Read the Annual Report 2008 PDF.
Click here to hear U.S. Senator Dick Durbin talk about the importance of IEF Scholarships.
Click here to watch the "Newsmakers" video about the IEF airing on CNN Headline News.
Read the Chicago Sun-Time article on the IEF: "Program Invests in Student Success". PDF
Read the Chicago Social article on the IEF's First Annual Food & Wine Tasting Event. PDF
Press Releases
IEF FIRST ANNUAL FOOD & WINE TASTING EVENT
Contact: Michael Golden
Phone: 312-920-9605
Email: michaelgolden@iledfoundation.org
Chicago, IL (August 2008) —
IEF First Annual Food & Wine Tasting Event
ISAC GRANT WILL HELP PSC NURSING STUDENTS OVERCOME "SPEED BUMPS", COMPLETE THEIR DEGREES
Contact: Michael Golden
Phone: 312-920-9605
Email: michaelgolden@iledfoundation.org
Chicago, IL (March 2008) —
ISAC Grant Will Help PSC Nursing Students
College graduates are 50% less likely to smoke or get divorced
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE IEF
Contact: Michael Golden
Phone: (312) 920-9605
Email: michaelgolden@iledfoundation.org
Chicago, IL (October 2007) —
The Challenge.....The Solution
YEAR END EVENT
Contact: Michael Golden
Phone: 312 920 9605
Email: michaelgolden@iledfoundation.org
Chicago, IL (June 2007) —
IEF's YEAR- END EVENT CELEBRATES SCHOLARS' 97% SUCCESS RATE !!
Today the Illinois Education Foundation (IEF) celebrates the overwhelming sucess of the students from its DMK Scholarship Program at an annual year-end event taking place at Costa's Restaurant in Greektown. This year's scholars far surpassed even the organization's expectations with 97% of them qualifying to renew their scholarships this fall. By comparision, the average rate of completion and transfer among Illinois community colleges students is 43%. The students being honored are part of one of the unique IEF scholarship programs, which focuses on students attending community college in Illinois and takes a 360 degree approach by providing funding, mentoring, tutoring and other academic support services to give students the best possible chance of success.
Author and award-winning former national correspondent for the New York Times, John W. Fountain keynotes this luncheon honoring IEF scholars who have excelled in their programs at the CCC over the last school year and who have now graduated, are transferring to four- year colleges and universities, or are continuing their studies at the CCC. Scholars are joined by their mentors, college advisors, CCC administrators, and IEF staff, all of whom played a valuable role in their successes. "We are extremely proud of our scholars. These men and women are living proof that hard work and determination, supported with coaching, mentoring, academic and finanical assistance, are keys to sucess in college," says IEF Executive Director, Katonja Webb.
"We had a theory that if we targeted students who really wanted help, who often don't qualify for scholarships but who arguably need it the most, if we gave them more than just funds but also provided guidance and support, that it would make a significant difference. After two academic years, the results are in, and the program works," says co-founder David Scherer. "We hope to keep duplicating this effort across the state with the help of the legislators and business leaders who have already endorsed this groundbreaking effort to provide life changing support to disadvantaged students and ultimately, effect positive social change, " adds co-founder Michael Golden.
"I have possibilites now, " says scholar Carlene Foster of the IEF Scholarship. "I have a lot more choices to do what I want to do."
"I always thought I would never see the inside of a college," explains IEF Scholar Rashida Cooper. "Now I want to get a bachelor's in marketing and a master's in entrepreneurship. Now that I have started school, they're gonna have ot kick me out to pull me out."
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IEF FACT SHEET
The Illinois Education Foundation was founded in 2003 by businessman David Scherer and political strategist Michael Golden with the goal of providing funding and support to an Illinois population of disadvantaged students who are often overlooked by mainstream scholarship programs.
The Illinois Education Foundation provides "last-dollar" scholarship funding and academic support services for students attending community colleges in Illinois.
IEF Scholarships leverage public dollars (MAP and Pell) by providing tutoring, mentoring, academic advising, and cost of living stipends to enable more students to enroll in and graduate from college.
Since its inception, the IEF had provided scholarships to 46 students at the City Colleges of Chicago.
THE IEF has plans to expand the program size and reach to extend across the state beginning in fall 2007.
The IEF has already secured support from the following partners in the private sector: Atlantic Turst, Buddy Pictures, Inc., Chico & Nunes, PC, Daniel M. Kerrane, Jr. Foundation, DBS Partners, DoubleTake Design, Fran and Otto Walter Foundation, Harris Family Foundation, HSBC, Imbibe, Inc., MEER Development, Mesirow Financial, Shiner Group, Sonnenschein, Roseenthal & Nath.
The IEF has also formed an advisory board which is comprised of some of the state's top political leadership, including State Representative Eddie Acevedo, U.S. Representative Melissa Bean, Governor Rod Blagojevich, State Representative Tom Cross, U.S. Representative Danny Davis, U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr., State Representative David Miller, and U.S. Representative John Shimkus.
Program Results
The IEF is proud to report its best results to date. As of the Acdemic 2006-7 Year:
IEF scholars completed the spring semester 2007 with a 97% renewal rate (30 of 31students are eligable to renew for Fall 2007). This is compared to the current 43% completion and transfer rate among Illinois community college students.
The IEF has provided financial assistance and educational support to 34 students.
The IEF achieved an 88% sucess rate (30 of 34 students were "successful") The IEF defines success by: 1) staying enrolled in one's program of study with a GPA of 2.5 or above, or 2) transferring to a four-year (and maintaining a full-time course load and 2.5 GPA), or 3) graduating with an Associate's degree or certificate from a community college.
The IEF increased the renewal rate of this year's cohort-students who entered the program thie year-by 30 percentage points, from last year's 57% renewal rate to this year's 87% renewal rate.
The IEF offered more than 290 hours of tutoring to its scholars.
College graduates are 50% less likely to smoke or get divorced