Nicor Gas Foundation makes four-year $1 million commitment to United Way of Metro Chicago

The Nicor Gas Foundation has made a four-year $1 million commitment to United Way of Metro Chicago in support of the expansion of their Neighborhood Network Initiative, with a special focus on growing workforce development through these Networks.

The commitment was announced on Wednesday, March 15, at the Elgin Neighborhood Network launch event with lead partner agency Alignment Collaborative for Education.

The establishment of this Neighborhood Network empowers local leaders to identify and solve issues important to their community.

"The Nicor Gas Foundation is honored to join United Way of Metro Chicago to advance equity in education through this network with a multiyear commitment," said Wendell Dallas, president and CEO of Nicor Gas. "As the founding supporter of the Elgin Neighborhood Network, we are proud to work in partnership with Alignment Collaborative for Education to provide workforce training opportunities and job readiness programs to better prepare high school students to pursue fulfilling careers."

As a leading supporter of community-driven efforts, United Way of Metro Chicago launched its Neighborhood Network Initiative in 2013 as an "inside-out," place-based approach to neighborhood transformation.

A decade later, this community-led strategy has gained momentum and garnered millions of dollars in support from philanthropic partners, including Nicor Gas. Nicor Gas and its foundations partner with nonprofits across Illinois to make a meaningful impact by supporting families' basic needs, enabling economic opportunity and protecting the environment.

At the Elgin Neighborhood Network, Alignment Collaborative for Education will lead the vision and work to address critical student needs in Elgin Area School District U-46.

The district estimates that more than 30% of its students live through multiple adverse childhood experiences and approximately 60% of its students are low income.

Backed by the Nicor Gas Foundation's investment, Alignment will address these issues by guiding the Network's focus on increasing early education preparation, building trauma-informed care school cultures and ensuring students leave high school prepared for the global workforce.

To learn more about Nicor Gas' commitment to the community, visit www.nicorgas.com/community.