Congratulations to our 2024-25 CME Group Foundation Scholars!
In August, CME Group Foundation announced that 18 historically underrepresented students majoring in finance, technology and other related fields have been awarded up to $20,000 each, renewable for three years. With this addition to our cohort of renewing Scholars, the Foundation is providing scholarships to 35 students at 11 partner colleges and universities for the 2024-25 academic year. Since its launch in 2019, the CME Group Foundation Scholars Program has awarded over $3.5 million in scholarships to more than 100 talented college students.
“Through our Foundation and other initiatives, CME Group is committed to supporting future leaders in our community by providing financial assistance and career development opportunities,” said Terry Duffy, CME Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and CME Group Foundation Trustee, “We congratulate this year’s recipients and wish them well as they go on to pursue college degrees debt-free that will lead to careers in finance, computer science and technology.”
Greenwood Project Rings Opening Bell at New York Stock Exchange
On August 6, seven students and two alumni of the Chicago organization and Foundation grantee Greenwood Project rang the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange. Click here to watch the video.
Greenwood Project creates career pathways in the finance industry for youth of color through intensive career development programs and internship placements. CME Group Foundation has supported the Greenwood Project since 2021, most recently with a two-year grant to support the organization’s college internship program, which provides students with advanced training in financial analysis and critical career skills, then places them into paid internships with Greenwood Project’s partner companies while providing all travel, housing, technology and wardrobe needs. To date, approximately 200 students have completed programs with the Greenwood Project.
"Ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange alongside our scholars was an unforgettable experience. It marked a powerful milestone, underscoring the impact of Greenwood Project’s mission to open doors for Black and Latino college students in financial services," said Kwesi Smith, CEO of Greenwood Project, who was in attendance at NYSE, along with board chair Sizwe Kamara. "We’re proud that 70 percent of our alumni are now thriving in the industry and 95 percent are in high-trajectory careers."
Watch a clip of Smith’s interview with NYSE TV
Chicago Learning Exchange Collaboration Opportunity
The Chicago Learning Exchange (CLX) serves as a backbone of support for over 150+ youth-development organizations in Chicago through partnerships, training and leadership investments. We believe those closest to the challenges have the solutions to drive greater equity in the Out of School Time (OST) ecosystem in Chicago.
Chicago Learning Exchange offers a free membership program that brings together educators and mentors from 100+ youth-serving organizations in Chicago and provides:
- Free training opportunities focused on the unique needs of OST professionals
- Monthly gatherings on topics from the Chicago OST community, ranging from burnout and self-care, to racial equity to recruiting youth program participants
- Tools, resources and youth opportunities to bring back to your organization and opportunities to amplify your organization’s offerings
- Networking and relationship-building opportunities with other Chicago youth-serving organizations from the hyper-local to the citywide
- A community of OST professionals working to make this field more sustainable and more impactful for Chicago’s youth
Interested organizations can join the CLX community and connect with youth-serving organizations across the city by completing this application form. For any questions, please reach out to Allison Shackleford at ashackleford@chicagolx.org.
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