Our Community

In the communities that William Blair & Company serves, you will find our people helping out, whether it is our involvement with the Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon, "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day," or our commitment to the American Heart Association, JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge, and the United Way.

Here are just a few of the ways we stay involved:

JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge - A team of several dozen William Blair & Company employees annually competes against other Chicago companies in this 3.5-mile run/walk through Grant Park. The Greater Chicago Food Depository is a direct beneficiary of this amazing event.

Community Service in Education - On several occasions, employees have volunteered workdays and weekends on projects aimed at community improvement. In the past year, the William Blair & Company team (nearly 100 employees as well as family and friends) worked at Stockton School on Chicago's north side. Projects included painting classrooms, hallways, murals, and four square and making an urban garden.

Holiday Spirit Program - In 2009, William Blair & Company provided thoughtful gifts to more than 250 needy children through the firm's Holiday Spirit Gift Drive. Employees provided gifts for wish lists from Lawrence Hall Youth Services and Mercy Home for Boys & Girls. Employees also covered more than a dozen young adults in the AfterCare Program from Mercy Home and provided gift cards for many newly arrived children from Lawrence Hall. Bags of additional gifts, including winter hats and gloves, toys, and gift certificates, were also given.

Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day - In many years, this has included a Q&A session with our CEO, basic financial education, and departmental presentations helping children understand what their parents do at work.

United Way - In 2009, with participation of 82%, William Blair & Company's United Way Campaign raised more than $885,000 for area agencies. The United Way's annual drive helps bring community resources together to focus on key problems and issues and strategically invest in community solutions.

Chicago Summer Business Institute - William Blair & Company annually finances business internships for inner-city high school students, sponsored by the city of Chicago.

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Internship Program - William Blair & Company provides students of this primarily Hispanic high school the opportunity to have real job experiences and allows them to earn a large portion of their tuition costs. The students fill entry-level positions within the firm on a part-time basis and are compensated on an hourly basis.

The Firm and its employees
support more than 250 cultural,
educational, and charitable organizations
throughout the city, state, and country.

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