Headquartered in Chicago, Skender is widely regarded for its visionary work on office, retail, housing, healthcare, education, community, and research and development projects. Thoughtful, strategic, hands-on leadership has developed the company into a market leader and a strong supporter of the local community throughout its more than 60 years of growth and innovation.

 

The 2019 accomplishments of Skender's philanthropic arm, Skender Foundation, were a direct result of its supporters’ actions. From the continuation of Skender Foundation’s first endowment fund to unprecedented success at its two fundraising events to an impactful volunteer day, it was truly a great year.

 

Through the Skender Foundation endowment fund, the organization’s partnership with VOCEL continued through a multi-year grant totaling $150,000. VOCEL is a nonprofit organization in Chicago dedicated to jumpstarting children’s brain development with cutting-edge parent coaching and innovative early learning rooted in language development and social-emotional support.

 

The nonprofit’s two signature fundraising events, Summer Eclipse and Harvesting Hope, raised more than $450,000 and highlighted Little Wish Foundation and Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. The funds raised were dispersed to the highlighted organizations and other nonprofits in the Chicagoland area that drive efforts towards improving health, education and wellness.

 

Skender Foundation hosted a wonderful Volunteer Day at Skender’s new manufacturing facility. In partnership with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, volunteers came together to build 50 bunk bed frames to provide accessible, stable and safe beds for 100 children in need. In December, the nonprofit’s annual holiday gift drive benefiting Almost Home Kids capped off a great year.

 

Founded in 2012 as a 501(c)(3) public foundation, Skender Foundation believes that all people should have access to resources and relationships that help them make good life decisions. It also believes giving should be fun and uniting. Each year in downtown Chicago, Skender Foundation hosts two prolific fundraising/awareness events that connect business professionals and charitable organizations in seeking positive change. Equally important, it understands that just donating money isn’t enough. To sustain community education and wellness, we must also invest ourselves – our time, our care, our compassion and our ideas. Only by directly engaging positive change can we create a culture of giving and feel the impact of its rewards. Each year, Skender makes a generous donation and underwrites all operating expenses of Skender Foundation, which allows the nonprofit to focus entirely on its charitable giving. For more information on Skender Foundation, visit www.skenderfoundation.org.