Compassion Fund: Direct Support for CPS Students and Families

We invite you to join us in a season of giving that truly matters. The Compassion Fund is a lifeline for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students and families facing hardship.

Whether it’s a warm coat, a stocked hygiene closet, or emergency relief after a crisis, the Compassion Fund brings hope and stability to school communities when they need it most.

The Compassion Fund provides flexible, immediate resources to schools so they can meet urgent needs as they arise. Whether that’s ensuring students have the school supplies they need to learn, helping families through a sudden hardship, or creating welcoming environments where every student can thrive.

We’ve heard from school leaders how vital the Compassion Fund’s flexible relief has been during times of need, and how there’s a critical, ongoing need for their school communities.

Your generosity, and that of many others, allows the Children First Fund to continue directing funding equitably to schools, students, and families with urgent needs, including:

• School resources including school supplies, classroom updates, culturally relevant books and calm corners, social emotional learning supplies, transit cards, and more.
• Direct assistance for families experiencing extreme hardship, including job loss, death of a caregiver, displacement due to fires, and other emergencies.
• Support for newcomer students – such as newly-arrived migrant students – and others in temporary living situations
• Aid for graduating seniors to help with post-secondary costs like entrance exams, deposits, textbooks, and travel. Read about recent recipients of postsecondary support on CFF’s blog.
• Hygiene Care Closets stocked with personal care items to support student health and wellness.

• Resources for school communities who have been impacted by neighborhood or household violence

Thanks to your generosity, the Compassion Fund has reached hundreds of schools and tens of thousands of students and families, helping to ensure that every student is prepared, supported, and ready to succeed.