stories

A statement of our commitment and support for our community partners and the young people we serve.

Join Bright Promises at the 39th Annual Illinois Afterschool Network Conference to innovate, inspire, and impact youth programs with Executive Director, Katherine Korey

Bright Promises is committed to supporting diverse children, youth, and families. Check out these valuable resources and links to support our communities.

Expert Ashley V. Perkins shares new SEL resources for children, families, and service providers.

Board appoints Katherine Korey as next Executive Director effective January 1, 2025.

A report on the recent impact of the Healing, Leading, Changing initiative to address youth racial trauma.

Bright Promises Announces New Partnerships Serving Chicagoland's South and West Sides

Congratulations to the 2024 award recipients!

20 years of celebrating visionaries creating better lives and brighter futures for young people in Chicagoland and beyond.

A special feature on Bright Promises 2023-24 community partners

Bright Promises welcomes new members of the Board of Directors Dean Benson, Ryan A. Biller, Christine Calderon, and Aimee Hilado, Ph.D., LCSW

Trauma Informed Awareness Day is an annual, state-wide day celebrating triumph over adversity, community resilience, and trauma-informed care for Chicagoland children and youth.

Join our team!

Deadline to apply is February 23, 2024

Discover how our EQUIP community partners are helping Chicagoland children ages 0-5 have the best possible start in life.

Discover how our Healing, Leading, Changing community partners are helping Chicagoland youth of color heal, be resilient, and thrive.

2023 Awards were a record-breaking success, raising essential funds to support Bright Promises' child-serving initiatives.

Save the date for the Bright Promises 2023 Awards on Thursday, November 2 from 6-9p at Lacuna Lofts

Congratulations to Theater Y and Firebird Community Arts

"Bright Communities" website connects Parents, Educators, and Service Providers to free, high-quality SEL resources

Nearly a half-million dollars in long-term support committed to local Chicagoland organizations

A recap of the original content created by local youth leaders for Trauma Informed Awareness Day 2023

Do you know a leader who is dedicated to creating opportunities for every child in Metropolitan Chicago to flourish and thrive?

A reflection by JJ, Bright Promises Youth Council Guide

A poem and reflection by Nelly representing Palenque LSNA

A poem and reflection by Michaela representing grantee partner LUV Institute

Welcome to our inaugural Lifetime Directors - Paul Bodine, Shari Runner, and Jon N. Will.

We are growing! Welcome Neelamjit Kaur Dhaliwal, Randall Hardy, Jason Nierman, and Nick Bruce.

Game-changing investment will support programs addressing underrecognized needs of Chicagoland children and youth

Visit us at our new office at Impact House

On Oct. 25, supporters of Bright Promises came together to raise a record-breaking amount to support innovative programs serving Chicagoland children and youth.

Join Bright Promises growing team!

Register now for Bright Promises 2022 Awards in-person and virtual event on Tuesday, 10/25 from 6-9pm

Join us to celebrate the 2022 honorees at Bright Promises 2022 Awards on Tuesday, 10/25 at the National Museum of Mexican Art

Executive Director Jim Hirsch responds to the recent backlash against social emotional learning (SEL)

See how your support helped to make a difference in the lives of thousands of Chicago children and youth in 2021.

Watch the recording of the virtual event hosted in honor of Trauma Informed Awareness Day

New Leadership for the Next Chapter

Join Bright Promises for a free virtual event on 12/7 @ 11:00a and learn how empowering youth and supporting youth-led activism can help BIPOC children and youth heal from the trauma caused by racism

Hundreds of friends, partners, and supporters gather in-person and virtually for the celebration of Bright Promises 2021 Awards

A special announcement from Bright Promises Foundation

West Monroe employees helped create opportunities for Chicagoland children and youth at the 11th Annual Charity Golf Outing

Learn how social emotional learning can help youth thrive during the return to in-person instruction.

Bright Promises is seeking an Executive Director who can help bring the organization to the next level

Save the date for the 2021 Awards celebration on Tuesday, October 19

EQUIP remains a strong, effective, and needed source of support and is unique in its focus on quality improvements at early childhood education centers serving low-income children between the ages of birth to five.

Bright Promises is expanding our current programs and launching a new program to support children's recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Submit a nomination by Friday, June 4

On Thursday, May 6 Bright Promises presented a virtual conversation with the experts about youth trauma caused by racism

The Healing, Leading, Changing initiative addresses the impact of race based stress and trauma on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) children and youth

Through a new collaborative project, Bright Promises is expanding the SEL@Home: Social Emotional Learning initiative to reach more communities and families.

Learn how your support helped Chicago children and families in 2020

As part of our innovative approach to identifying under-recognized issues and funding cutting-edge approaches, experts convened in 2020 to select Bright Promises' next Focused Funding issue.

Bright Promises' Katherine Korey explains the program to help children thrive as part of the Fox News "America Together" series.

