About Us

Why We Exist: Too many brilliant students are held back by systemic barriers and not their potential. In the communities we serve, only 38% of Chicago Public School students finish college within four years. The Calahan Foundation has had outstanding success at closing this gap. Over 92% of our scholars finish college within four years. We support highly unique and often overlooked students. Those whose promise may go unseen but whose drive runs deep. By removing financial burdens, surrounding them with consistent mentorship, and opening career pathways, we do more than help students get into college. We help them thrive through it and beyond. We believe every student has the potential to be a scholar. Our role is to meet them with care, invest in their journey, and walk beside them as they rise.

Our Mission

The Calahan Foundation invests in highly unique high school students across Cook County who face systemic barriers to success. Through four years of scholarships, mentorship and career cultivation, we do more than fund education. We lend a hand to build futures. Calahan Scholars rise with distinction, equipped with a network that champions their growth from promising students to thriving professionals.

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Calahan Values

At the Calahan Foundation, we hold fast to values that shape every step of a scholar’s journey. We believe that by instilling a deep sense of purpose and strong character, our scholars are equipped to lead with integrity in the classroom, their communities, and beyond.

Integrity

Grit

Persistence

High Character

Our Mission

Our Impact

The proof is in our scholars' success. With strong mentorship, financial access, and a broad, consistent network of support, Calahan Scholars perform at a higher pace compared to their peers. They graduate at higher rates, serve their communities, and embody the values we champion. What starts as a hand up becomes a lifetime of impact for our scholars and for Cook County.