Girls Opportunity Alliance announces $500,000 commitment to empower girls in Chicago

In January 2023, Mrs.  Michelle Obama, announced a new commitment to empower and uplift girls in Chicago. The Girls Opportunity Alliance distributed a total of $500,000 to 14 Chicago-based girl-serving organizations. In addition to funding, the Alliance is providing organizational support to girl-serving organizations across the city of Chicago through the Girls Opportunity Alliance Network of more than 4,000 leaders around the world who will benefit from capacity building workshops, Obama Foundation programming, and advice shared by the Obamas.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to share that the Girls Opportunity Alliance is expanding our work right here in my favorite city,” said Michelle Obama. “From providing mentorship and leadership training, to empowering girls through sports and dance, to preparing them for a future career through work-study programs, these grassroots organizations are making a difference in girls’ lives in Chicago.” 

This holistic approach will benefit thousands of adolescent girls who, like Michelle Obama, call the South and West Sides of Chicago home.

The Girls Opportunity Alliance's new expansion aligns with its mission to empower adolescent girls by lifting up grassroots organizations, using public awareness to drive action, and providing high level engagement opportunities for girls. This targeted effort in Chicago builds on the Alliance’s prior engagements in the city, including engagement opportunities for girls in Chicago, focus groups with leaders who are serving girls across Chicago, and roundtable discussions between youth participants, leaders, and the Obamas.