Learn about the recipients of Bright Promises COVID-19 Response Fund emergency grants who are serving children and families most impacted by COVID-19

SEL@Home programs are more essential than ever this year, and more children and families in need are being served despite challenges created by COVID-19.

Learn from the experts what steps you can take to support the mental health of children and youth.

Congratulations to the 2020 Awards Honorees: Debbie Frisch, Nancy Aardema, and Jahmal Cole

This is a pivotal moment. Bright Promises Foundation stands with those who are continuing to fight racism and seek social justice. We can create the real and lasting change that our children deserve. #blacklivesmatter

Please consider a donation to ensure low-income children and their families receive the help they need during these uncertain and complex times.

Learn how Bright Promises is taking multiple, coordinated approaches to helping children, youth and their families with critical needs during the COVID-19 crisis.

Tips for taking care of yourself and your family during the COVID-19 crisis.

A letter from Executive Director, Iris Krieg, about Bright Promises Foundation's response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Census counting officially begins on April 1! Chicago children and youth are counting on you to ensure that #kidscount in the 2020 Census.

In 2020, Bright Promises Foundation is expanding the SEL@Home initiative to reach even more children and families through the new Collaborative Action Grant program.

"Therein lies our brightest promise: that I care, you are not alone and we transcend together."

Bright Promises continues to make substantial investements in improving early childhood education in Chicago for low-income children with 2019-2020 EQUIP grants

Chicago’s first agency for the protection of vulnerable children celebrates 150th year of service by giving over the stage to the kids.

The latest in a special blog series created in partnership with the Nourishment Project to celebrate 150 years of helping children reach their full promise and potential.

Partner with Bright Promises Foundation and Better to double your impact. Your gift is matched, donate now!

Donate before Sept.29 to help us reach our goal!

You're invited to the 150th Anniversary Awards on Tuesday, October 15, honoring Judith S. Block, Dr. Dorene Wiese, and Peggy and Paul Bodine. Reserve your tickets today!

Join us at the 150th Anniversary Awards on Tuesday, October 15 for the presentation of the Elevating Youth Voices grants, plus performances by Chicago youth leaders!

Join us we honor Judith S. Block, Chicago philanthropic icon and lifelong advocate for children, American Indian leader Dr. Dorene Wiese, and outstanding volunteers Peggy and Paul Bodine.

Bright Promises is proud to announce new and renewed multi-year partnerships with 14 organizations through the SEL@Home initiative.

Transcendental - Rising to the bright promise of untapped potential.

Edition 5 of 5: In the final edition of the Elevating Youth Voices Video Series, Chicago's youth leaders share how they would use $10,000 to address a problem in their community. Part of the Elevating Youth Voices 150th anniversary special initiative.

Edition 4 of 5: In the Elevating Youth Voices Video Series, Chicago's youth leaders share how they would use $10,000 to address a problem in their community. Part of the Elevating Youth Voices 150th anniversary special initiative.

Edition 3 of 5: Made by youth, featuring youth. Hear directly from Chicago's youth leaders about how they would use $10,000 to address a problem in their community. Part of the Elevating Youth Voices 150th anniversary special initiative.

Edition 2 of 5: In self-produced videos, youth leaders from across Chicagoland share how they would use $10,000 to address a problem in their community. Part of the Elevating Youth Voices 150th anniversary special initiative.

Edition 1 of 5: Chicagoland youth leaders share how they would use $10,000 to address a problem in their community. Part of the Elevating Youth Voices 150th anniversary special initiative.

On Saturday, June 1 over 100 youth leaders from across Chicagoland came together for a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of the next generation of leaders of our city and our world.

Donate $5, $10, or $20 to our first ever crowdfunding campaign in celebration of our 150th anniversary!

Have you spotted Bright Promises' in the news recently? Watch and listen to stories about our 150th anniversary on NBC5, ABC7,Conversations with a Citizen Podcast, and more!

What does it mean to elevate the voices of our youngest leaders?

From India, now to Iran

And congratulations to Retiring Board Members Rodger Owen and Robert Finley

Join us on Saturday, June 1 from 12p-3p for the Elevating Youth Voices Fair

Deadline Extended: Nominate by Thursday, May 9 at 5:00p

Program Update: EQUIP Provides Investment in Bright Future for Low-Income Children Ages 0-5

avatār : an embodiment of an abstract idea

Letter of Intent forms due by Friday, February 8 at 5pm.

Benediction

Deadline to submit an email letter of interest is January 15, 2019

Through careful, ongoing evaluation, Bright Promises Foundation ensures that the change that results from our investment is sustained.

Announcing a special funding opportunity as a part of Bright Promises Foundation's 150th Anniversary

What does one give when abundance is dwindling? Isn't that when the true essence of giving commences - the Giving of Self?

Bright Promises Foundation is partnering with RefugeeOne to ensure refugee children have the skills and support they need to thrive in the U.S.