Donate, Partner, Engage

There’s a role for every company, every organization, and every Chicagoan to get engaged with CPS and support our schools and students.

 

"I'm going to work with the Children First Fund, which is an amazing partner -and we have so much philanthropy, so much support in the community - so we can increase the number of children we're serving"

— CPS CEO Pedro Martinez

 

“Every day we wake up on a mission to create a brighter future for our students by making each day better, more full of learning, and hope.”

— Stacy Stewart, Principal, Belmont-Cragin

 

“While I learned to code, I learned how to speak. It helped me find my voice. I have skills; I have self-confidence; I cannot wait for the future!”

— Ajax Bachor, Student, Walt Disney Magnet Elementary School

Children First Fund is the foundation for Chicago Public Schools

Working both with and within CPS, we’re your destination for CPS donations, corporate giving, philanthropic partnerships, grants, and more.

Featured Giving Opportunities

Whatever your giving capacity, there’s an opportunity for you to support CPS schools, students, and families. CFF responds to needs that come directly from Chicago Public Schools leadership, departments, schools, principals, educators, students, and families.

Donate

Here are some initiatives we’re fundraising online for right now:

Your Trusted Destination for CPS Donations

We treat all contributions with care and ensure their efficient use. By operating both with and within Chicago Public Schools, we’re best positioned to maximize impact for supporters of Chicago’s students.

Through giving and partnerships, we’re creating new ways for every Chicagoan to engage in the success of our students and schools. Join us to advance equity and expand learning in CPS school communities.

Donating to CFF

Looking to support a single school? Considering a contribution to benefit hundreds of thousands of students across Chicago? However you can engage, CFF has clear, meaningful ways to maximize the impact of your generosity. 

Give Through Partners

Thanks to our partners and innovative organizations, you can support our schools and students while you shop, when you travel, through employee giving programs, and more. 

In-Kind Donations

There is always a need for donated school supplies, musical instruments, sports equipment, classroom furniture, technology, event tickets, and more.

CFF Funding Priorities

Chicago Public Schools students have been nationally recognized for their academic progress and growth. 

Children First Fund advances and supports the CPS mission, facilitating partnership relationships and ensuring that resources get to the students, families, and schools where they can do the most good.

636

Schools

330,000

Students

82.5%

Graduation Rate

$1.16B

Scholarship Dollars Earned in Most Recent Year

49.3%

Students graduating with Early College and Career credentials

Featured Partners

Partners play an integral role in making the CPS mission into reality. Our philanthropic community in Chicago and beyond demonstrates inspiring generosity.

Working with CFF, partners donate to CPS and engage in fundraising for the district, for individual schools, and for specific initiatives. They make in-kind donations, volunteer their time and expertise, and more. Here are just a few of our many partners who are putting children first.

View All Partners

2,000+

Recent supporters including Individual Donors, Corporations, and Philanthropic Foundations

$50M+

Over fifty million dollars in grants and contributions raised since 2020

4,350+

CPS students and families receiving emergency financial assistance from CFF through the Compassion Fund

Recent Updates

Chicago Philanthropic Community Expands Evidence-Based Youth Violence Intervention Program Supporting Students Facing Trauma

PRESS RELEASE Contribution from Ken Griffin Helps Bring Choose to Change to North Lawndale High Schools, Doubling-down on Meaningful Interventions...
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Fourteen CPS Students Each Receive $40,000 Scholarship and Internship Offer from Amazon to Pursue Undergraduate Degree in Computer Science

SOUTHLAND JOURNAL Winners include four Jones College Prep Students - the most from any single school in the country -...
Read More
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Visit our Newsroom for more Partnership News and Press Releases

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