Big Shoulders Fund will host its biennial Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Humanitarian Award Dinner on Thursday, May 15, 2025. It will will honor two extraordinary champions of our mission, Liz and Kent Dauten. Their philanthropy is known for being both transformative and daring, truly “making no small plans,” just like Daniel Burnham, the architect of our fine city. This approach, both strategic and bold, has led to an unwavering commitment to empowering students at Big Shoulders Fund schools and advancing other philanthropic initiatives to make the world a better place for all. Connected by love for the communities we serve and a commitment to transform lives, Big Shoulders Fund is making no small plans, like the Dautens, for our next 40 years.
We hope you will join us for this one-of-a-kind event to help celebrate the Big Shoulders Fund mission and make a difference in the lives of the nearly 25,000 students we serve.
Honoring:
Liz and Kent Dauten
Steering Committee:
Kent Dauten
Monsignor Ken Velo
Gerald Beeson
John Canning
Elizabeth Cole
Lee Henderson
Steve King
Ellen O’Connor
Larry Richman
Beth White
If possible, kindly consider check, stock or wire transfer payment for gifts of $5,000+.
Please send payments to:
Big Shoulders Fund
c/o PJH & Associates, Inc.
70 West Madison Street
Suite 200
Chicago, IL 60602
Event Contact: Molly McDonald
About Big Shoulders Fund
Big Shoulders Fund is an independent charitable organization that serves schools with demonstrated need, which provide a quality, values-based education for Chicago and Northwest Indiana’s children.
Big Shoulders Fund invests more than $40 million annually in 92 schools that educate nearly 25,000 children, 73 percent of whom identify as Black or Latino and 65 percent if whom reside in low-income households. Big Shoulders Fund students are defying national trends: 95 percent graduate high school, 81 percent of graduating scholars enroll in college the year following, and alumni graduate from college at nearly twice the national rate, with Black and Latino alumni graduating from college at nearly three and four times the national average respectively. One hundred percent of funds raised support our four major areas - scholarships and enrichment, operational improvements, academic programs, and leadership development - with the goal of not just strengthening schools, but whole communities, and preparing students for life-long success.