We’re reflecting on the meaningful progress happening across our community. From students reaching new academic heights to nonprofit leaders strengthening their skills, the work we’re doing together is creating lasting change in the Greater Aurora Area.
Ready for the Future — Students Rising to the Challenge
In September 2024, the Dunham Foundation awarded $2 million to four nonprofit organizations to launch the Ready for the Future initiative, targeting nearly 3,000 students in grades K–12 through tutoring and enrichment that enhance academic and social-emotional experiences in and out of the classroom.
Gaps in educational achievement existed before the pandemic and widened because of it. We’re committed to providing funding that equips students with tools to surpass their potential throughout their academic journeys and careers.
With $1 million committed this year to extend three programs through summer 2026, we’re seeing real momentum. A fourth program at West Aurora School District continues to integrate the high-dose tutoring approach into the District’s regular academic programming during school hours. This integration aligns with the District’s new literacy curriculum and maintains its partnership with last year’s educational tutoring provider for summer and after-school programming.
Measurable Progress, By the Numbers
Lutheran Child and Family Services in partnership with Creating Spaces and Talented Tenth
22 students benefited from homework help integrated into a comprehensive, structured 10-week program supporting social-emotional development and personal growth throughout the 2024-25 school year and 27 during summer 2025.
The Wong Center for Education
317 students across 17 middle and elementary schools gained hands-on STEM opportunities through the STEM Ignition program. Designed around 11 STEM concepts and guided by clear learning objectives, the program strengthened student knowledge, confidence, and identity in STEM while building critical thinking, perseverance, and relationship skills.
Urban Youth Ministry – a program of Wayside Cross Ministries
63 students received after-school programming, with 16 participating in tutoring through Huntington Learning Center—three of whom are now exceeding grade-level expectations.
West Aurora School District
20,503 student session enrollments and 478 unique students engaged in one or more tutoring sessions.
These programs strengthen core skills — primarily in reading and math — while nurturing social-emotional growth and helping students close the post-pandemic learning divide across the Greater Aurora Area.
Please note: Information provided reflects the 2024-25 academic year and Summer
Leading the Way — Empowering Nonprofit Leaders Through Aurora University Partnership
At the start of 2025, the Dunham Foundation announced a game-changing partnership with Aurora University, delivering a much-needed boost to the local nonprofit ecosystem.
The program targets two critical groups: emerging leaders with nonprofit experience but limited business training, and corporate executives needing nonprofit sector expertise.
The Leading the Way: Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program launched in summer 2025, welcoming participants from 21 nonprofits across the Dunham Foundation Service Area.
Over 10 weeks, leaders strengthened their expertise in:
- Comprehensive nonprofit business operations
- Enhanced resource management
- Strategies for organizational sustainability
- Tools to assess and tackle unique organizational challenges
Graduates emerged equipped to fuel growth, streamline operations, and advance their organizations’ missions—while building lasting peer networks and gaining ongoing support for navigating sector challenges.
Feedback has been outstanding: 80% of participants rated the program “excellent” overall, and 100% reported gains in leadership and management skills.
The enthusiasm from the first cohort sparked demand for deeper learning. The Dunham Foundation responded by funding an advanced workshop at Aurora University, tailored specifically for graduates ready to dive into priority topics.
With over 80 candidates competing for Cohort 1 spots, interest is soaring. Cohort 2 kicks off in Spring 2026.
The Dunham Foundation is proud to support programs like this that strengthen leadership capacity, close skill gaps, and amplify an organization’s impact across our community.
