What We Do

The Giving Tree Educational Consultants work to strengthen the network of educational services and support that a community provides for its residents.  We act as an external partner in the following capacities: education and  strategic management consultant, community organizer, professional development provider.  Schools and other educational programs can rely on us for technical assistance in the complex yet rewarding task of serving the educational needs of a community. 

In addition to working with existing programs and organizations we also focus on recruiting, developing, and supporting new schools, organizations and programs for use in your community. 

The Giving Tree works to link existing programs to one another in order to ensure that resources are being used optimally (programming is not being duplicated, programming covers all areas needed to ensure proper youth development).  We evaluate program outcomes to scale and offer feedback to management for improving and refining program offerings.

Why Does The Giving Tree Exist

Our research has shown that while many community organizations, churches, schools, etc. offer much needed programming they have trouble finding support themselves.  By support, we do not mean financial support; we are referring to the technical and strategic support that all businesses and organizations need to continue sustained growth. 

Consultants are used in the public business sector to provide skilled approaches and objective insight.  However, due to budget limitations, the same type of support may not be feasible for all community or faith-based organizations and schools.  The Giving Tree Educational Consultants strive to offer your community the same level of support and expertise utilized in the public business sector.

The Giving Tree will assist communities, organizations, and programs to achieve the following outcomes:

• Higher level of community engagement in educational programming.
• Teachers and administrators who are informed of the social trends that exist in the communities where they teach.
• Greater accessibility to high quality / relevant professional development for administrators, teachers, organizational leaders and staff.
• Development of stronger and longer lasting relationships between funders and educational institutions.
• Ongoing evaluation of current programming to determine areas for improvement.
• Expansion of current programming.
• Development of improvement plans.
• Recruitment, development and support of new youth-focused educational programs.
• Production of community demographic studies.
• Curriculum development that focuses on sustainable long term growth.
• Increase in alliances among community organizations.
• Compliance with federal, state and local regulations (NCLB, IDEA, etc).

Our History

The seed for the Giving Tree was planted in 2004.  Our organization started out in Chicago as an organization called Planet W.U.N.   Planet W.U.N. facilitated a successful character development program called Ladies A.L.I.V.E. at Gage Park High School on Chicago’s Southwest side.

In the summer of 2007 Planet W.U.N. merged with a company called The Giving Tree, a consulting company that started out by offering home daycare services, parent training, teacher trainings for early childhood educators and after-school programs. Seeking a broader scope in which to serve, the two organizations became The Giving Tree Educational Consultants.

Current Initiative

The Rogers Park Youth Zone is an initiative created by The Giving Tree Educational Consultants.  It is modeled after the Harlem Children's Zone.  The goal is... Read More

Do you live, work or own a business in Rogers Park?  Are you an organization, church or school currently providing student programming.  Find out how to get involved with the Rogers Park Youth Zone.

ContactUs Today!