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Choose Chicago Foundation

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Inspiring and serving the next generation of hospitality and tourism leaders locally and beyond.

The Choose Chicago Foundation strategically promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives that benefit youth, community, and workforce development. The Foundation will offer financial support and long-term training opportunities for ethnically and economically diverse communities for advancement within the hospitality and tourism industry.

The Foundation is the official non-profit affiliate of Choose Chicago, the destination marketing organization for the city of Chicago, responsible for marketing the greater Chicago area as a business, meetings/convention, and leisure visitor destination. Choose Chicago is a partner-based organization, with nearly 1,500 members within the local hospitality and tourism industry.

Choose Chicago Foundation scholarships

Future Leader Award scholarship opportunities for tourism and hospitality students
Future Leader Award scholarship opportunities for tourism and hospitality students

The Choose Chicago Future Leader Award is a merit-based opportunity that recognizes students who demonstrate their commitment and passion for the hospitality and tourism industries.

Learn more
W. Bill Williams Trailblazer Scholarships for high school students
W. Bill Williams Trailblazer Scholarships for high school students

Our newly developed W. Bill Williams Trailblazer Scholarships aim to expand the Choose Chicago Foundation’s current scholarship offerings by awarding funds specifically targeting talented high school students in the BIPOC community residing on the south and west sides of Chicago.

Each scholarship recipient will be awarded $5,000 annually, for up to four consecutive years upon completion of criteria for renewable scholarships. 

Apply nowContact us
Jim Reilly Reformer Scholarships for college students
Jim Reilly Reformer Scholarships for college students

The Jim Reilly Reformer Scholarship aims to expand the Choose Chicago Foundation’s current scholarship offerings by awarding funds specifically targeting talented college students in the BIPOC community residing on the south and west sides of Chicago and south suburbs.

Each scholarship recipient will be awarded $5,000 annually, for up to four consecutive years upon completion of criteria for renewable scholarships.

Apply nowContact us

Get involved & Donate

<h6 class="card-title mb-4 mb-md-5 text-center" id="donate">Donate to the Choose Chicago Foundation</h6>

The work of the Choose Chicago Foundation would not be possible without the generous support of the Board of Directors, local businesses, community leaders, educators, and Choose Chicago partners.

Each of these entities recognizes the significance of investing time, expertise, and resources to support the development of youth and young adults in our community.

Thank you for partnering with the Choose Chicago Foundation! Together, we make a difference.

Donate now
<h6 class="card-title mb-4 mb-md-5 text-center" id="getinvolved">Get involved and inspire the next generation</h6>
Get involved and inspire the next generation

Looking to get involved with the Choose Chicago Foundation?

  • Become a mentor and share your expertise. Choose Chicago Foundation W. Bill Williams and Jim Reilly scholarship awardees will be paired with a mentor.
  • Host an internship or fellowship for the W. Bill Williams and Jim Reilly scholarship awardees.
  • Become a partner with the Choose Chicago Foundation.

Contact usBecome a mentor

Events & updates

 

Save the Date for the Choose Chicago Foundation signature kick off fundraising event, Wednesday, September 20 @ IO Godfrey Rooftop.

Additional details will be shared soon!

Choose Chicago Foundation Staff

Roz Stuttley
Director, Equity Diversity and Inclusion
Lynn Osmond
President and CEO
James Meyer
CFO

Board of Directors Officers

Juan Leyva, Board Chair
General Manager, LondonHouse & VP of Operations, Oxford Hotels & Resorts
Hamed Hashmy, Vice Chair
Senior Vice President/Senior Relationship Manager – Commercial Banking, Bank of America Merrill Lynch
Sandi Robinson, Secretary
Co-Founder Chi Gives Back & Director of Sales & Marketing, Godfrey Hotel
Al Orendorff
Head of Communications, Zurich International
LaCael Palmer Pratt, Education Advisor
Managing Director of Partnerships and Civic Engagement – City Year Chicago
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