ALDI Builds on Hope Chicago Partnership
ALDI Builds on Hope Chicago Partnership with $1.5 Million Investment to Expand Debt-Free Education Pathways
- ALDI is investing an additional $1.5 million in Hope Chicago over three years, bringing its total support to more than $3.5 million since 2022.
- The investment will help Hope Chicago continue providing debt-free higher education and support to students from five Chicago public high schools and their parents or guardians.
- The renewed commitment comes as Hope Chicago marks a new chapter: Its first four-year Hope Scholars graduated in May, and the organization recently welcomed its fifth cohort of Chicago families.
Batavia, Ill., Oct. 6, 2026 – ALDI, America’s fastest-growing grocer, is extending its support for Chicago students and their families with a new $1.5 million investment in Hope Chicago over the next three years. The renewed commitment brings the grocer’s investment in Hope Chicago to more than $3.5 million since becoming a founding partner in 2022.
“Chicagoland has been our home for decades, and supporting the people and communities around us has always been central to who we are,” said Scott Patton, Chief Commercial Officer, ALDI U.S. “What’s so powerful about Hope Chicago is that its impact extends beyond students to entire families, creating opportunity that can change lives over generations. While we continue to grow across the country, we’ll always remain committed to investing in our hometown community and helping more families build a brighter future.”
Hope Chicago, Chicago’s only two-generation scholarship program, is working to change what higher education looks like for Chicago families. Through the organization, students from five partner Chicago high schools and their parents or guardians can pursue postsecondary education without taking on debt. Beyond financial support, Hope Chicago surrounds scholars with the academic, career and personal support they need to keep moving toward a degree.
The additional ALDI investment builds on four years of partnership between two organizations and comes at a pivotal moment. In May 2026, the first cohort of Hope Scholars graduated, marking a milestone for the program designed to help students not only get to college, but complete their degrees. Continued ALDI support will help current Hope Chicago scholars stay on track to graduate, while welcoming a fifth cohort of students and families to the program.
“Seeing our first Hope Scholars graduate was an incredible milestone, but our work has never been just about getting students to college,” said Dr. Aaron Kuecker, CEO, Hope Chicago. “We remove the financial barriers to higher education while giving scholars the academic, career and personal support they need to earn a degree. Parents and guardians have opportunities to pursue education and workforce pathways, too, creating greater economic opportunity across two generations. ALDI has believed in that model from the beginning, and this continued investment will help us bring it to more Chicago families.”
For more on ALDI community giving, visit the ALDI community page.
About ALDI U.S.
ALDI is America’s fastest-growing grocer, serving millions of customers across the country each month. Our disciplined approach to operating with simplicity and efficiency gives our customers great products at the lowest prices of any national grocery store.* ALDI strives to have a positive impact on its customers, employees and communities by being socially and environmentally responsible, earning ALDI recognition as a leading grocer in sustainability.** In addition to helping protect the planet, ALDI helps customers save time and money through convenient shopping options via in-store, curbside pickup or delivery. For more information about ALDI, visit aldi.us.
*According to the 2026 ALDI Price Leadership Report.
**According to Progressive Grocer's 2023-2025 Top 10 Most Sustainable Grocers lists.
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