Big Shoulders Fund

School operations: Distributed operating and capital grants to multiple schools to maintain a quality learning environment; also assisted schools in improving marketing/recruiting, building new external funding sources, improving school business operations, etc.

Academic Enrichment and Leadership Development: Big Shoulders administers over 25 ongoing programs in 92 schools involving over 600 teachers and administrators to improve instruction and learning through leadership and professional development, professional learning communities and access to high quality curricula with focus on math, science, civics, and literacy. Provide a variety of other needed capital and programmatic support to ensure a safe, effective learning environment for nearly 26,000 students through ongoing enrichment programs including a science and leadership camp, afterschool programs, summer programs, and other opportunities for students.

Other program services: General academic enrichment activities for students, such as outdoor education, learning about investments and the stock market. Support for schools holding fund-raising events. Supporting volunteer school cleanup and maintenance activities. Grants to schools as designated by donors - agency (pass-through) transactions. In addition, Big Shoulders Fund provides support to students, teachers, and administrators at Catholic schools primarily serving low-income students in Northwest Indiana through a restricted grant. Southeast Side Experience Incubator (SSEI) provides students at St. Francis de Sales High School with valuable life and work experiences in a professional setting utilizing a work study program. Students' academic schedules are modified so that four students share one full-time entry-level job. Work Study hours provide students with an enriched learning experience and is certified by the US Department of Labor.