The Chicago Community Trust, our region’s community foundation, partners with donors to leverage their philanthropy in ways that transform lives and communities. The Trust, together with its donors, grants more than $160 million annually to nonprofits working to develop new audiences to sustain the region’s vibrant arts organizations, protect the human services safety net for the most vulnerable residents in the region, stem the devastating effects of foreclosures on our neighborhoods, elevate teaching to meet world-class standards, and improve conditions for healthy and active lifestyles. By connecting the generosity of donors with the needs of the community, the Trust ensures that our region thrives today and for future generations.

The Chicago Community Trust established the William J. Cook Scholarship Fund to assist male high school seniors from Cook County, Illinois who plan to continue their education in college programs. Renewable scholarships are offered each year for full-time study at an accredited four-year institution of the student’s choice.

The program is administered by Scholarship America®, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarship, tuition assistance, and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. Eligibility for individual programs is determined at the sole discretion of the sponsor, and eligible applications are reviewed by Scholarship America’s evaluation team. Awards for this scholarship are granted to eligible recipients without regard to creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or national origin.