Empowering Under-Resourced Communities

THE CHALLENGE

  • 4 out of 5 U.S. adults struggle with joblessness, near-poverty or reliance on welfare for at least parts of their lives, a sign of deteriorating economic security and an elusive American dream.
  • The scale and conditions of poverty make it one of the most pressing social issues facing our state and nation. Over 48.5 million people in the United States are living in poverty, 1.9 million of them in Illinois.
  • 40% of Americans have no savings.
icon_strategy_orange
icon_challenge_orange

OUR STRATEGY

The Foundation will fund local visionaries who have unique solutions to the headwinds facing under-resourced communities which include: malnourishment, poverty, violence and lack of educational opportunities, specifically the complete lack of financial literacy confronting our communities. We will also be involved in programs that provide resources such as mobile optometrists, dentists and doctors that can also address emotional wellness needs to under-resourced communities. We want to provide access to experiences and opportunities to local arts and education facilities (natural history museums, aquariums, art institutions).