Not-for-profit group will provide millions of dollars to 30 Catholic schools in Chicago

A not-for-profit organization plans to invest millions of dollars to help keep the doors open at 30 Catholic schools that serve lower-income neighborhoods in Chicago.

The Chicago Tribune reports that the  partnership between the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Big Shoulders Fund will boost support for 30 schools that provide education for the city's higher-poverty populations.

“Big Shoulders will take a larger role in setting academic and financial goals at these schools, so they’ll be even more engaged and involved with the schools,” says Jim Rigg, superintendent of schools in the archdiocese.

Big Shoulders will donate $47.5 million to schools over the next 10 years. The archdiocese will provide nearly $45 million.

“We are honored to be able to provide this historic level of investment to help strengthen communities throughout the greater Chicago area," says James J. O'Connor, co-chair of Big Shoulders. "Our own research has shown that alumni of our schools go on to vote, study, work, and volunteer at rates higher than their peers, becoming the citizens and neighbors that make our communities and Chicago a better place for all of us to live."

Big Shoulders was established in 1986 to support Catholic schools in the neediest areas of Chicago. It supports 75 Chicago-area schools, and 80% of the students are minorities.

Although Big Shoulders will have more involvement with the schools, they will still be run by the archdiocese and the local parishes.

“We will still have a role,” Rigg says. “These will still be archdiocesan schools, the employees will still be employees of the archdiocese, but Big Shoulders will be a far more regular presence in the schools and will really be on the front lines of setting strategic goals for the future."

This announcement comes as Catholic schools continue to close their doors in the face of declining enrollment and financial challenges. Earlier this month, the archdiocese announced the closure of five schools.

“We know that many of these schools sit in troubled neighborhoods across Chicago,” Rigg says. “We believe that Catholic schools are anchors for these neighborhoods and vitally important to our ongoing mission to serve all types of families in Catholic education.”