Bright Promises Foundation

05/21/2026

A Legacy of 157 Years, and Growing 🌟

For more than 150 years, Bright Promises has shown up—for children, families, and communities across Chicagoland. Our work has been rooted in a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves the support, resources, and opportunities to reach their full potential.

That belief has guided generations of leadership, partnership, and community investment. It has shaped how we listen, how we fund, and how we stand alongside organizations creating lasting change for children and youth.

On March 25, we celebrated 157 years of impact—and a future full of possibility. This milestone is not just a reflection of longevity, but of relevance. It represents decades of evolving alongside communities, responding to what children and families truly need, and fueling solutions that strengthen systems and expand access to opportunity.

Our legacy continues to grow because of community members like you. Your partnership helps ensure that children and youth are not only supported today, but empowered for tomorrow, and for generations to come. Thank you for being part of this journey and for investing in the bright potential of young people across our region.🧡💛

Learn more about our work and the future we’re building together: www.brightpromises.org

01/22/2026

✨ Introducing Bright Promises Foundation's 2025–2026 Grantee Cohort! ✨

At Bright Promises, we believe meaningful change happens when we invest in people, ideas, and partnerships. We are proud to announce our 2025–2026 Grantee Cohort, a dynamic and inspiring group of organizations bringing expertise, experience, and innovation to advance equity and opportunity for children and youth across Chicagoland.

Rooted in Bright Promises’ three initiative areas, this cohort is leading impactful work in: early childhood learning, youth mental health, and youth leadership development.

Together, we confront critical and overlooked issues, strengthen communities, and create greater opportunities for young people across Illinois. We’re excited to learn alongside this cohort and to amplify what’s possible through collective action. ✨

Please join us in celebrating and welcoming our community of partners:

- A Long Walk Home
- Alliance of the SouthEast
- Alternatives
- Arab American Action Network
- BUILD Inc
- Chicago Commons
- Chicago Freedom School
- Chicago Youth Centers
- Chicago Youth Programs
- Christopher House
- Communities United
- Gads Hill Center
- Girls Inc of Chicago
- Illinois Afterschool Network
- Kuumba Lynx
- New Community Outreach
- Northwest Center
- Onward House
- Palenque LSNA
- Project Vision
- Southside Together
- UCAN

12/18/2025

Bright Promises is proud to celebrate and honor Jay Rosenbloom as he retires from the Bright Promises Board of Directors after 13 incredible years of service.🌟

Throughout his tenure, Jay has been a steadfast advocate for our mission, bringing both vision and deep commitment to our work. As the founder of Prep to Succeed, Jay helped advance opportunities for young people by ensuring they have access to the tools, mentorship, and confidence needed to pursue higher education and thrive beyond the classroom.🎓✨

His impact endures in every young person whose future is brighter because of this work. 💙

Thank you, Jay, for your extraordinary commitment to children, youth, and families across Chicagoland. We are so grateful for your leadership, heart, and support!🙏

12/15/2025

A big thank you to Cynthia Townsend for joining Bright Promises as an Expert in Residence! ✨

Cynthia’s work strengthens early childhood systems, centers family and educator voice, and supports equitable practices that help young children build strong foundations for lifelong learning and well-being. We’re grateful she shared her experience, leadership, and commitment to children, families, and communities with us.

Explore her resources and insights on the Bright Communities Hub, and stay tuned for more from our Experts in Residence: brightpromises.org/bright-communities

12/11/2025

Understanding emotions—especially the tough ones—helps children build lifelong empathy and emotional resilience. 🌱💛

Our SEL Expert in Residence, Cynthia Townsend, created an accessible, easy-to-use resource that turns classic fairy-tale characters into conversation starters about negative emotions. Adaptable for older youth and usable with a variety of books, it’s a friendly way to open up meaningful SEL conversations at home or in the classroom.

