Golub Capital Social Impact Lab Welcomes The 2026 IGNITE Cohort

The leadership teams of nine Chicago nonprofits will participate in the fourth cohort of IGNITE, a unique program designed to help amplify the impact of organizations serving the communities of Chicago.

The selected nonprofits work to uplift their communities through providing youth mentorship and health, housing services, youth arts and music, education and career services, urban agriculture, food access, and violence prevention.

Established with a significant five-year commitment from Golub Capital, IGNITE is the signature offering of the Golub Capital Social Impact Lab at the Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. The program, developed in partnership with Golub Capital and the Chicago Urban League, offers tailored resources to the leaders of nonprofits serving Chicago’s communities to strengthen and scale the impact of their organizations.

“Our fourth IGNITE cohort brings together nonprofit leaders who are not only doing critical work across Chicago, but who are eager to learn from one another and lead with intention. We are excited to welcome this group and look forward to the energy, perspective, and thought leadership they will bring to the program,” said Tyeise Huntley, director of the Golub Capital Lab.

“High-impact nonprofit organizations play an essential role in serving the communities of Chicago,” said David Golub, President of Golub Capital. “IGNITE brings together the resources, expertise, and collaboration needed to help nonprofit leaders amplify their effectiveness and accelerate their impact. We’re proud to support this fourth cohort alongside our partners at Chicago Booth and the Chicago Urban League.”

The nine-month program includes classroom sessions led by Chicago Booth faculty and nonprofit practitioners, networking opportunities with leading philanthropists and leaders in Chicago, monthly executive coaching, peer discussions in leadership circles, and financial stipends to support capacity-building work. Topics for the classroom sessions include strategy, decision making, and securing and managing resources. Retreats at the beginning and the end of the program help participants build connections and reflect on the shared experience.
 
The program kicks off at the end of January and concludes in September 2026. Applications for the 2026–27 cohort will open in the fall of 2026.
 
To learn more, visit IGNITE.

IGNITE Participants 

Chicago Run promotes the health and wellness of Chicago children through innovative, engaging, and sustainable youth running programs.

Kyra Marcano (Executive Director), Sara Victoria Lopez Zuniga, Juli Cannon

Deborah's Place opens doors of opportunity for women who are homeless and unaccompanied in Chicago. Supportive housing and services offer women their key to healing, achieving their goals and moving on from the experience of homelessness.

Katharine Booton Wilson (CEO), Isaias Gonzalez, Lakeithia Butle

Friends of the Children - Chicago creates generational change by empowering youth who live in communities most impacted by poverty, gun violence, and other traumatic events. Friends of the Children pairs kindergartners with highly trained Professional Mentors who help them develop the relationships, skills, and goals they need in order to overcome obstacles and thrive.

Taal Hasak-Lowy (Executive Director), Saroyan Hill, Phalon Carpenter, Kianna Snow

Gardeneers works with Chicago’s South- and West-Sides schools and communities and supports youth and community members in school garden and farm programs to build their own knowledge, skills, and habits to become leaders who care for themselves, their environment, and their communities.

Selma Sims (CEO), Sigourney Boyd-Starks, Stephanie Westbrook

Grow Greater Englewood Inc. develops local food economies and land sovereignty in partnership with community stakeholders to empower residents to thrive.

Anton Seals Jr. (Executive Director), Cynthia Williams, Jennifer Stewart, Harold N. Chapman III

Guitars Over Guns empowers youth from vulnerable communities with a powerful combination of music education and mentoring by professional musicians to help them overcome hardship, find their voice, and reach their potential as leaders.

Andre Daniels (Regional Director), Mark Anderson, Alysha McElroy-Hodges, Dominic Pettis EL

Musical Arts Institute provides a gateway to high-quality instrumental and vocal training for culturally and economically underserved Chicago youths.

Michael Joseph Manson (Executive Director), Tanqueray Hart, Sabrina Townsend

Playworks Illinois improves the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

Phasha Spencer (Executive Director), Averill Price, Kevin Schoenfeld

UtmostU empowers young adults to realize their professional aspirations by supporting their successful degree attainment and career preparation.

Amy Huang (Executive Director), Rebecca S.A. Connie, Amanda Bates-Kravitz, Jasmine Brianna Nelson


The Rustandy Center for Social Sector Innovation is the destination at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business for people committed to helping solve complex social and environmental problems.As Chicago Booth’s social impact hub, the Rustandy Center offers hands-on learning opportunities, supports innovative courses, and pursues research—all with the goal of developing people and practices with the potential to solve the world’s biggest problems.

Golub Capital is a market-leading, award-winning direct lender and experienced credit asset manager. It specializes in delivering reliable, creative, and compelling financing solutions to companies backed by private equity sponsors.

Chicago Urban League is one of the oldest and largest affiliates of the National Urban League. It works to achieve equity for Black families and communities through social and economic empowerment.