Big Shoulders Fund

The Big Shoulders Fund is a Chicago-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designed to offer financial support to low-income Catholic schools throughout the city. Founded in 1986 by Cardinal Joseph Bernardin and a group of Chicago businessmen, the organization has a Four Star Rating from Charity Navigator^[1] and in 2008 became a member of the FADICA.^[2]

Mission

The mission of Big Shoulders is to provide assistance to Catholic elementary and high schools in Chicago's low-income communities.^[3] The funds raised by Big Shoulders are given to its schools to support a variety of educational mediums including scholarships, special education programming, instructional equipment, facility improvements, faculty development, and operating grants.^[4]

Statistics

Schools

The Big Shoulders Fund serves schools that meet the following criteria:

• the school is located in the City of Chicago
• the school qualifies for and participates in Title I funding
• 20 percent or more of students attending the school receive free or reduced lunch

Students

• The Big Shoulders Fund works with 76 elementary schools and 17 high schools
• These schools serve nearly 25,000 students
  • 80 percent of students at Big Shoulders Fund schools are racial minorities
  • 54 percent of students live at or below the federal poverty level
  • 32 percent of students come from families that are not Catholic

References

External links

• Big Shoulders Fund website
• Chicago Catholic Schools
• Big Shoulders Fund profile on Charity Navigator
• Big Shoulders Fund profile on the Samaritan Guide
• Big Shoulders Fund profile on Guidestar