
CME Group Foundation helps today’s students keep pace with dramatically evolving technology, creating a workforce for the future that is equipped with the skills to meet tomorrow’s global challenges. By bringing together the brightest minds in education to generate fresh approaches to math, computer science and personalized learning, we are sparking system-wide change that benefits all students, from cradle to career.
They will shape the future of the world’s most important industries, including our own, so we give them the tools they need to achieve their full potential.
Our Goals
As part of our work at CME Group Foundation, we strive to achieve the following goals:
- Empower innovative partners
- Create change through collaboration
- Work to transform systems
Kindergarten Readiness
CME Group Foundation seeks to improve kindergarten readiness by increasing the KIDS assessment scores for Black, Latinx and low-income children in Illinois. After investing $11.7 million in early math education over the past eleven years, the Foundation Board decided to expand our early childhood education focus to include all three domains measured by the KIDS assessment.
Unfortunately, many children don’t get the help they need to build a strong foundation for learning, as indicated by the Kindergarten Individual Development Survey (KIDS) administered annually by teachers across the state. In the fall of 2019, only 35 percent of our state’s white kindergarteners were deemed to be starting kindergarten ready in all three areas observed: early math, language and literacy, and social emotional development. Yet that was still 12 points higher than the figure for Black children and 18 points higher than that of Latinx youngsters.
We believe that all young children should have access to vibrant, playful and supportive educational experiences that affirm who they are and prepare them to thrive as they continue their education. While Illinois has made substantial gains over the past several years in universal Pre-K, the KIDS assessment scores still need improvement so that all young children are kindergarten ready in all three domains.
Early Math Education Initiative
The Foundation’s Early Math Initiative (2009-2020) was designed to provide educators with the knowledge, confidence and tools to teach and inspire children from infancy through elementary school about the world of mathematics. Over a decade, Early Math Education Initiative funding totaled $11.3 million. The initiative bolstered professional development for teachers of young children, improved family engagement in the learning of young children and influenced early childhood mathematics policies. For more about the initiative, see the 2019-20 report below.
A Decade in the Making: Early Math Education Initiative Seeks Broad Impact
K-12 Education Program
The Foundation helps prepare K-12 students for success in college and careers by using technology to personalize learning and assist with computer science education.
CME Group Foundation is the largest private funder of Chicago Public Schools’ Computer Science 4 All (CS4All) initiative. The Foundation is pleased to support several other organizations providing research and data analysis for CS4All and out of school time computer science programs.
In addition to K-12 computer science education, the Foundation supports professional development for school leaders and teachers on improving student outcomes by using technology to personalize learning.
Finally, CME Group Foundation is working with Chicago Public Schools and other organizations to improve K-12 financial education ‒ in order to equip students and families with the knowledge, skills, habits and tools that promote their long-term financial health.
Computer Science for All (CS4All)
The Fund
College and Career Success Program
In 2019, CME Group Foundation launched its Foundation Scholars Program. Twenty-five students received a scholarship of up to $20,000, renewable for three years. Now adding 15 new students a year, the program is open to low-income, underrepresented Black and Latinx students majoring in finance, computer science, information technology, math, cyber security, data science, statistics or financial engineering. For university partners with 4+1 programs (bachelor’s degree in a technical field and a one-year master’s in finance), students can apply for three years of support in junior, senior and master’s years.
CME Group Foundation’s 2021-22 partner schools are:
- DePaul University
- Illinois Institute of Technology
- Loyola University Chicago
- National Louis University
- Northern Illinois University
- Saint Xavier University
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
- Stevens Institute of Technology
- University of Illinois-Chicago
- University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
In addition to the scholarship program, the Foundation provides operating support grants to a number of nonprofit organizations that work with Chicago’s low-income and minority students to insure post-secondary degree or certification attainment and transition to a strong first job in the field in which they majored, plus research and policy organizations serving that goal. The select organizations have a track record of success in providing research that is needed and utilized by the field and/or successful policy work that has advanced priorities of the post-secondary and career success fields.
Meet the New CME Group Foundation Scholars
In 2019, the CME Group Foundation established a scholarship program for underrepresented minority college students studying finance or technology. The CME Group Foundation Scholars Program is unique in that the scholarships are earmarked for sophomores, juniors and seniors to ensure that they can finish their four-year degrees.
The CME Group Foundation recently hosted a two-part lunch and learn session for the 15 new additions to the 2021 – 2022 CME Group Foundation Scholars program. Prior to day 1’s event, students were asked to prepare elevator speeches where they stated their interests, what they’re studying and their hopes for the future. Each student thanked the CME Group Foundation for the support they have received, and some expounded on what the experience will enable them to accomplish. Sergio Palomino, a rising Senior at the University of Illinois, explained that the scholarship will “enable me to focus 100% on school. During my Freshman year, I faced many financial hardships and had to take a break from my studies. This scholarship will allow me to focus all of my energy on my courses.” The intros were followed by an overview session on CME Group and its role in risk management hosted by Curt Zuckert from Global Account Management, as well as a Q&A session about CME Group.
The Day 2 event featured a diverse panel of employees who discussed their career journeys and role responsibilities. This was followed by a presentation by both our Recruiting and Technology teams on applying for internships (both summer and year-round) and entry level positions. Current CME Group Foundation Scholar and Human Resources Intern Zion Powell offered a unique perspective to the new scholars. Zion, a rising Senior at Saint Xavier University, spoke about what the program has meant to him, as well as the opportunities it has afforded him. His advice to this new batch of scholars? “Keep making connections” he says. “The more people you have in your corner, the better!”