Chance the Rapper Announces New Chance Arts & Literature Fund
Less than a month after donating $1 million to Chicago Public Schools, Chance the Rapper announces even more philanthropic initiatives to help his hometown.
On Friday (March 31), Chance hosted a press conference at Paul Robeson High School in the Chi, where he launched a new fund to help students starting this fall.
“To ensure that more students have access to the arts and enrichment education, I’m excited to announce the creation — in collaboration with the Children’s First Fund — the New Chance Arts & Literature Fund,” he said.
Beyond this announcement, Lil Chano also confirmed that the Chicago Bulls donated $1 million to CPS, matching his initial donation. In all, Chance said that he’s raised “a tangible $2.2 million for the kids.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx491ByNWlI
Earlier this month, Chance’s Social Works non-profit donated $10,000 to 10 different schools. Now, he says the organization will donate $10,000 to 12 more schools, thanks to new donations from the likes of comedian Hannibal Buress, Justin Bieber’s manager Scooter Braun, and Sky Zone.
During a Q&A portion of the press conference, Chance said he didn’t want the money to be used solely for music and arts. “It’s about supplies and equipment for arts and…reading, science, to attack all sides…Music is a big deal, but don’t marginalize me. It’s not just about arts and stuff.”
On March 6, Chance announced his $1 million donation with the hopes of helping Chicago Public Schools receive more funding after Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner vetoed a bill that would have given CPS an additional $215 million in state funding.
“This donation was made possible by my fans, through ticket sales for my upcoming tour and an unprecedented coordination from Live Nation, AEG, and Ticketmaster, competing corporations who were able to band together,” he said. “Also with independent promoters and venues across the country — to use funds from ticket sales to donate to CPS…I’m honored to make this donation to Chicago Public Schools Foundation and help cultivate Chicago creative minds.”