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Chance the Rapper Makes Good on Promise to Keep Helping Chicago School System, Raises $2.2M

Posted byBy Kiersten Willis | Published on: CommentsComments (0)

Chance the Rapper keeps up his commitment to Chicago Public Schools. (Hannel90seconds Newscom screenshot)

Chance the Rapper promised thankful Chicago students there was more behind his generous $1 million donation and revealed an after-school program was in the works.

“To ensure that more students have access to the arts and enrichment education, I’m excited to announce the creation, in collaboration with the Children’s First Fund, the New Chance Arts and Literature Fund,” Chance said at a Friday, March 31, press conference at Paul Robeson High School in Chicago.

The New Chance Arts and Literature Fund is an after-school program designed to provide arts programs and resources to schools that have been affected by budget cuts and lower graduation rates. Monies will begin being put to use in the 2017-2018 school year.

“As a parent and a proud [Chicago Public Schools] graduate, I’m committed to helping Chicago’s children have quality learning experiences and equality in the learning space,” Chance said at the gathering captured on Perioscope. “As an artist and an after-school teacher, I know the arts are essential. They teach students valuable lessons.”

Chance, who gave a $1-million donation to budget-depleted CPS after his failed meeting with Gov. Bruce Rauner last month, said the Chicago Bulls heeded his call for corporations to provide funding.

“I’m extremely honored to call the Bulls a partner on this,” Chance said. “I’m proud of their overwhelming immediacy and being willing to help. Youth education is a key focus area for the Chicago Bulls and the team’s longstanding relationship with CPS.”

Other donors include comedian Hannibal Buress, Usher’s manager, Scooter Braun, and corporate sponsor SkyZone. In total, Chance said “a tangible $2.2 million” has been raised for CPS.

The rapper also remarked on his nonprofit SocialWorks granting of $10,000 to 10 schools. With the $2.2 million donation, 12 more schools will receive funding for arts, enrichment and any of their other needs.

“We all individually play roles in the betterment of Chicago’s kids,” Chance said. “It’s a longstanding conversation that’s been going on about the detriment of Chicago, but we can all get really involved here.”

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