Skender’s 2024 Charitable Giving Advances Causes in Affordable Housing, Medical Research, DEI, Career Training and More

Skender, a leading construction firm dedicated to serving communities through charitable giving and social action, donated over $400,000 and volunteered countless hours in 2024 to a variety of foundations, organizations and civic programs.

Philanthropic giving is nothing new to Skender, which over the last 15 years has donated nearly $10 million to hundreds of non-profit organizations. In 2024, Skender contributed to more than 70 charities, including the Alzheimer’s Association, the American Cancer Society, Art for Life Chicago, the American Heart Association, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Over the Rainbow, Camp Out for Kids, and Habitat for Humanity.

“Skender continues to build a legacy of integrity within the communities it serves,” said Lisa Latronico, Chief People Officer at Skender. “Fostering positive change and impact is a key pillar of our culture. As a builder, we understand our impact on the environment and our communities, and feel a responsibility to raise up our people and our business by forging relationships and making charitable contributions that drive progress.”

Skender’s 2024 philanthropic highlights include:

ACE Mentor Scholarship: In partnership with ACE Mentor Chicago, a non-profit focused on introducing high school students to the fields of architecture, engineering and construction, Skender awarded two scholarships to students in 2024.

Almost Home Kids: Every year, Skender employees work with Almost Home Kids to buy wish-list gifts and spread holiday joy to families and children facing medical complexities.

Chicago Veteran Winter Stand Down: In honor of Veterans Day, Skender’s DEI committee organized an employee volunteer day to help serve meals and distribute clothing to local veterans experiencing hardship and homelessness.

Cristo Rey Corporate Work Study Program: Skender believes in fostering relationships with non-profits and schools that provide apprenticeship opportunities to their students, especially in cases when this helps to lessen the financial burden for students who could not otherwise afford a college prep experience. In 2024, Skender was proud to offer two students from Cristo Rey High School in Pilsen employment.

Genesys Works: For the seventh consecutive year, Skender partnered with the non-profit Genesys Works to provide pathways to career success for high school students in underserved communities. Currently, Skender has one student going through the program and is providing college tuition assistance and employment for two graduates of the program.

Habitat for Humanity: In service to Habitat for Humanity’s ‘Women Build’ program, Skender raised a record-breaking $75,000 in 2024 for the global non-profit housing organization. Additionally, Skender hosted a large Women Build fundraiser event and Skender team members joined the Habitat for Humanity build-day event to build homes for families in need of housing.

Knockout Cancer: Skender’s Tony Scott entered the boxing ring to support the Reaumond Foundation and help raise money for pancreatic cancer patients, families and research. Skender was also the presenting sponsor of the event.

Revolution Workshop: To raise awareness about job opportunities in commercial and multi-unit residential construction, Skender hosted a series of Revolution Workshops at several jobsites, which allowed participants to shadow workers and see how specific jobs function. Additionally, Skender regularly participates in interview days for Revolution Workshop cohorts to prepare them for real-life interviews upon graduation. As part of its DEI goals, Skender annually sponsors a graduate from Revolution Workship, a Chicago trade school or other non-profit organization for membership in the Carpenters, Laborers, or Painters union. This year, Skender is sponsoring a Revolution graduate who joined the Carpenters Union.

Superheat: Featuring Skender’s Dan Ulbricht on guitar and Courtney Boatwright on vocals, the charity band Superheat has a rich history of performing at fundraising events. The band has helped raise millions of dollars for charitable causes and organizations, including Music Will, Memory Rock for the Alzheimer’s Association, City of Hope, Gilda’s Club and Habitat for Humanity.

Women in Construction: Skender is dedicated to creating opportunities for employment, growth and advancement for women in the construction industry. Through the leadership of Chief People Officer Lisa Latronico, who was recently named a 2024 Globe St. Woman of Influence in the Diversity Champion category, Skender increased its share of women in the workforce to 18.33% in 2024.