Fifteen years ago, Embarc was founded on a simple belief: a student’s zip code should not determine their future.

Today, students across Chicago explore careers, build confidence, and discover who they can become. They find their voice, their belonging, and a future full of possibility.

Now, those opportunities are at risk.

Due to the loss of public funding and shifts in the funding landscape, Embarc is facing an urgent $1 million funding gap . Without immediate support, programming could stop - impacting thousands of students across 17 Chicago high schools. This is a short-term need—not a long-term deficit. Future funding is already in place. What’s needed now is immediate bridge support.

“Being an Embarc student has shaped me into the person that I am now—and the person I want to be.”

That’s what’s at stake.

Pledge today to help close the gap and sustain these opportunities. 

This is a pledge-based campaign—no funds will be collected unless we reach our goal by May 1st, 2026. Share our story, follow @embarcchicago for updates, and join us by creating your own peer fundraising page to help power this effort.

Thank you for investing in students’ belonging and success.

To pledge by check or ask questions, contact mbenson@embarcchicago.org.