CHICAGO — At a moment of great uncertainty for public education, The Chicago Public Education Fund (The Fund) is doubling down on what works: strong school leadership.
This year, The Fund will invest $2.2 million to support the growth of more than 400 current and aspiring principals across Chicago. These leaders are the backbone of Chicago’s schools — and the organization’s belief in them is rooted in both data and experience: Behind every great public school is a strong school leadership team.
“Supporting school leaders is at the heart of what The Fund does, and it’s more important than ever,” said CEO Dr. Heather Y. Anichini. “Principals and assistant principals have provided stability through years of disruption — from a pandemic to today’s rapid changes in education. Now is the time for bold investment in the leadership our schools and our city need.”
The Fund’s programming offers Chicago’s principals and aspiring leaders the professional development, coaching, and peer networks they need to thrive, at no cost to them or their schools. These opportunities are designed with educators, for educators, and reach leaders who serve more than half of Chicago’s public school students.
For leaders like Principal Marie Garza of Albany Park Multicultural Academy, the impact is both professional and personal: “The Fund has been an invaluable resource and partner in my development as a school leader. Their programs have both helped me grow and given me opportunities to share my experience with colleagues across the city.”
The Fund’s programming is informed by its annual Principal and Assistant Principal Engagement Surveys, which it conducts in partnership with Chicago Public Schools and the National Business Research Institute. The surveys gauge school leaders’ experiences during the previous year, helping to understand the needs of principals and assistant principals citywide.
“Principals have an outsized impact on student achievement,” said Anichini. “We’re proud to partner with Chicago Public Schools and so many others across Chicago to ensure the educators who lead our schools have the support and autonomy they need to provide the learning experiences every student deserves.”
As Chicago faces a pivotal moment in public education, The Fund is living its belief out loud: strong schools start with strong principals, and investing in those leaders is the surest path to joyful communities of learning for students and their families.
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About The Chicago Public Education Fund
The Chicago Public Education Fund (The Fund) is a nonprofit organization that improves Chicago’s public schools by investing in the talented educators who lead them. The Fund is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025, underscoring its enduring commitment to collaborating with partners across Chicago’s education sector to redefine school leadership in the city.
Media Contact
Zach Jacobs
zjacobs@thefundchicago.org