The latest Wintrust mural features a depiction of the beacon of hope that Big Shoulders Fund brings to the Chicagoland area. With a network that expands across 92 schools — impacting nearly 25,000 students — Big Shoulders Fund helps prepare students to take up social and civic roles that will positively impact their communities. Setting students up for life-long success, the goal of the organization is not only to strengthen schools, but entire communities.

Big Shoulders Fund students have demonstrated a track record of success, with:

• 84% of elementary students moving on to high-performing high schools
• 95% of students graduating high school
• 81% of graduating scholars enrolling in college immediately following high school graduation
• Alumni graduating from college at nearly two times the national rate
• Alumni going on to vote, donate, volunteer, study, and work at rates higher than their peers

Wintrust’s connection

Wintrust has been a proud partner of Big Shoulders Fund since 2011. What started off as one-off donations and event sponsorships has evolved into a strategic partnership, with Wintrust’s Vice Chairman and Chief Lending Officer Rich Murphy, serving as a Big Shoulders Fund Board Director. We’re thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of such a strong mission by sponsoring and providing space for events, and getting our associates involved in schools as Stock Market Program teachers, service day participants, mentors, and school board members.

Upcoming events

Big Shoulders Fund has a couple of exciting events coming up, including:

The 23^rd Annual Golf Classic:
Monday, July 31 at Olympia Fields Country Club

Attendees will hit the links with leading civic and corporate leaders as they participate in the Hole-in-One and Closest to the Pin contests, several raffles, a silent auction, and much more. Always memorable and packed with fun, the Golf Classic raises funds for the Friends of Big Shoulders Scholarship Fund to help students study for a brighter future.

The 18^th Annual Big Shoulders Fund Ball
Friday, September 29 at Wintrust’s Grand Banking Hall

Big Shoulders Fund’s Next Generation Boards host this evening of celebration to toast the efforts of the principals, teachers, staff, students, and families they serve. Proceeds support scholarships that provide financial aid to some of the most deserving students across the Chicago region.

To learn more about upcoming events, visit their events page.

Big Shoulders Fund hopes viewers see this new mural as a reminder that together we can help strengthen our local communities by ensuring students have access to a quality, values-based education.

For more information on Big Shoulders Fund, and how you can support their mission, visit bigshouldersfund.org.