The mission of the Big Shoulders Fund is to provide support to the Catholic schools in the neediest areas of inner-city Chicago. 100% of the funds raised by the Big Shoulders Fund are used to support children through scholarships, special education programs, instructional equipment, much needed school facility improvements, faculty support, and operating grants. The Big Shoulders Fund is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

Big Shoulders Fund supported schools enroll 25,000 students in 76 elementary schools and 17 high schools in the city of Chicago. The schools supported by the Big Shoulders Fund are the poorest and oldest Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago. The criteria that are used to designate a Big Shoulders Fund supported school include: The school is located in the City of Chicago; Title I eligibility and participation; and School has 20 percent or more of its students receiving free and reduced luncheons through the school's lunch program. Over half of the students attending Big Shoulders supported schools come from families who live at or below the poverty level. By educating these students, we are helping to break the cycle of poverty in our inner-city neighborhoods.

Chicago