Chicago – September 20, 2026 -- The Walter Family publicly rejected media reports claiming Mark and Kimbra Walter are scaling back philanthropic commitments, calling the allegations "false and easily disproven."
Walters pledge hundreds of millions more despite funding-structure scrutiny
Over more than two decades, Mark and Kimbra Walter have donated hundreds of millions of dollars to organizations focused on under-resourced communities, education access and wildlife conservation. The family stated it intends to contribute hundreds of millions of dollars more in coming years, with existing financial commitments remaining unchanged.
The rebuttal directly addresses speculation that recent changes to the funding structure of certain organizations reflect a need to conserve cash. The family called such narratives "irresponsible," warning they create uncertainty for the young people, families and communities served by the affected organizations.
The Academy Group reports 90% six-year college graduation rate among nearly 1,500 members
The Academy Group (TAG), established in 2017 with the Walters as lead investors, operates a college-to-career pipeline spanning Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles and Boston. TAG members are eligible for up to $25,000 in college stipends, and the program placed 200 students in paid internships this past summer through partnerships with nearly 100 companies, nonprofits and minority- and women-led startups. Founder Shayne Evans said TAG aims to ultimately reach 20,000 young people.
CFI Partners structures financing to reduce TAG's reliance on annual donations
Levoyd Robinson, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of CFI Partners, said the firm designed a financial model intended to create economic value for TAG independent of traditional annual giving, aiming to give the organization "greater financial independence" for long-term operation.
Cleveland Avenue's $70 million initiative targets Chicago's South and West Sides
Don Thompson, Founder and CEO of Cleveland Avenue, LLC, said his firm's partnership with the Walters spans multiple initiatives including TAG. Cleveland Avenue separately launched a $70 million impact initiative -- the State Treasurer Urban Success Initiative -- to close capital gaps for Black, Latinx and women-owned businesses in underserved Chicago neighborhoods.
The Walters' broader portfolio includes Chicago Beyond, OneGoal, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation, LA Rises, MetroSquash, Chimp Haven, White Oak Conservation, Bubye Valley Conservancy in Zimbabwe and the Ongava Game Reserve in Namibia. Mark Walter sits on the boards of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, The Field Museum,