Chance The Rapper announced Monday that he is donating $1 million to Chicago’s public schools. The donation comes after an unsuccessful meeting with Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner last Friday. According to Chance, the governor gave him "vague answers" when the two met to discuss the governor's decision to veto $215 million originally meant for Chicago public schools.
During a press conference at Chicago's Westcott Elementary School, the Coloring Book rapper said that because his conversations with the governor were unsuccessful, he organized his own fund.
"Governor Rauner can use his executive power to give Chicago's children the resources they need to fulfill their God-given right to learn," Chance said.
In addition to the million-dollar donation, the 23-year-old rapper stated that for every $100,000 raised, his non-profit organization, Social Works, will donate $10,000 to a Chicago public school, beginning with Westscott Elementary. The additional funding will support after school programs and art enrichment programs at each school.
This is not Chance's first attempt at philanthropy. During the fall leg of his Magnificent Coloring tour, he enlisted the NAACP to accompany him at each show to ensure concertgoers were registered to vote. The spring leg of his tour is set to begin on April 24.
"While I'm frustrated and disappointed in the governor's inaction," Chance explained, “That will not stop me from continuing to do all I can to support Chicago’s most valuable resource - its children.”
