Big Shoulders Fund

Big Shoulders Fund Our mission is to provide support to schools with demonstrated need which provide a quality, values-based education for Chicago’s children.

Mark your calendars! We need your loudest cheers for the Big Shoulders Fund Racing Team runners in the Bank of America C...
09/18/2026

Mark your calendars! We need your loudest cheers for the Big Shoulders Fund Racing Team runners in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon! 📣

Join our official Cheer Station on Sunday, October 11, and help us celebrate their incredible effort for our scholars.

Where to find us: In front of Kanela Breakfast Club (1549 N. Wells), from 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM. For more information, contact Oriana White at [email protected].

09/17/2026

You heard it here first! Chicago’s very own Leo High School Choir is taking the stage at the 20th Annual Big Shoulders Fund Ball on Friday, September 25!

This South Side ensemble captured national attention last year with a 4th-place finish on America's Got Talent. As part of the Big Shoulders Fund Plus network, Leo High School has spent 100 years building community and opportunity for young men on Chicago's South Side. Their performance is a powerful reminder of what's possible when a community invests in its students.

Don’t miss your chance to see Leo High School Choir live! Secure your ticket today: https://give.bigshouldersfund.org/event/20th-annual-big-shoulders-fund-ball/e784701?c_src=facebook&utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Big+Shoulders+Fund&utm_campaign=publer

Join us on Saturday, October 17 for our Give Back Day at St. Symphorosa! Work with fellow Big Shoulders Fund supporters ...
09/17/2026

Join us on Saturday, October 17 for our Give Back Day at St. Symphorosa! Work with fellow Big Shoulders Fund supporters to help organize, paint, and landscape around the building to ensure that the school is a warm and welcoming space for students.

Invite your friends and colleagues and make a day of it – the more volunteers, the greater the impact!

Sign up today: https://enroll.fillout.com/t/q5P5fzDes1us?src_c=GBDSocial&utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Big+Shoulders+Fund&utm_campaign=publer

09/15/2026

Get ready to see art bloom at the 20th Annual Big Shoulders Fund Ball.

Nature Mandalas are intricate, circular designs made entirely from natural materials, created as a form of relaxation, mindfulness, and celebration. On Friday, September 25, our Ball guests will watch multiple mandalas come to life in real time.

Check out the video for a sneak peek at how simple materials from our schools' own backyards become a stunning work of art. A huge thank you to our Teen Board for bringing this video to life!

Grab your tickets today and help us plant the seeds for a future of blooming leaders. 🌸

https://give.bigshouldersfund.org/event/20th-annual-big-shoulders-fund-ball/e784701?c_src=facebook

Big Shoulders Fund 40th Anniversary celebrations continue as we introduce 3 opportunities to join us for Lend a Shoulder...
09/14/2026

Big Shoulders Fund 40th Anniversary celebrations continue as we introduce 3 opportunities to join us for Lend a Shoulder Day in 2026!

Meet the remarkable students whose dreams you help support by visiting schools in Chicago, Waukegan, and Northwest Indiana. At Lend a Shoulder Day, you might find yourself judging a science experiment, building a robot, competing in a math decathlon, reading with students, or judging a poetry slam!

Save the date for:

- Lend a Shoulder Day Waukegan (our first ever!) | October 22
- Lend a Shoulder Day Chicago | November 5
- Lend a Shoulder Day Northwest Indiana | November 19

This is more than a visit — it's a chance to see 40 years of impact in action, one student at a time. Learn more about this impactful day: https://bigshouldersfund.org/take-action/events/lend-a-shoulder-day/?utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Big+Shoulders+Fund&utm_campaign=publer

Escape to paradise! One lucky silent auction bidder at our 20th Annual Big Shoulders Fund Ball will win 7 nights at the ...
09/13/2026

Escape to paradise! One lucky silent auction bidder at our 20th Annual Big Shoulders Fund Ball will win 7 nights at the stunning Casa Piazza resort in La Punta, Mexico. This is the perfect chance to escape Chicago's freezing winters and soak up the beautiful, warm weather in Mexico.

Every ticket you buy and every auction bid fuels opportunity for students across Big Shoulders Fund's network of Chicago schools.

This is just one of the incredible items up for bid this year. Check back here for more sneak peeks on our silent auction items!

Today, school representatives from across the Big Shoulders Fund network came together for our Annual Criteria Notebook ...
09/11/2026

Today, school representatives from across the Big Shoulders Fund network came together for our Annual Criteria Notebook Day.

This event marks our “official start” to the 2026-2027 school year, as we share important information about scholarships, academic programs, and development opportunities that support our schools and students.

A special thank you to St. Mary Star of the Sea School for hosting us today and helping us kick off another impactful school year!

We wrapped up another successful summer at the Big Shoulders Fund Staddle Camp at Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming! Thank yo...
09/07/2026

We wrapped up another successful summer at the Big Shoulders Fund Staddle Camp at Brush Creek Ranch in Wyoming! Thank you to everyone who made this a summer to remember for the 259 students who participated. Check out these fun facts about the program!

09/04/2026

Two decades ago, an idea was born: bring Chicago together with a fun event while making an impact on our city.

Big Shoulders Fund President & CEO Josh Hale reflects on Big Shoulders Fund Ball's history, how it’s grown, and its connection to our mission. He invites you to join us as we celebrate 20 years of impact at the Big Shoulders Fund Ball.

Join us on Friday, September 25 at Offshore Rooftop at Navy Pier! Prices increase after Labor Day, so don't wait to secure your ticket: https://give.bigshouldersfund.org/event/20th-annual-big-shoulders-fund-ball/e784701?c_src=facebook&utm_source=fb_page&utm_medium=Big+Shoulders+Fund&utm_campaign=publer

Address

212 W Van Buren Street, Ste 900
Chicago, IL
60607

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+13127518337

Website

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