Spirit of Giving Award
Each year, Communities In Schools of Chicago presents the Spirit of Giving Award to both a community partner and a school partner who consistently go above and beyond to positively impact the lives of Chicago public-school students.
Spirit of Giving Award winners largely do this work under the radar – day in and day out – simply because it is the right thing to do. In 2026, the Spirit of Giving Award was presented to:
School Partner
Kimberly Scott, Guidance Counselor, Ronald Brown Elementary Community Academy
Ms. Scott is a counselor at Ronald Brown Academy on the Far South Side. She wants her students to access meaningful opportunities that deepen their learning, expose them to new experiences, and make her school an enriching place.
During the past two years, Ms. Scott has leaned on CIS to connect her school with 30 programs through our network of more than 200 community partners.
Just this year, Common Threads led weekly cooking classes at Ronald Brown. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources took students on an educational fishing trip. Argonne National Laboratory visited the school for a STEM presentation. Chicago Survivors ran workshops for students who had experienced gun violence. And the Shedd Aquarium and Pulitzer Center led professional development opportunities for teachers.
“By connecting us with essential resources, vibrant programs in the arts, and memorable field trips and events, CIS ensures our students have the well-rounded, inspiring educational experience they deserve,” Ms. Scott said.
Community Partner
Cradles to Crayons
For 11 years, Cradles to Crayons has partnered with CIS of Chicago to help Chicago students and families access the essential, everyday items they need to thrive. Through our partnership this year, their team served 6,630 students.
Cradles to Crayons’ scale and flexibility are part of what makes them stand out. They are always responsive to the needs of students and families and ready to adapt to requests from schools.
When they received this year’s Spirit of Giving Award, Cradles to Crayons shared a framed copy of their first packing order in 2016, which was for CIS of Chicago. It consisted of clothing, a hygiene kit, and a school uniform. During their speech they spoke about how their partnership with CIS has supported their growth and ability to meet the increased need for basic amenities.
