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Fundraising Event

2021 Annual Luncheon

April 22, 2021

Presented by LaSalle Network and the Zell Family Foundation, our Luncheon welcomed more than 3,000 individuals from coast to coast to celebrate the transformational power of starting early.

Our virtual Annual Luncheon celebrated the transformational power of starting early through inspiring stories from families, educators, corporate leaders and early learning advocates.

This year’s complimentary program demonstrated the lasting impact that early learning can have on molding the future of our youngest children and confirm that starting early matters to all families — regardless of race, background, geography or income. We hope our virtual 2021 Luncheon acts as a reminder that when we come together and invest in early childhood education, we can transform the lives of our future generation. If you were unable to join us, you can watch a recording of the full program below.

Investing in early learning and care programs and the people who provide them must be a priority as we rebuild our nation. When we come together to do so, we will transform the lives of our future generations.

Give Now

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Thank You to Our Generous 2021 Annual Luncheon Sponsors!

Presenting

$100,000

LaSalle Network logo Zell Family Foundation text treatment

Champion

$50,000

BMO Harris Bank logo Peoples Gas logo Related Midwest logo

Nancy & Steve Crown
The Crown Family
The Hasten Foundation
Diana & Bruce Rauner


Premier

$25,000

Allstate Logo Satter Foundation logo Wintrust Bank logo


Leslie Bluhm & David Helfand
Anne & Don Edwards
Doug & Diane Oberhelman
Cari & Michael Sacks
Diana & Michael Sands
Catherine Siegel


Partner

$10,000

Susan & Stephen Baird
Better
The Boeing Company
Noelle C. Brock
Brock Family Foundation
Jacolyn & John Bucksbaum
Buffett Early Childhood Fund
CME Group
Cummins
Marilyn & Larry Fields
Mr. & Mrs. Rodney L. Goldstein
Cabray Haines & David Kiley
Harris Family Foundation

Linda & Bill Friend
Caryn & King Harris
Stephanie & John Harris
Toni & Dr. Ronald Paul
Pam Friend Szokol

ITW
The Malkin Family
Alexandra C. & John D. Nichols
Nicor Gas
Northern Trust
PNC
Julie & Brian Simmons
Sunshine Charitable Foundation
Ulta Beauty
Wilson Garling Foundation


Community

$5,000

Alberding Family Foundation
Jessie & Nick Alberding
Ellen Alberding & Kelly Welsh
Ann & Robert H. Lurie
Children’s Hospital of Chicago
Baird
Bank of America
Boston Consulting Group
Jimmy & Eleni Bousis
Sarah Bradley & Paul Metzger
Joan & Bill Brodsky
The Burns & McDonnell Foundation
Dana Hirt Parenting
Erikson Institute
Vicki Escarra
Fiducient Advisors
Terri & Bob DiMeo
Fifth Third Bank
Maxwell Gunnill
Rachel & Devin Gross
Irving Harris Foundation
Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Justine Jentes & Daniel Kuruna
Gerri & David Kahnweiler
Sandy & Andrew Killion
Dayna Langfan
Learning Resources
Elaine & Donald Levinson
The Morris & Dolores Kohl Kaplan Fund of
The Dolores Kohl Education Foundation
Sharon Oberlander
Virginia Oviedo & Michael Ojeda, Midan, Inc.
Plante Moran
Isabel & Charles Polsky
Protiviti
Tom & Cece Ricketts
Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Annie Rothkopf
Saul Zaentz Charitable Foundation
Shah Family Charitable Trust
Cheryl & Craig Simon
Ken & Kathy Tallering
Anne & John Tuohy
Susan & Robert Wislow
Zebra Technologies