The Reason Behind Chance The Rapper's $1 Million Donation

03-07-2017
chancetherapperwiki

You could say, Chance the Rapper is putting his money where his heart is. The Grammy winning Chicago native wrote a $1 million check to the city's public schools. 

He made the announcement Monday at a news conference inside Westcott Elementary School, mere blocks from his old neighborhood on the South Side. 

Chance told reporters, "This check that I donated is a call to action. I am challenging companies and corporations in Chicago and across the US to donate and to take action."

The donation came after the rapper's failed talks with Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner. Their dialogue began on Twitter, after Rauner tweeted congratulations to Chance on his recent Grammy win. 

They later spoke by phone. Then Chance met with the governor Friday. But photographs and video of Chance following that meeting showed a visibly frustrated young man. 

Chance the Rapper promised to use the weekend to come up with a plan. And Monday he told reporters, "Governor Rauner still won't commit to giving Chicago's kids a chance without caveats or ultimatums.

"Our kids should not be held hostage because of political position."

In December, Rauner vetoed legislation that would have given the Chicago Public Schools System $215 million to ease its pension burden. 

That veto triggered district cuts, a budget freeze and furloughed employees.

Chance's gift didn't end with the $1 million. In his challenge for others to raise money for the district, he promised to donate $10,000 for every $100,000 raised.

Those matching funds will come from Social Works Chicago — which Chance co-founded.

The $10,000 will go directly to specific public school in Chicago. The first $10,000 went to Westcott Elementary, which hosted the news conference. 

Blog Keywords: 

Blog Posts: 

Studio 5