegan Family Foundation
Flamboyan Foundation
Frechette Family Foundation
I.A. O'Shaughnessy Foundation
IMC Chicago Charitable Foundation
The Joyce Foundation
KPMG LLP
Lewis-Sebring Family Foundation
McDougal Family Foundation
Miami Corporation Management
Morningstar, Inc.
New Harbor Charitable Foundation
The Northern Trust Centennial Fund for the Education of Children at The Chicago Community Trust
Origami Works Foundation
Peoples Gas
PNC Bank
Polk Bros. Foundation
PwC Foundation
Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Schreiber Philanthropy
The Spencer Foundation
Square One Foundation
Vivo Foundation
W. Clement & Jessie V. Stone Foundation
Our Lead Investors
The following list reflects commitments of $100,000 or more over fiscal years 2025 and 2026. We are grateful for their outstanding generosity.
Anonymous (2)
Best Portion Foundation
BMO
Crown Family Philanthropies
DRW
Finnegan Family Foundation
Flamboyan Foundation
I.A. O'Shaughnessy Foundation
IMC Chicago Charitable Foundation
Lewis-Sebring Family Foundation
Polk Bros. Foundation
Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Schreiber Philanthropy
Square One Foundation
Steans Family Foundation
Robin Steans and Leonard Gail
The Joyce Foundation
Vivo Foundation
Support Us
Please contact Evelyn Merlos, Senior Coordinator of Development & External Affairs, at emerlos@kidsfirstchicago.org for information about how you and your organization can support our work.
Kids First Chicago is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Our tax ID number is 83-0399727. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.