Scroll to explore this tool and support the children in your life as they grow their emotional awareness and confidence. 📚✨

Discover more of Cynthia's specially curated tools on the Bright Communities hub: https://www.brightpromises.org/story/bright-promises-welcomes-cynthia-townsend-as-sel-expert-in-residence

12/09/2025

Welcome to the Bright Promises Board! 🌟

We’re thrilled to announce Eric Wilkerson, Maricar Ramos, and Julia Waggoner as our newest Board members! Together, they bring deep expertise, bold leadership, and a shared commitment to creating a future where every child and family can thrive. 💛

✨ Eric Wilkerson is the Founder of WiCo Strategies, a Chicago-based strategic communications and public affairs firm. He brings decades of experience in nonprofit leadership and civic engagement, helping organizations amplify their impact and advance equity across communities.

✨ Maricar Ramos is a philanthropic and nonprofit leader with experience at the Mayer & Morris Kaplan Family Foundation, YMCA of the USA, and Chicago Public Schools. She is passionate about elevating community voice, advancing racial equity, and strengthening nonprofit capacity to create meaningful change.

✨ Julia Waggoner is a strategic leader at West Monroe, where she drives initiatives in organizational effectiveness, talent development, and inclusive leadership. Julia brings a systems-thinking approach to help mission-driven organizations build capacity and deliver lasting impact.

We are grateful and excited for their vision, experience, and dedication, and we can’t wait to see the impact they will make as part of the Bright Promises Board.

Learn more about our newest board members: brightpromises.org/story/bright-promises-welcomes-three-new-leaders-to-board-of-directors

12/03/2025

12/02/2025

Choose Joy. Fuel Change. ✨

In this moment of both challenge and possibility, families are stretched thin, systems are strained, and too many young people are navigating trauma without the support they deserve. But together, we’re rewriting the story—so they can grow with confidence, lead with courage, and experience the joy every child deserves.

Join a movement powered by community of changemakers creating joy, healing, and opportunity for children and youth across Chicagoland.

This year, with supporters like you, we reached 11,800+ children, youth, and families through community-led programs that heal, empower, and ignite leadership.

Your generosity helps:
🌟 Build strong foundations for our youngest learners
🌟 Elevate youth voice and innovation
🌟 Create spaces for healing and resilience

When you give to Bright Promises, you’re investing in upstream solutions, trusted community partners, and a movement for equity and joy.

Choose Bright Promises. Choose joy. Choose our community of partners. 🤝🧡
Make your gift: https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=9QTZ26CY9VTN6

11/25/2025

Meet Cynthia Townsend, the next SEL Expert in Residence on the Bright Communities Hub! 🌟

With more than 20 years of experience in education and out-of-school time leadership, Cynthia brings a deep commitment to helping children, families, and educators thrive through Social Emotional Learning. As the founder and director of Ideas, Knowledge & Strategies LLC, she supports organizations in strengthening their programs through training, coaching, and best-practice implementation.

Cynthia’s passion for SEL is rooted in her own lived experience. Today, she’s dedicated to ensuring youth receive the support she wished to have—and to empower the adults who guide them.

“Introducing youth to SEL, and equipping them with tools to understand themselves and their relationships, is invaluable.” ✨

Cynthia also champions the importance of family-centered SEL. When families and organizations work together, children receive consistent, compassionate support that strengthens their well-being.

💬 “It takes a village may be a cliché, but its truth remains—strong relationships with families are essential to supporting the youth we serve.”

Follow along for Cynthia’s insights, tools, and resources to strengthen families and communities: brightpromises.org/bright-communities

11/17/2025

A heartfelt thank you to Kam Green for joining Bright Promises as an SEL Expert in Residence!✨

We’re grateful for her experience, passion, and dedication! Kam’s work empowers children, families, and communities to practice SEL, build life skills, and strengthen connections across every setting.

Explore her resources and insights on the Bright Communities Hub, and stay tuned for more from our Experts in Residence: brightpromises.org/bright-communities