Our Mission
The Wentcher Foundation’s mission is to increase educational and economic opportunity by empowering talented Chicago graduating seniors with bold dreams to achieve a college education.
Our Vision
All Wentcher scholars will realize their aspirations to make a significant impact in Chicago and beyond.
Our Core Values
Scholar-Centered
We prioritize the needs and aspirations of our scholars, tailoring our programs and support to help them thrive
academically and personally.
Equity
We believe in equitable access to educational opportunities for all students of high character and strive to level the playing field to enable equal representation for students with the capacity to succeed.
Community Engagement
We actively cultivate a
strong sense of community and encourage collaboration and active participation in making a difference, both within our organization and in the communities we serve.
Integrity & Excellence
We operate with unwavering
integrity ensuring transparency, honesty, and accountability in all our interactions and decisions; and strive to achieve excellence in providing programs and services based on data to support our scholars’ success in obtaining a college degree.
Stewarding Ernie’s Legacy
We are dedicated to fulfilling our fiduciary duties and embodying Ernie Wentcher’s visionary legacy by empowering scholars to excel academically and forge paths of significant, enduring change in their communities, ensuring his entrepreneurial spirit and impactful contributions resonate for generations.