Children First Fund

The Chicago Public Schools Foundation.

Promoting the growth and success of @ChiPubSchools through philanthropy and partnerships. #TheBestAreWithCPS

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

Since March, 482 @ChiPubSchools students have been training hard and building healthy habits. On May 17th, 80 of these amazing runners and coaches crushed their final mile at the @ChicagoHalf! 🏅

Huge thanks to our partner, @LifeTime_Life Foundation, for making this incredible opportunity possible and supporting student health and wellness across the city.

Shoutout to the dedicated students and coaches representing our 10 participating elementary schools—we are so proud of you! 🏃‍♂️

#CPSHealthAndWellness #StudentSuccess #LifeTimeFoundation #CFF

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

14 outstanding @ChiPubSchools cadets were awarded the 2nd annual Admiral Lisa Franchetti ROTC Scholarship! 🎖️

Funded by @RahmEmanuel & Amy Rule, these $10K awards help ensure financial hurdles don't stand between our scholars & their dreams of higher education and service.

Thank you to @RickoverNaval, the CPS Office of College & Career Success, and the JROTC leadership team for empowering the next generation of leaders! 🇺🇸✨

#JROTC #CPS #ChildrenFirstFund #Scholarship #Leadership

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

This past weekend, @lollapalooza showed us what meaningful corporate partnership looks like with a historic $1.7M donation to @ChiPubSchools arts education! 🎨🎸

Partnering with @IngenuityChgo, this funding expands classroom arts programming and secures a 5-year investment to restore the historic All-City Performing Arts after-school program.

Huge thanks to the CPS Arts team, Board President Sean Harden, Chief Education Officer Dr. Karime Asaf, and Lollapalooza’s Tim “Tuba” Smith for celebrating with us. Together, we’re ensuring a student’s zip code never defines their access to the arts! ✨

#ArtsEducation #Lollapalooza #ChildrenFirstFund #EquityInTheArts #CPS

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

As National Nurses Week comes to a close, we want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible healthcare heroes taking care of students every day!

Our school nurses are the heart of our schools. From managing daily health needs to being a comforting presence for our students, they work tirelessly to ensure every child is safe, healthy, and ready to learn.

We are so grateful for your expertise and the unwavering care you provide to our @ChiPubSchools students every single day. Thank you for everything you do!

#NationalNursesWeek #SchoolNurses #CPS #HealthcareHeroes #ThankYouNurses #StudentWellness #Chicago

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

Show a teacher you appreciate them by supporting the students they care for every day. 💙

The Compassion Fund provides the essentials students need—from basic supplies to emergency support—so they can show up to class ready to learn. When our students’ needs are met, our teachers can focus on what they do best: helping every child thrive and succeed.

Honor an educator today with a gift that makes a difference in their classroom.

https://t.co/e5Gvbi6IrC

#TeacherAppreciationWeek #CompassionFund #CPS #SupportStudents #CFF

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

Exciting Announcement! 🚀

@amazon is partnering with @ChiPubSchools & CFF to donate $100K for STEM & CS education at schools in Gage Park! This gift funds teacher training, tech resources, and robotics clubs to help our students thrive.

Huge thanks to the Amazon team, Alderwoman @gutierrez_jeylu, and Acting Chief Annise Lewis for joining us. Most importantly, thank you to the Sandoval Elementary staff and students for the warm welcome!

We were blown away by the impressive computer science projects the students shared with us, and we can’t wait to see what more they can accomplish with this investment! 🌟

#CPS #Amazon #STEM #Chicago #ComputerScience #CFF

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

Teachers & school staff are the foundation of @ChiPubSchools!

🌟 The progress our students make is a direct result of the countless hours you spend mentoring, planning, and changing lives.

CFF is proud to stand behind you year-round through our commitment to educator development and school support. We appreciate you! 💙

#TeacherAppreciationWeek #CPS #CFF #ChicagoEducation

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

On International Firefighters' Day, we are highlighting the Chicago Police and Fire Training Academy (CPFTA)—a premier pathway for students dedicated to serving our city.

A long-standing collaboration between @ChiPubSchools, the Chicago Fire Dept., and the Chicago Police Department, CPFTA provides a comprehensive view of careers in public safety, law enforcement, and fire science. This program is a vital engine for diversity and leadership, helping students develop the perseverance required for the city’s police and fire academies.

This mission is fueled by the strategic support of the #MotorolaSolutionsFoundation, the philanthropic arm of @MotoSolutions. Their investment ensures our students are equipped for success by providing:

⭐ Funding for books, certifications, and ancillary materials, and support for professional development and staffing

We are proud to elevate partners like the Motorola Solutions Foundation who prioritize equity and excellence in the first responder field. Together, we are shaping the future of public safety.

#ChicagosNext #FirefightersDay #CPFTA #PublicSafety #CPS #MotorolaSolutions #Chicago #CPS #CFF

[CPS - Chicago Public Schools @ChiPubSchools]

Teacher and School Staff Appreciation Week is May 4–8. Thank you to the CPS educators and school staff who show up for and support our students and communities in a million ways! https://t.co/7PAPkDJFFE #TheBestAreWithCPS
___
La Semana de Agradecimiento a Maestros y Personal Escolar es del 4 al 8 de mayo. ¡Gracias a los educadores y al personal escolar de CPS que siempre van más allá! https://t.co/7PAPkDJFFE

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

Happy #EarthDay! 🌎 This weekend, we celebrated the 2nd distribution of 6,000+ @Ambius plant containers to @ChiPubSchools communities.

