Chicago Shares Makes 2023 Grants and Elects New President

​Founded in April 1993, Chicago Shares is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. At its annual meeting this past April, its board of directors was pleased to make grants to six Chicago non-profits that provide help to those who are experiencing homelessness or food insecurity. 

To mark the 30th anniversary and to honor three decades of volunteer service to Chicago Shares by its president, Ron Polaniecki, the board named this year’s awards as the "Ron Polaniecki Chicago Shares 2023 Grant Award.” Those receiving the grants are (1) Care for Real, (2) Young Men’s  Educational Network, (3) Mission of Our Lady of the Angels, (4) St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish, (5) Pope Francis Center, and (6) Dion’s Dream. 
 
At the same meeting, the board also elected King Poor as its new president. King is a longtime Chicago lawyer who retired as chair of the appellate practice group at the firm of Quarles & Brady LLP. Also, for many years, King has represented clients pro bono in their federal and state court appeals and continues that practice at Quarles & Brady. 

King succeeds Ron who has served as president since 2017. Ron will continue as board secretary. John Bradley will continue as treasurer.  

Julie Stagliano continues to serve as the volunteer executive director, a post she has held since 2000.  

Since its founding 30 years ago, Chicago Shares has distributed over 1 million vouchers in Chicago, and since 2021, in Evanston.