Support and service to an organization you believe in is not just something that we ask of the Near North Montessori community; it is a core lesson we teach our students beginning at the earliest level and continuing through their journey at Near North. These experiences shape them, and they leave Near North ready, willing, and able to contribute to society through a lifetime of leadership and service.

We ask Near North families to engage in this same lesson. Through gifts of time, talent, and resources, families show meaningful support of the school and the work we do.

 

Fundraising Priorities

The Near North Fund: Better Together.

That’s what we mean when we talk about values like diversity and inclusion, empathy and compassion, cultural competency and respect, or responsibility and community. To be a Near North family is to stand in solidarity with the parents, children, faculty, and staff — and to give of yourself, in order to make room for others at the table.

Every Family. Every Year. Every Child Grows.

The Near North Fund is the school’s top fundraising priority. Every year we ask every family to make a gift that is meaningful to them to support every student. It supports the people and programs that make Near North Montessori such an exceptional place.

Contributions to the Near North Fund are the most direct way to support the school, and immediately support our community by providing vital unrestricted dollars for Montessori Program Excellence, Faculty and Staff Support and Financial Aid.

What is the Near North Fund?

The Near North Fund is an annual appeal which relies on the generosity of alumni, current families, and faculty & staff to bridge the gap between tuition and operational expenses. In particular, the annual appeal funds instructional materials, program support, technology, professional development, and facility maintenance.

As with all peer independent schools, the funds raised through an annual appeal are essential to supplementing the resources necessary to carry out the Montessori mission of educating every student to reach their inherent potential. 

This year’s goal is 100% parent participation. Please join us in supporting the 2022-23 Near North Fund. Every single gift, regardless of size, is valued and appreciated.

 

 

Near North Fund Strategy

A venn diagram with three circles: Scholarship, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Near North Community

 

 

More Fundraising Priorities

 

 

Stories from our Community

Dawn and family
Big Night 2022: Let's Talk about Growing Together

Big Night is NNM’s largest fundraising event that raises critical dollars for the Scholarship Program. Each year, we come together as a community, enjoy a great party, bid on extraordinary items and experiences, and, most importantly, raise money to support the 15% of our deserving students who need financial support. We ask every family to participate in some way because only together can we ensure that all families have an equitable experience here at Near North.

Philanthropist
You are a Philanthropist

Near North is a Montessori school within the city of Chicago, AND it is a non-profit organization. 

Inherently, as a part of this incredible community, you and your family are Near North Montessori Ambassadors. We are all philanthropists. Your role in our community is essential in establishing our Culture of Philanthropy and Community of Care. 

Kent Carey, Big Night Parent emcee
Everything Felt Like a Risk

With 5 virtual events and over 400 registered participants, Big Night 2021 was more than just a Big Night — it was a Big Week supporting scholarship for our deserving students.

 

 

Ways to Give

Planned Giving
Near North students in the urban garden
Make a Tribute Donation
Near North student arranging flowers

 

 

Your Partnership has an Impact

$180,007

in gifts $1k or less for the 2019-20 giving year

$1.17 Million

granted in financial assistance

2,236 Individual Gifts

received in the 2019-20 giving year

Students with a teacher

We consider our time at Near North as one of the most valuable and enriching times for our entire family—yes, the priority was nurturing and educating our children but, as parents, the friendships and communities formed were invaluable and continue to this day.

- Alumni Parent

 

 

Parent-School Partnership

Student holds a globe in a classroom

"One of the things I most love about NNM is the home-school partnership. As a teacher, you put your heads together with the parents and work together to guide the child to become their best self. Many of the relationships that you strike up with the student and their family are long-lasting and go beyond your years together."

- NNM Faculty Member

The parent-school partnership among home, school, and the community

In keeping with Dr. Montessori’s goal of making the world a better place for all humanity through education, it is incumbent upon us to prepare our students to be tomorrow’s ethical leaders. Our students consider the interests of others when making decisions and consider the impact of their decisions on the larger community. Our community of parents, faculty and staff models ethical stewardship and promotes an empathetic and compassionate outlook. NNM promotes a culture of high academic standards, strong moral and ethical values and a passion for learning and self-fulfillment.

 

If you have any questions, contact the Development Office at 773.269.6239 or giving@nnms.org.
Near North Montessori’s tax ID# is: 36-2535895