Conagra Brands, Inc. (NYSE: CAG), announced today that it will join Chance the Rapper to donate much needed funding for Chicago’s Public Schools. The Conagra Brands Foundation will partner with SocialWorks, the charitable organization founded by Chance, to provide $300,000 to SocialWorks’ New Chance Fund, ensuring more Chicago Public School students have access to arts enrichment education. The donation coincides with Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday following Thanksgiving that kicks off the charitable season when many focus on their holiday and end-of-year giving.
Chance the Rapper, a Chicago native, announced earlier this year he would be donating $1 million in funding to ChicagoPublic Schools and urged local corporations to do the same. Conagra Brands is answering that call with a multi-year grant from the Conagra Brands Foundation that will provide $100,000 each year to Chicago Public Schools over the course of three years.
SocialWorks will be working with the Chicago Public School Foundation to direct funds to local schools that do not have existing arts programs, have low school ratings, and have recently had budget cuts. Conagra’s donation will go towards strengthening curriculum, providing support materials and creating enrichment opportunities for students within these schools.
“We’re eager to give back to our newly adopted hometown where so many of our employees, consumers and customers live and work,” said Jon Harris, Chief Communications Officer, Conagra Brands. “After seeing the amazing work Chance the Rapper and SocialWorks are doing to support our city’s youth who attend Chicago Public Schools, the Conagra Brands Foundation was eager to get involved in this incredible effort not only to create a better today for these kids but to reveal a future that is limitless. We encourage other major companies in our amazing city to join this very important cause.”
“SocialWorks and I are happy to know that Conagra Brands cares and is cognizant of the troubles affecting our city’s youth,” said SocialWorks’ founder Chance the Rapper. “We hope this encourages more corporations contribute and help strengthen CPS.”
SocialWorks will also provide an additional $10,000 as part of their matching donation program. To encourage other corporations and individuals to providing funding, SocialWorks has pledged to match each $100,000 donation with an additional $10,000. To learn more about how to support Chicago Public Schools, visit www.socialworkschi.org.
