News Release
at The Chicago Public Education Fund
Amy L. Kruss, Director of Development & Communications
(312) 558-4503

March 9, 2007


Venture philanthropy earns prestigious award for excellence in communications
The Chicago Pubic Education Fund receives silver award for website

CHICAGO-For the second year in a row, The Chicago Public Education Fund received a Wilmer Shields Rich Award for Excellence in Communications from the Council on Foundations for its website.

The award program showcases the ways foundations and corporate giving programs use communications strategies and techniques to advance their grantmaking goals. The Fund received a silver award for its website, in the Community and Public Foundations with assets between $5 million and $20 million category. Entries were evaluated based on four sets of criteria: overall outcomes and impact; message and design effectiveness; organization of content; and outreach and distribution strategies. Last year, The Fund received a bronze award.

“The work submitted by The Fund consistently demonstrates its commitment to public accountability and effective communications," said Steve Gunderson, President and CEO of the Council on Foundations.

“We strive for excellence in everything we do,” said Janet Knupp, Founding President of The Fund. “Wilmer Shields Rich was an early champion of public accountability by charitable foundations. We understand that we must be honest and forthright; transparency is critical for success. This extends to our website, as well.”

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As a venture capital fund for public education, The Chicago Public Education Fund is an unprecedented catalyst for improving school leadership and student achievement system wide. Launched by a group of corporate and civic leaders, The Fund brings private sector dollars and expertise to high-impact programs aligned with Chicago Public Schools priorities. Find out more at www.cpef.org.

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