Community

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:

American Heart Association 1.5-mile walk - A group of employees have helped the American Heart Association each year as it raises more than $1.5 million during the three-day event.

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.

Chicago Cares - Employees have volunteered through this nonprofit organization with a calendar of volunteer-based events, aimed at community improvement. Last year, the William Blair & Company team (dozens of employees as well as family and friends) painted classrooms and hallways at the Rosenwald School during the 13th Annual Chicago Cares Serve-a-thon, the largest single day of service in Chicago.

Holiday Spirit Program - In 2006, William Blair & Company provided thoughtful gifts to more than 250 needy children through the firm’s Holiday Spirit Gift Drive. Employees provided gifts for more than 220 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.

William Blair & Company Scholarship Program - For the past five years, the firm has provided scholarships for the eighth-grade valedictorian and salutatorian from the Brown Elementary School, located on Chicago's West Side. Firm portfolio managers invest the money in mutual funds and provide financial counseling through the high school years to encourage these children to graduate and use the funds toward college. In 2005, the firm also donated funding for a science hallway mural and computers for the school. Executives from the firm have also acted for multiple years in Brown's Principal-for-a-Day program.

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 2006, with participation of 71%, William Blair & Company's United Way Campaign had another record-setting year, raising more than $848,057 (33% more than the previous year) for area agencies. The money includes $618,319 in contributions and $229,738 in matching grants. The United Way's annual drive helps bring community resources together to focus on key problems and issues and strategically invest in community solutions.