
In late 2019, we made a promise. We committed to investing $1 million over five years in nonprofits serving Chicago’s South and West Sides.
We weren’t a massive company with loads of extra cash laying around. (In fact, 2019 was a bad business year for us — the only one we’ve ever had.) But that didn’t deter our founder, Mark Aistrope, who created the idea of this commitment and believed deeply in the importance of giving back. He wanted this project to reflect our long standing mission of building a culture of respect and affection. Embarking on this project was about living our values and making an impact beyond our walls, supporting the people and ideas shaping Chicago’s future.
Mark wanted to specifically focus our donations on the South and West sides of Chicago. The many neighborhoods that make up the South and West sides are full of a rich history and culture. But due to the decades of disinvestment and structural racism, these neighborhoods face significant challenges, and have less economic opportunity than the North side and Downtown. Focusing our donations here, and hoping other business leaders may follow, was our way to work towards a more equitable future for all Chicagoans.Â
Meeting Our Commitment
Today, we’re proud and excited to announce we’ve fulfilled that commitment, and have supported 23 incredible grassroots organizations with $1 million in funds and equipment.
These hardworking nonprofits are doing impactful work across areas like housing, education, job training, and the arts. We identified these organizations in a variety of ways, including many being selected via deep research by a committee of our team members who live in the communities these non-profits serve.
Our donations supported their work in meaningful ways, helping them expand their reach, launch new programs, and provide critical resources and supplies. Just a few examples:
- Techco Savvy was able to start construction on three brand new, beautiful homes on Chicago’s West Side after receiving our support. (Next up: They’ve purchased two more lots from the city to begin construction on an apartment building and resource center.)
- Code Your Dreams will be able to host Code Together Day, an exciting carnival-like celebration teaching people of all skill levels coding skills and how to make their ideas come to life.
- The kids who take part in Kids off the Block’s after school programming have new computers to work on (and we provided funding to help support the organization’s work overall.)Â
- 35 young men are taking part in Boys2Men’s new, six week jobs program that teaches job and interview skills, hosts mental health workshops, and brings in multiple speakers from trade career paths.
This is just a small sample of how these non-profits transform lives every day. Grassroots nonprofits, with their deep understanding of community needs, are driving meaningful change, and supporting their efforts has been a humbling and rewarding experience for our team.
What’s Next? We’re just getting started.
While we’ve reached the milestone we set five years ago, we’re not done yet. Our commitment to our community is ongoing, and we’re excited to be launching a new, exciting project that will continue this type of support.Â
Stay tuned—we’re just getting started, and can’t wait to share what’s next!
More on The Organizations We’ve Supported Since 2019
Boys2Men Foundation
Boys2Men Community Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young men and boys. The foundation invests in the education, professional development, workforce preparation, and economic development of communities of color.
ChiBall Y League
ChiBall Y League’s mission is to allow children to play sports and set goals in an environment free of judgment.Â
Chicago Positive Impact
Chicago Positive Impact provides strong support and a positive platform to help youth grow as leaders and critical thinkers through leadership training and life skills development programs.
Code Your Dreams
Code Your Dream’s mission is to build the next generation of diverse and community-minded leaders in technology. They do this by equipping K-12 and adult students with the skills and resources to innovate technology solutions for our world.
Healthy Hood
Headquartered in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, Healthy Hood was established to provide affordable programming and resources that elevate the mind, body and conscience, as means to combat the current twenty-year life expectancy gap between underserved communities and high-income communities in the Chicagoland area and around the country.
Kids off the Block
Kids off the Block’s mission is to provide at-risk low income youth positive alternatives to gangs, drugs, truancy, violence and the juvenile justice system.
Ignite
Ignite stands with youth on their journey to a home and a future with promise. Ignite offers a comprehensive continuum of services to young people between the ages of 14 to 26 who are unstably housed or experiencing homelessness.
Latanya & the Youth of Englewood
Latanya & the Youth of Englewood works with youth ages 5-13 to provide after school activities including education, recreation, communication skill building, social opportunities, advocacy and support.
PorchLight Foundation Too
Porchlight Too is a nonprofit organization with the mission to serve the veterans, homeless youth and adults by providing everyday necessities. At the same time, raising awareness about mental health and the importance of self care.
Positive Impact Chicago
Chicago Positive Impact’s goal is to provide a platform that helps youth grow as students, leaders, and athletes.
Project H.O.O.D
Project HOOD’s mission is to empower people with the guidance, information and tools necessary to become peacemakers, problem solvers, leaders, and entrepreneurs in their communities.Â
READI Chicago
READI Chicago relentlessly engages men who are most at risk of gun violence victimization, providing participants up to 18 months of transitional employment, cognitive behavioral therapy, coaching, and support to provide a new path forward.
Strides for Peace
Strides for Peace is dedicated to increasing the collective impact of nonprofits working to create a Chicago where all can thrive, free from the fear of gun violence.Â
TechCo Savvy
TechCo Savvy’s mission is to inspire, innovate and empower under resourced youth with the knowledge, prowess, tools and confidence to become trailblazing leaders within their communities
WOMANISH
The mission of WOMANISH is to create safe spaces for women from all different backgrounds to connect with others while creating a sense of community in an environment designed and imagined just for them.
Youth for a Better Future
YBF’s mission is to empower youth to become future leaders and stewards of their community through positive mentorship.
YouthBuild Global
YouthBuild champions today’s opportunity youth who aspire to improve their lives and communities by building the skills and resources to reach their full potential. Through hundreds of YouthBuild programs, these young people pursue their education, prepare for future careers, and grow into community leaders.