9. Liz Lefkofsky: Giving and Believing in Teens... The VING Project

Liz Lefkofsky is a social philanthropist committed to championing initiatives that enhance the quality of human life. She has dedicated her professional career to various philanthropic initiatives, starting as a young child helping stuff envelopes in support of the American Brain Tumor Association, which her mother founded. From there, Liz served in numerous non-profit roles at Gallery 37, now known as After School Matters, and the Printers Row Book Fair. In 2006, Liz and her husband Eric established the Lefkofsky Family Foundation where she serves as president, advancing high-impact programs, initiatives, and research in the areas of education, women’s health, medical research and the arts. Liz spearheaded a unique partnership between Chicago Public Schools and the University of Chicago to create a performance-enhancing curriculum called Success Bound that aims to redesign the middle school experience to give all middle school students preparation for high school and beyond. She also founded the VING Project, an initiative that empowers teens to support people in their communities that could use a financial boost.The VING project is a national movement sparking the next generation of givers. Through VING, teens have an opportunity to give an individual in need an encouraging boost by surprising them with $1,000. We started The VING Project to empower teens to make a difference in the lives of those around them. From the organization: "By providing [teens] with small grants to give to people in need, we hope to provide an opportunity for them to experience the joys of giving – that feeling you get when you take the time to care about someone else who may be vulnerable. We hope we are giving teens more than just a $1,000 check to donate to someone in need. Our desire is to bestow young people with the confidence to lead with generosity and compassion. We recognize that more important than monetary donations is the consideration of others and the community around you. Our family is constantly inspired by the thoughtfulness and kindness we see from the VING community. With teenagers of our own, we see the power and influence that young people hold today. We hope the VING Project is a vehicle that allows teens to continue their journey of making the world a kinder, better place."In 2013, Liz and her husband became signees of the Giving Pledge, deepening their commitment to philanthropic causes. She also serves as a board member for the Museum of Contemporary Art, Peer Health Exchange, and Ravinia.Liz is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin - Madison and currently lives in the suburbs of Chicago with her husband and three children. To learn more, go to: https://lefkofskyfoundation.com/