The Walter Family Reaffirms Longstanding Philanthropic Commitment and Forcefully Rejects False and Defamatory Claims

CHICAGO, Sept. 20, 2026  /PRNewswire/ -- The Walter Family today reaffirmed Mark and Kimbra Walters' (the "Walters") longstanding commitment to philanthropy and the organizations, causes and communities they have supported for decades.

Recent media speculation suggesting that the Walters are not fulfilling their philanthropic commitments, including claims that changes in the funding structure of certain organizations reflect a broader need to conserve cash, is false and easily disproven. Their philanthropic strategy has not changed, existing financial commitments remain in place, and they are fully committed to ensuring the organizations they support have the resources necessary to fulfill their missions. These false narratives are irresponsible and create unnecessary uncertainty for the thousands of young people, families and communities those organizations serve.

For more than two decades, Mark and Kimbra Walter have committed hundreds of millions of dollars to organizations and initiatives focused on serving under-resourced communities, expanding educational opportunity, and protecting wildlife and the ecosystems that sustain them. That commitment is not slowing down. The Walters intend to contribute hundreds of millions of dollars more in the years ahead and will continue standing behind the causes and institutions that have defined their philanthropic work for decades.

The Walters' philanthropy has also been strengthened by longtime partners who share the same conviction and commitment.

"Liz and I have worked alongside Mark and Kimbra Walter in several of these efforts, including The Academy Group from its earliest days, just as they have stood alongside us in causes we care deeply about," said Don Thompson, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cleveland Avenue, LLC. "That kind of partnership is not episodic or transactional. It is built over years through shared values, trust and a commitment to expanding opportunity in ways that endure."

An Enduring Commitment to Impact

Across their giving, the Walters have focused on building institutions that expand opportunity, strengthen communities, and sustain impact beyond annual donations. That approach is visible across organizations and initiatives including:

• The Academy Group: an opportunity program committed to closing the opportunity gap — based on the premise that with equal access to resources, students from the most challenging backgrounds will outperform those from the most privileged communities.
• Chicago Beyond: a national philanthropic organization that seeks to build a world in which every individual, regardless of zip code, has equitable access to opportunities.
• Cleveland Avenue State Treasurer Urban Success Initiative: a $70 million impact initiative launched by Cleveland Avenue to help bridge the capital and resource gap for Black, Latinx and women-owned businesses in underserved communities on Chicago's South and West Sides.
• LA Rises: a central place where Angelenos can find resources, learn about the status of recovery and rebuilding across sectors, and get trusted information from government resources, community organizations, and neighborhood leaders who are working in partnership to support the recovery of our shared hometown.
• OneGoal: partners with high schools and colleges in low-income communities to ensure college and postsecondary planning, preparation and support are no longer extracurricular luxuries but integral components of the high school experience for all students.
• Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation: tackling the most pressing problems facing Los Angeles with a mission to improve education, health care, homelessness and social justice for all Angelenos.
• MetroSquash: combines academic support, enrichment opportunities and the competitive game of squash to empower students to make their mark on society.
• Chimp Haven: the world's largest chimpanzee sanctuary, home to nearly 300 chimps formerly used in biomedical research.
• White Oak Conservation: a state-of-the-art, scientific education and conservation center in Northern Florida focused on saving and recovering populations of rare species, building assurance populations, researching animal health, convening experts and educating the next generation of conservation experts.
• Bubye Valley Conservancy: one of the healthiest and most productive ecosystems, and largest employers, in Zimbabwe.
• Ongava Game Reserve: considered one of the premier private game reserves in Namibia, enjoying global recognition for exceptional conservation, groundbreaking research and exciting safari adventures.

In addition to their direct social impact and conservation efforts, the Walters have extended their commitment through longstanding leadership and support of educational, cultural and civic institutions:

• Mark Walter serves on the board of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, as a director of The Field Museum, and as a trustee of Northwestern University and Creighton University.
• Kimbra Walter has an active role in several Chicago nonprofit and cultural institutions. She has served and serves on the boards of trustees of Lincoln Park Zoo, OneGoal and the Goodman Theatre, in addition to her work with TWF Causes' social impact and conservation initiatives.
• The Walters also established the Walter Family Foundation Scholarship Fund at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law to expand access to legal education for students with demonstrated financial need.

The Academy Group: One Commitment, Up Close

The Academy Group ("TAG") is one of the clearest examples of what the Walters set out to build. Established in 2017 with an initial investment from the Walters, who continue to serve as lead investors, TAG operates a long-term college-to-career model for young people from underserved communities. Beginning as early as fourth grade, TAG provides sustained academic, financial and career support, including tutoring, high school and college advising, paid internships, professional development, workforce training, scholarships and student-debt assistance. See TAG's 10^th year program kick-off LinkedIn post here.

Today TAG's reach and results include:

• Nearly 1,500 young people served across Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles and Boston;
• A 90% six-year college graduation rate among members in TAG's traditional pathway;
• TAG college students attending nearly 100 colleges and universities across the country, with students eligible to receive up to $25,000 in college stipends; and
• 200 paid internships this past summer through partnerships with nearly 100 companies, nonprofits and Black-, Brown- and women-led startups.

Shayne Evans, Founder and President of The Academy Group, commented, "What TAG has been able to accomplish with our members demonstrates what is possible when young people receive sustained support and access to opportunity. Nearly a decade into this work, our belief remains unchanged: talent is everywhere, and our job is to help make sure opportunity is, too. Our ambition is to ultimately reach 20,000 young people, and with Mark and Kimbra and our broader community of supporters behind us, we remain focused on expanding our reach and creating pathways to economic mobility and wealth at a much greater scale."

"CFI has been proud to support The Academy Group by helping build a financial foundation for its work over the long term," said Levoyd Robinson, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of CFI Partners. "At its core, this is about creating an institution that can grow its reach, expand opportunities for young people and make a meaningful difference in their lives. Our relationship with TAG was designed to create economic value that could help fund its mission and reduce reliance on traditional annual giving over time. We believe that model can provide TAG with greater financial independence and an enduring platform to serve young people for generations."

The Work Continues

The record of the Walters' philanthropy is reflected in the institutions they have helped build, the partnerships they have sustained and, most importantly, the people and communities those efforts serve. That work continues today and will continue well into the future.

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SOURCE The Walter Family