Chance the Rapper Donates $1 Million to Chicago Public Schools

Chance held a press conference at Westcott Elementary this morning and made a huge announcement!

Chance The Rapper made a huge announcement at his press conference at Westcott Elementary School in Chicago today. At his press conference, Chance discussed his strongly felt opinion on funding public schools and announced that he will be donating $1 million dollars to Chicago public schools, as well as donating $10,000 to different public schools in the city for every $100,000 he raises for his non-profit organization Social Works. He ended the conference by giving the first $10,000 check to Westcott Elementary where the conference was held.

“I am proud to announce I’m donating one million dollars to Chicago Public Schools for arts and original programming,” said Chance as attendees gasped and applauded. “This donation was made possible by my fans,” he said, citing ticket sales as the main resource from which he was able to pool the money. He also went on to thank Live Nation, AEG, Ticketmaster and other various independent promoters nationwide for their “unprecedented coordination” in helping those sales happen. Ticket sales from Chance's upcoming tour, as well as funding from Live Nation and others will contribute towards the $1 million donated.

Chance met and spoke with Governor Bruce Rauner last week about the school system and other issues Chicago is facing. Chance revealed at the conference that the conversation with Rauner was not as effective as he hoped it would be. Moreover, Chance stated that he was dissatisfied and unimpressed with Rauner's "vague" answers, and at one point during the conference sent him a message: "Do your job!"

“Our kids should not be held hostage because of political position. If the governor does not act, CPS will be forced to end school 13 days early, which means over 380,000 kids will not have adult supervised activities in June and could be placed in harm’s way,”  stated Chance, in efforts to bring attention to the wild rates of violence in his city. “While I’m frustrated and disappointed in the Governor’s inaction, that will not stop me from doing all I can to help Chicago’s most valuable resource, Chicago’s kids. I’m honored to make this donation to help cultivate Chicago’s creative minds. I’m committed to Chicago’s children having quality learning experiences.”

Chance the rapper saw his donation as a step in the right direction to take action. “Illinois ranks dead last in the U.S. in funding public education. With the stroke of a pen, the Governor has the power to change that,” said the Grammy award winning rapper. This isn’t about politics; this isn’t about posturing; this is about taking care of the kids. “Governor Rauner, do your job.”

Chance the Rapper ended the conference with a heartfelt statement of ‘Thank You’s’ and an invitation for everyone to take action towards the progression of Chicago Public Schools. “I thank every person in Chicago for building me into the person I am. I’m a public school kid, so I thank CPS. I know we’re in our troubles right now, but we’re about to get past this. I just ask at every turn, at every level, that everyone has a voice and a hand in this. That goes out to the highest level people, the organizers, the parents, the teachers. Thank you for raising me up and supporting me. I’m gonna need a little more help to get this done.”