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Help Send Chicago Students to College - Prepared and Confident

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Ada S McKinley Community Services is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, and your donation is tax deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. Please keep your receipt as your official record. We'll email it to you upon successful completion of your donation.

Ada S. McKinley’s College Preparation & Placement Program has been changing lives since the 1960s, when it was founded by the late Silas Purnell. His pioneering work helped thousands of Chicago students secure financial aid and admission to colleges nationwide. Today, our Educational Services team continues that legacy, beginning as early as 6th grade, with a full continuum of support: academic advising, tutoring, mentoring, college tours, career exploration, application and financial aid assistance, and more.

In 2008, former Chicago Bear Revie Sorey joined Ada and introduced our Trunk Scholarship initiative. After learning that many students arrived on campus without the essentials like bedding, towels, school supplies, and dorm room basics, he made it his mission to ensure no student started their college journey unprepared. Since then, hundreds of Trunk Scholarships have helped first-year college students start strong, focused on success rather than stress.

In 2024 alone, Ada helped students secure over $20 million in scholarships and financial aid. But this funding does not cover everything, and that is where YOU come in.

We need your support now more than ever. Make a gift today and help equip this year’s graduating seniors with the tools, supplies, and confidence they need to thrive in college. Let’s send students off with everything they need and show them their community is behind them every step of the way. Donate now. Invest in their future.

Questions? Please contact Lauren Youngblood at 312-221-9303 or lyoungblood@adasmckinley.org. For information regarding program sponsorship, please see our sponsorship packet. 

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Fully Stock a Trunk

Sponsor one complete Trunk Scholarship. Your generosity ensures a college-bound student receives everything they need to begin this next chapter, equipped, empowered, and ready to thrive.
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Power Their Potential

In today’s academic world, a reliable laptop is not a luxury, it’s a necessity. Your gift helps ensure a student can research, write, and connect from day one.
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Set Up for Success

Cover the cost of academic supplies like notebooks, pens, backpacks, and tech accessories. With your support, students start the semester prepared to learn and succeed.
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Comforts of Home

Provide a student with dorm room basics like towels, pillows, and laundry supplies. Your gift helps create a welcoming, functional space as they adjust to college life.
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Confidence & Care Kit

Your gift provides first aid products, shower supplies, and personal care items, essentials that promote health, dignity, and self-confidence on campus.
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