Partnerships

Big Shoulders Fund is an independent Chicago based 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, founded in 1986, that serves schools in Chicago’s most under resourced communities by providing a quality, values-based education. The Big Shoulders Fund invests more than $35 million a year into 92 Chicago area and Northwest Indiana elementary and high schools, educating 25,000 students – 73 percent identifying as persons of color and 67 percent living in poverty – through scholarships and enrichment, operational improvements, academic programs, and leadership development.

The Danny Grimley Foundation is proud to support two Big Shoulders Fund students with a special scholarship in memory of Danny based on their financial need and strong merits and character. The following students are benefitting from Danny’s good works and legacy, as they begin to create their own:

A first-grade girl at St. John de la Salle School located in the Rosemoor community. Her principal describes her as a hardworking and smart young girl with so much potential. Her parents are committed to her education and overcome physical disability to be active in the school community.

A sports loving freshman at Mount Carmel High School. This young man is a dedicated student and athlete. The school sees so much promise in him and what he can do and achieve along with the support of his parents who are committed to him having the best education possible.

The Danny Grimley Foundation is proud to partner with The Chicago School – a leading nonprofit university dedicated to training professionals for careers that improve the health of individuals, organizations, and communities. While The Chicago School is a large university with locations across the country, their long history of strengthening and giving back to Chicago communities remains a core principle, aligning with the mission of the Danny Grimley Foundation.

A brief summary of The Chicago School:

Founded in Chicago in 1979, the university offers more than 30 academic programs across psychology, medicine, business, counseling, and behavioral sciences—serving over 6,000 students across campuses in Chicago, Dallas, Southern California, Washington, D.C., and online. Driven by its mission to transform lives, The Chicago School equips students with a practical, solutions-focused education rooted in innovation, community partnership, and real-world impact.

To learn more about The Chicago School, please click here.