Chicago philanthropist honored for education and community impact
Michael J. Sacks, chairman and CEO of GCM Grosvenor, has been named the 2026 recipient of Chicago Cares’ Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor recognizes his decades-long commitment to education, healthcare career exploration, and cultural institutions in Chicago.
The award comes during Chicago Cares’ 35th anniversary year. Founded in 1991, the nonprofit connects residents and businesses with community service opportunities, emphasizing long-term partnerships with neighborhood organizations. Its programming this year has highlighted sustained volunteer engagement as a key to lasting impact.
Sacks’ work outside investment management has centered on expanding access to higher education for Chicago Public Schools students. Alongside his wife, Cari, he has supported Northwestern University for years. In 2021, the couple donated $5 million to create endowed scholarships for CPS graduates pursuing business and law degrees.
The gift included $2 million each for scholarships at Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management and Pritzker School of Law. These funds cover tuition, books, fees, and living expenses annually for at least one student per school indefinitely. By 2026, the Sacks Family Scholarship had supported 259 students, including 162 CPS graduates, according to the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
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Beyond financial aid, Sacks has focused on exposing high school students to healthcare careers. In 2022, he and GCM Grosvenor launched the GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program with Northwestern Medicine. The initiative provides tours, guest speakers, and hands-on experiences for students interested in healthcare but with limited exposure to the field.
By 2026, 796 students had participated in the program, which operates six chapters across the region. The Central Chapter offers a two-year curriculum, while others run one-year programs. Activities include professional development sessions and direct interaction with healthcare workers, helping students explore career paths before college.
Chicago Cares’ award reflects Sacks’ broader institutional involvement. He serves on the boards of After School Matters and the Art Institute of Chicago, and has been a Northwestern University trustee. His philanthropy blends direct financial support with hands-on programs, addressing both immediate needs and long-term opportunities for Chicago’s youth.
Northwestern Medicine continues to list the Discovery Program as active for the 2026–27 school year, with no immediate plans to scale back its reach. The initiative’s structure, local chapters with tailored programming, suggests it will adapt to student demand rather than expand uniformly.
