Michelle Obama is giving back to the city that shaped her by expanding support for organizations working with girls across Chicago.
Through her Girls Opportunity Alliance, an initiative of the Obama Foundation, the former First Lady announced a $500,000 commitment to 10 Chicago organizations focused on empowering girls and young women.
The funding is expected to reach more than 2,200 girls between the ages of 10 and 19, supporting programs focused on mental health care, arts training, athletics, refugee support, mentorship and more.
The announcement came as nearly 100 Girls Opportunity Alliance leaders gathered in Chicago for the organization’s 2026 network convening, where leaders discussed ways to strengthen collaboration and expand opportunities for girls.
The latest investment builds on the Alliance’s ongoing work in Chicago, where it has supported grassroots organizations serving girls, particularly on the city’s South and West Sides.
As Obama said in the ESSENCE exclusive, “I’ve seen firsthand what happens when girls have the support, encouragement, and opportunities they deserve.”
The initiative is another chapter in Obama’s continued commitment to creating greater opportunities for girls in her hometown.
Source: @essence
