KidsMatter

✈️☀️ What a beautiful day to connect with our community!

KidsMatter is incredibly grateful to be part of the Cavalcade of Planes event in Bolingbrook today. We’re enjoying the amazing weather, meeting so many wonderful families, and sharing in the excitement with the thousands of attendees who are coming out to celebrate aviation and community.

Be sure to stop by the Welcome Tent and say hello! Our team is giving away airplanes for the kids while supplies last. 🛩️

As we like to say, “The sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning!” 🚀

Thank you to everyone who has stopped by to visit with us. We love being part of a community that helps young people dream big, soar high, and reach new horizons.

'School's Out' fundraiser will benefit KidsMatter on June 4 On Thursday, June 4, 2026, Lou Malnati’s again will host School’s Out at the restaurant located at 131 W. Jefferson Avenue in downtown Naperville. The longstanding KidsMatter fundraiser showcases student talent while building on history of bringing community together. (PN File Photo) KidsMatter ...

Happy Illinois Youth Philanthropy Day! 💙 Today, we celebrate the power of young people to create meaningful change in their communities through service, generosity, and leadership.

At KidsMatter, we see this impact firsthand through our Teen Philanthropy Initiative, where local students learn the value of giving back by evaluating community needs, awarding grants, and supporting organizations making a difference. Through this program, students aren’t just learning about philanthropy; they’re becoming compassionate leaders and changemakers who are helping shape a stronger future for all.

Want to learn more about our Teen Philanthropy Initiative? Visit https://kidsmatter2us.org/teen-philanthropy-initiative/ for more info!

KidsMatter will be returning to the Naperville Park District's 19th annual Kite Fly, presenting “Games from Around the World”. For the fifth year in a row, young people and families have the chance to learn about different cultures around the world through the games that children play.

Join us this Sunday, June 7, from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. at the Frontier Sports Complex, 3380 Cedar Glade Drive in Naperville! Families can make a day of it by purchasing lunch or snacks from the food trucks on-site or by bringing their own picnic.

Learn More: https://kidsmatter2us.org/events/kite-fly-festival/

Games from Around the World was sponsored in part by a SECA grant from the City of Naperville, Illinois, Government with support from the Naperville Park District and other key partners, including the Naperville Sister Cities Commission, and the KidsMatter Senior High Board.

🌺 Celebrating Community, Culture, and Connection

KidsMatter is incredibly grateful for the continued support and friendship of the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander community for once again including us in their annual celebration honoring Asian American Heritage Month at Pacifica Square in Aurora.

At KidsMatter, we believe we are strongest when we are rooted in community, united by purpose, and inspired by one another.

Thank you to our friends and partners for your warm welcome, your ongoing support, and for creating such a meaningful celebration. We are proud to stand alongside you in building a more connected, inclusive, and empowered community for all.

💙 Rooted in Community. Growing Together.

KidsMatter’s Teen Philanthropy Initiative (TPI) recently hosted its third annual Capstone Ceremony, celebrating the achievements of seniors who’ve completed the two-year program, and juniors, who gave away $10,000 in grant funding to 15 local nonprofit organizations that support youth. This year’s 23 graduating seniors learned about implementing a fundraising campaign, — and, in the process — raised more than $18,700 to support ongoing implementation of this free-to-join program.

To date, TPI has engaged more than 80 high school juniors and seniors from from Naperville 203, Indian Prairie 204 and Benet Academy in learning about the art, science, and business of philanthropy through grantmaking, fundraising, and strategic volunteerism. Participating students also earn college credit from North Central College, and we thank the college for its partnership in this amazing program.

KidsMatter applauds all of our TPI supporters and participants, who have given away $30,000 in TPI grants and provided more than 900 hours of volunteerism in the community. And we offer our gratitude to all the donors and partners who invest in these inspiring young leaders and make this program possible. Thanks, all around!

As KidsMatter celebrates 25 years of empowering youth, we’re highlighting what it truly means for our Senior High Board members to dream, believe, and become leaders in their community through their involvement with KidsMatter.

Meet Tai, a student at Naperville Community Unit School District 203 – Naperville Central High School. Through his involvement with KidsMatter, Tai is strengthening the leadership and collaboration skills that help young people step into civic leadership and create meaningful, positive change in their communities. Students like Tai represent the future of engaged, compassionate leadership, and we’re proud to help nurture that potential as part of our mission to empower youth.

These students have already done such amazing work since starting this past fall, and we are so thankful for all of their hard work. Thank you, Tai, for all that you do for KidsMatter.

Our wonderful CEO & Executive Director Nina Menis is always doing amazing things to build connections and foster community in support of empowering young people. We couldn't be more proud of -- and grateful for -- all of her generous and tireless efforts. Congratulations, Nina, on this well-deserved honor!

Leadership is about creating impact through collaboration, service, and empowering others.

Congratulations to Nina Menis, CEO & Executive Director of KidsMatter, on being named our Q2 Gottfried Woman of the Quarter. Nina’s work bringing together organizations, schools, and community leaders to support youth and families reflects the type of leadership we’re proud to celebrate.

Learn more about her story: https://bit.ly/NinaWoQ