Chicago Sports Alliance Continues to Support Local Efforts with Grant to Laureus USA

Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox extend Chicago Sports Alliance support for seventh consecutive year and announce 2024 grant recipients, includes Laureus USA’s Sport for Good Chicago 

In honor of National Gun Violence Awareness Month in June, the Chicago Sports Alliance (CSA) recently announced it will provide a total of $1.5 million in grants to six local organizations that directly address the issue of gun violence in Chicago, including Laureus USA’s Sport for Good Chicago coalition. 

The CSA was established in December 2017 with support from the Robert R. McCormick Foundation as a collaborative effort between the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox to lend financial support and team resources to local, evidence-based solutions to gun violence. 

“Chicago Sports Alliance’s belief in the power of community-based organizations to affect change is one shared by Laureus USA. Sport for Good Chicago was initially formed in 2018 with the backing of the Chicago Cubs Charities, and we’re thrilled to have this work continue to be recognized by pro sports teams in Chicago in such a visible way,” said Ben Schornack, Director of Sport for Good Chicago. “We believe that sport has been a historically undervalued tool in finding solutions to gun violence. Through sport, young people can make connections with friends and positive adult role models, and participation in sports creates space for young people to experience empowerment, healing, and collective joy in the face of overwhelming stress and trauma. All of these things are proven to be protective factors which reduce the likelihood of a young person committing or being affected by gun violence.” 

Since its inception and including this year, the CSA has invested $7 million in evidence-based programs. The McCormick Foundation has contributed an additional $3 million in matching grants since 2019 – for a total of $10 million in funding. 

 “By building awareness of effective solutions to gun violence in Chicago and promoting community-based organizations, the Chicago Sports Alliance hopes to increase local engagement and support of these six organizations,” said Sonia Mathew, Director of Partnerships at the McCormick Foundation. “We’re honored to support new organizations in this year’s grant cycle, Laureus Sport for Good and Metropolitan Peace Initiatives.” 

About Laureus Sport for Good USA

Laureus USA is a non-profit, grant-making organization that works to improve the lives of youth and unite communities through the power of sport. Since 2012, we have impacted the lives of over one million youth by investing $33 million in sports-based youth development organizations around the country that unleash the power of sport to enhance physical and mental health, improve educational and employment outcomes, and address critical social justice issues. Laureus USA is a member of the global Laureus network, which includes 7 National Laureus Sport for Good Foundations, 1 Global Foundation, the Laureus World Sports Academy (and Ambassadors), and the Laureus World Sports Awards.