High Jump Endowment
Expanding Capacity, Creating Opportunity– High Jump’s Endowed Fund for Program Growth and Innovation
Our programs effectively close the achievement and opportunity gaps for young people who have exhibited academic ambition and come from limited economic means. At High Jump, we help learners develop the skills they need to thrive wherever they go. Our curriculum exposes students to culturally relevant literature, rigorous math instruction, and experiential learning to help them prepare for high school, college, and beyond.
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT
Advanced math, science, literature, and humanities classes
SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING
Emotionally supportive environment that teaches non-cognitive skills needed to be successful
HIGH SCHOOL SELECTION
Support for high school including applications, financial aid and scholarships
High Jump scholars and alumni accomplish the following:
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And for every year of High Jump, scholars’ math and reading test scores improve at almost twice the rate of the average middle school student nationally.
What will an Endowment help High Jump do?
Sustain our growth and support our independence
Grow to reach every eligible student in Chicago
Be agile and responsive to opportunities for innovation
“We both grew up in families that greatly valued education as an essential pathway to the future and experienced firsthand the difference that the opportunities afforded by a quality education can make – not just for an individual student but for their whole family. In this moment where investing in the future of our young people has never mattered more, we would ask everyone to think about the role that education played in their own success and join us so that High Jump can serve more students who can get those same benefits and grow into the leaders of tomorrow.”
Georgy Ann and Bill Peluchiwski
Endowment Fund Matching Grant Donors
What does the Endowment help High Jump do?
Our Endowment Fund provides the support High Jump needs to be agile and responsive to opportunities for innovation to serve even more students. Over the next five years, we have a strategic priority to expand our Scholars and Community Scholars programs so we can reach even more middle school students from more neighborhoods across Chicago – with the goal of one day being able to serve every interested and eligible student! Building this endowment fund creates long-term financial security for High Jump, sustaining our growth, supporting our independence, and helping us be here for the next generation of students.
What is the long-term fundraising goal of the High Jump Endowment?
To raise $5M in funds over the next several years, representing two (2) times High Jump’s current annual operating budget. During Fiscal Year 2025, we crossed the $1M threshold, allowing us to begin to draw from the endowment to support our operational budget.
Tell Me About the Peluchiwski Family Challenge Gift
To kick off our Endowment Fund, the Peluchiwski family generously pledged $500,000 as an incentive to launch endowment giving.
- $250,000 after gifts or pledges totaling $250,000 are received (challenge met!)
- $250,000 after 100% of Board members have made their gift or pledge (challenge met!)
Have questions, or want to learn more about making your Endowment gift? Please contact Molly Gilbride, Chief Advancement Officer, at [email protected].
High Jump Annual Report
When we say “invest” we truly mean it.
Each year our scholars receive 300 hours of tuition-free academic enrichment, one-on-one counseling and dedicated support.
The most important part: it works.
2 YEARS
of academic growth per year of High Jump