As we thought about how to expand our charitable reach as a company, we realized our mission didn’t encapsulate everything we wanted to do within Good Will Works. Our mission is bigger than shelter —it’s about strengthening communities as a whole, so the people who live there can lead healthy and prosperous lives.
The Baird family has a strong history of being committed to helping communities across Chicago and Chicagoland, and that commitment continues today. On top of our regular funding, the Baird family has pledged to donate $75,000 every year to the Good Will Works fund to directly support three causes: Financial Empowerment, Fair Housing and Fair Lending Initiatives and Racial Equity in Chicagoland.
Chicagoland isn’t just where we work — it’s our home, and helping that community thrive is part of our DNA. And we know we can make a more lasting impact when we partner with organizations on the front lines of helping our communities.
We know that large donations make a bigger impact with charitable organizations. That’s why we’re pledging to use the $75,000 donation from the Baird family to give $25,000 grants each to organizations that promote financial empowerment, racial equity and fair housing initiatives.
Funding fair housing, racial equity initiatives and financial empowerment means we can help provide more opportunities for people to gain the tools and skills necessary to achieve and maintain homeownership.
Our current partner for racial equity is the YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago and for financial empowerment we're working with the Spanish Coalition for Housing. Our Fair Housing partner is the Chicago Area Fair Housing Alliance (CAFHA). Please check back here and on ONE for opportunities and ways you can get involved directly with each of these organizations.
On top of your individual and office giving, each year we have companywide volunteer events and campaigns so you can get involved with people from across the whole company. Click here to learn more about our upcoming events!
The John Baird Scholarship Fund
Good Will Works and the Stephen W. and Susan M. Baird Foundation have committed $215,000 to an endowment fund to establish the John Baird Scholarship Fund for a law student committed to fighting for fair housing at the UIC Law’s Fair Housing Legal Support Center & Clinic. The annual scholarship covers the one-semester course and clinic for one law student.
Named for our late president John Baird, a fierce advocate for fair housing, this scholarship supports law students passionate about making housing more equitable through pro bono work at the clinic.
Students who work with the clinic gain valuable experience in providing legal counsel to clients and working in the public sector. We’re thrilled to be able to support the students, the clinic and our community, all at the same time.
“This is an investment in our collective future as it empowers motivated law students to pursue a career in making housing more equitable, and to ensure everyone has the same access and opportunity to live in the neighborhood they choose to without any barriers.”
— Steve Baird, President and CEO
Here are some of the ways we've given back as a company, through volunteer projects or companywide campaigns like 24K of Solid Good.
To see more of what we did in 2023, check out the 2023 Annual Report.
Right now, almost 90% of our company is opted in to contribute to Good Will Works! Opting in allows you to take advantage of our volunteer and monetary matching grants all year long and for every donation the company contributes on your behalf. For more details, please visit our FAQs.
Not sure if you're contributing? Agents are automatically opted in. If you have any questions, please talk to your manager to find out for sure. If you're an employee you can opt in right now. Just click here.
Did you just attend a volunteer event with your office or participate in some other charitable outreach as a team? Click the button below to share photos and let us know what you've been up to!
