The Impact

Strategic
Partnership

the academy group

CFIP is economically aligned with The Academy and actively participates in their mission. The Academy uses the profits from its economic interest in CFIP and other companies to provide sustainable financial support for their operations. This enables CFIP to deliver on our goal to provide opportunities and guidance for underrepresented young people, while developing a diverse pipeline of talent for our firm and the industry broadly.

The Academy was founded in 2017 and is led by Shayne Evans. Shayne is the former CEO of the University of Chicago Charter School and managing director of the University of Chicago Urban Education Institute.

CFIP Takes an active role in the Academy’s mission to

A portion of CFIP’s profits have historically gone towards funding the Academy Group.

CFIP employees regularly participate in the Academy Group’s programs teaching Academy Students about the financial industry and often hosting them in our office for a more immersive experience.

CFIP provides internship and ultimately job opportunities for qualified Academy Group students.

Support

A portion of CFIP’s profits have historically gone towards funding the Academy Group.

Educate

CFIP employees regularly participate in the Academy Group’s programs teaching Academy Students about the financial industry and often hosting them in our office for a more immersive experience.

Develop

CFIP provides internship and ultimately job opportunities for qualified Academy Group students.

The Academy and its sponsor businesses identify, train, mentor, and provide educational opportunities to Chicago area students. They partner with public elementary and high schools to serve a pipeline of underrepresented students. From 4th grade through college, the students participate in a sequence of experiential business and justice curricula with full immersion in the academic programmatic cannon. Upon program completion, students qualify for a $20k scholarship.

Since initiating the model in 2017, the Academy Group’s investment is seeing significant returns. When compared to Chicago Public School students, Academy Group students see a 23% higher graduation rate, 46% higher college enrollment rate, 28% higher college persistence rate, and a 28% higher grade point average.

The Academy is demonstrating a model for identifying, developing and sustaining a diverse pipeline of future leaders, employers, and change agents.

Source: www.theacademygroup.com; Academy Group Overview 2021-2022

"Together, we will transform the way the nation sees diverse talent: From the Exception to the Exceptional"

— The Academy Group