Leading real estate firm grants one student full-ride scholarship to one of city’s top-rated schools

CHICAGO – March X, 2019 – For over 20 years, local real estate firm Magellan Development Group has been a committed partner to programs that provide access to educational opportunities, with efforts led by President David Carlins and Chief Marketing Officer Robin Loewenberg Tebbe. Since 2014, the firm has granted seven scholarships to top-ranked private school GEMS World Academy to at-risk students participating in Chicago Youth Programs.

As a continuation of Magellan’s support and passion for funding education initiatives across the city, it is adding another organization – Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) – to its current lineup of charitable partners, further engraining the firm in the fabric of Chicago’s non-profit landscape. Magellan will reward one BGCC student a four-year high school scholarship to GEMS World Academy.

“Having been involved with BGCC for five years, I knew that extending our Magellan scholarship program to BGCC members was a natural fit for us,” says Loewenberg Tebbe, who sits on the BCGG Women’s and Corporate Board. “The organization’s efforts to help emerging youth recognize their true potential is imperative, and we couldn’t be happier to support this scholarship.”

Carlins adds, “Furthering education for unprivileged youth has been an important philanthropic focus for us for many years. Aligning with organizations like BGCC can only expand our footprint. We want youth to be seen, heard and receive the opportunities they deserve.”

This will be the first four-year high school scholarship awarded by the organization, as GEMS –a private K-12 school – will be completing its upper school in this spring to offer even more scholarship opportunities to deserving local youths.

“One of the challenges of private independent schools is accessibility,” says Thomas Cangiano, head of school, GEMS World Academy Chicago. “The Magellan Scholarship program makes it possible for talented young students to have the opportunity to study at one of the top independent schools in Chicago. And we get the benefit off all that these students have to offer our community. It is truly a win-win situation.”

The scholarship recipient will be hand-selected by GEMS later this year, and Magellan’s involvement in the program will be announced at BGCC’s annual “Youth of the Year” awards reception on Thursday, March 7 in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier. The “Youth of the Year” award recognizes one exemplary member in the areas of leadership, service and academic standing, and the reception will celebrate the success of BGCC members, efforts of its staff and powerful impact of its programs.

“We are grateful to Magellan Development for the extraordinary opportunity to have one of our members receive this scholarship,” said Mimi LeClair, President and CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago. “As BGCC is committed to the academic success of each of its young members, we depend on partners like Magellan who value the transformational effects of a world-class education and invest in developing our country’s future leaders.” For more information on Magellan Development Group, please visit: www.magellandevelopment.com.