By integrating living design into classrooms, this partnership with CPS OSHW empowers schools to lead garden projects and improves student well-being. CFF is grateful for partners who invest in greener, healthier learning environments for every student! 🌱🏙️

#ChicagoPublicSchools #Ambius #GreenSchools #Sustainability

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

Building a talent pipeline takes more than a classroom—it takes industry leaders like Power Construction.

Through their commitment to Chicago Builds, they are providing industry exposure to 183 @ChiPubSchools trainees from 45 high schools-- bridging the gap to professional careers so students see themselves in the future of the construction trades.

Students are earning industry credentials and dual credit while gaining direct networking access to industry leaders. Additionally, this collaboration has removed critical post-secondary barriers for alumni by covering essential costs like union exam fees and PPE.

We are proud to elevate partners like Power Construction who recognize that an investment in CPS students is an investment in the vitality of Chicago.

Partner with CFF to shape #ChicagosNext: https://t.co/6lx9TKTwwm

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

Preparation for life after @ChiPubSchools starts long before graduation. Through career pathways and direct scholarship support, we are working together to ensure every student has a clear trajectory.

Join us this spring as we highlight the scholars and partners defining #ChicagosNext.

#CPS #CollegeAndCareer #ChildrenFirstFund #ChicagoEducation

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

We’re thrilled to share the news that Dr. Macquline King has been selected as the permanent Superintendent/CEO of @ChiPubSchools.

A true champion for philanthropy, we are grateful for her partnership this school year and look forward to continuing our work together to advance the CPS vision and strategic priorities.

Read more: https://t.co/6BdXC8gQXc

#CPS #EducationPhilanthropy #Partnership #Leadership #Chicago #CFF

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

To wrap up our Black History Month trailblazing alumni series, we are honoring four icons who took their @ChiPubSchools education and changed the world.

- Gwendolyn Brooks (Hyde Park/Englewood): A legendary poet and the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize.

- Kerrie Holley (Kenwood Academy): A pioneer in technology and artificial intelligence.

- Hannibal Buress (Steinmetz): An acclaimed comedian, actor, and writer.

- Chance the Rapper (Jones College Prep): A Grammy-winning artist and devoted philanthropist.

We are proud to call them CPS Alumni and celebrate the excellence they bring to our city and the world.

#BlackHistoryMonth #CPSAlumni #ChicagoPublicSchools #ChildrensFirstFund #Trailblazers

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

Continuing our #BlackHistoryMonth celebration, we are looking way, way up at two Black women who went from @ChiPubSchools classrooms to orbit.

🚀 Dr. Mae Jemison (Morgan Park High School
🚀 Joan Higginbotham (Whitney M. Young Magnet HS)

These trailblazers remind our students that their dreams have no boundaries.

#BlackHistoryMonth #CPSAlum #WomenInSTEM #NASA #MorganPark #WhitneyYoung

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

Whether it’s the smooth notes of Nat King Cole’s "L-O-V-E" or Sam Cooke’s "You Send Me," the soundtrack to your #ValentinesDay was born right here in Chicago. 💙

Today, we’re honoring two Wendell Phillips Academy High School legends. From the "King of Soul" to the "Unforgettable" voice of a generation, these @ChiPubSchools alumni didn't just top the charts—they broke barriers in television, entrepreneurship, and civil rights.

#BlackHistoryMonth #CPSAlumni #Love #ChicagoHistory

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

Love looks like showing up.

When we talk about the Compassion Fund, we often list items: coats, hygiene kits, school supplies. But to the families receiving them, it means so much more.

Recently, a @ChiPubSchools parent shared with us: "These donations really go to show that there are still so many good people in the world."

When you donate to the Compassion Fund, you aren't just meeting a tangible need; you are telling a student that they matter, that they are seen, and that there is good in the world.

Make your Valentine's Day count. Make an immediate difference for a student today.
👉 https://t.co/IL4sBGMyed

#LoveInAction #Chicago #Compassion #CFF #CPS #ValentinesDay

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

To kick off our #BlackHistoryMonth series, we are celebrating three trailblazing @ChiPubSchools alumni who reached the absolute pinnacle of their fields—Service, Science, and Sports.

🏛️ Michelle Obama (Whitney M. Young Magnet HS)
Before she was an author, global advocate, and our nation’s first Black First Lady, she was a student walking the halls of Whitney Young. She continues to inspire our students to lead with grace and conviction.

🚀 Robert H. Lawrence Jr. (Englewood HS)
A true pioneer in the stars. Graduating from Englewood High School at just 16, Lawrence went on to earn a PhD in Physical Chemistry and became the first African-American astronaut selected for a national space program.

🏀 Kevin Garnett (Farragut Career Academy)
Before taking his intensity to the NBA, the "Big Ticket" captivated Chicago at Farragut Career Academy. A Hall of Famer and MVP, he proved that grit and talent can take you straight to the top.

These leaders remind us that Black History is Chicago History.

#BlackHistoryMonth #CPSAlum #ChicagoHistory #BHM2026 #FutureReady #MichelleObama #KevinGarnett #RobertLawrence

[Children First Fund @ChiFirstFund]

This Valentine's Day, we're asking: what does love look like for @ChiPubSchools students and families?

Sometimes it's school supplies so a student doesn't fall behind.
Sometimes it's a winter coat when temperatures drop.
Sometimes it's crisis support when a family faces unexpected hardship.
Sometimes it's hygiene supplies that restore confidence.

This Valentine's Day, your small act of generosity powers the Compassion Fund to provide flexible, immediate support, creating big change for CPS families when they need it most.

💙 Give compassion today: https://t.co/IL4sBGMyed

#CompassionFund #ChildrenFirstFund #CFF #CPS #ValentinesDay