Illinois stories

• Girls Opportunity Alliance
• Watch

See how Praize Productions, Inc. nurtures girls’ talent, self-expression, and life skills through performing arts.

• Watch
• Girls Opportunity Alliance

Watch how the Girls Opportunity Alliance supports girls through mentorship programs in Chicago.

• Girls Opportunity Alliance
• Chicago

The Girls Opportunity Alliance supports M.E.A.N. Girls Empowerment's new Resource Van and the state of Illinois declares first Girls Health Matters Day.

• Health & Wellbeing
• Chicago

These Chicago organizers want you to check in on your neighbor

• Barack Obama
• Event

• Chicago
• Youth

This week, President and Mrs. Obama returned home for a series of events on the South and West Side of Chicago

• Building the Center
• Chicago

After years of hard work, dedication, and endless support from our Chicago neighbors and caring people all around the world, we broke ground on the Obama Presidential Center. Check out highlights from the ceremony.

• Watch
• Chicago

Take a few minutes to watch how Frederick Douglass made Jackson Park a part of Black history—and catch up on how we’ve honored Black history all month long.

• Barack Obama
• Chicago

With NBA All-Star weekend coming back to Chicago, you could be sure President Obama wouldn't miss it.

• Building the Center
• Chicago

After the completion of a careful federal regulatory review process, we’re thrilled to announce that we plan to break ground on the Obama Presidential Center in 2021!

• Chicago
• Community Engagement

From attending crucial city council meetings to sharing their hopes for their communities at events and dinners across the city, our neighbors are helping us bring the Obama Presidential Center and our work in Chicago to life.

• Barack Obama
• Watch

President Obama stopped by the Greater Chicago Food Depository with Foundation Chief Engagement Officer Mike Strautmanis to pack food for families in need across the Chicago area.

• Watch
• Barack Obama

Watch President Obama share his vision for the Obama Presidential Center during a surprise visit with supporters and stakeholders—a vision for a public space that will honor history, help revitalize the South Side, and connect people throughout the communi

• Newsletter
• Chicago

David Simas sends a message to the Obama Foundation email list announcing the story of our first year — the annual report for 2017.

• Newsletter
• Community Engagement

As the 200 emerging African leaders we brought together as part of our Leaders: Africa convening to exchange ideas on how to create positive change in their communities carried out a service project to celebrate Mandela Day, we did the same right here in C

• Chicago
• Community Engagement

It was a big day for us at the Foundation as we hosted our first-ever Chicago Community Conversation to bring together people doing incredible work for communities throughout the City.

• Community Engagement
• Building the Center

The Obama Presidential Center will serve as a hub on Chicago’s South Side to inspire and train the next generation of civic leaders

• Event
• Chicago

Whitney Kimball Coe, coordinator of the National Rural Assembly, joined us at the first-ever Obama Foundation Summit in Chicago.

• Watch
• The Arts

This afternoon, Chance the Rapper shared the message below with the Obama Foundation email list announcing that he will be teaming up with us to creative direct the concert at the conclusion of the inaugural summit on November 1st

• Building the Center
• Equality

By Jamie Clare Flaherty, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Obama Foundation

• Listen
• Chicago

We asked you to share songs that remind you of home and inspire you to be involved in your communities. From India to Indiana, you delivered.