Chess for Success Luncheon Raises Over $107,000

Portland, OR. Over 200 attendees enjoyed the annual Chess for Success Game Changer Luncheon at the Sentinel on April 26th. Chess for Success students from Chief Joseph Elementary School showed off their skills. The mission of Chess for Success is to help children develop the skills necessary for success in school and in life through learning chess. Board member Ngoni Murandu, CIO at NW Natural spoke about the importance of chess in his upbringing and how it helped him in his education and career. (Photo credit, Andie Petkus)

From Chess for Success:

Chess for Success is much more than a recreational, after-school club. It’s an intervention and educational support, provided at no cost to families, that closes the achievement gap for economically disadvantaged and minority youth.

Through learning chess, students develop high-level critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that improve self-esteem, behavior, and academic performance, including attendance, grades, and test scores.

Long-term, our goals include improving high-school graduation rates, participation in STEM programs and careers, and college/workplace readiness, ending the cycle of poverty for at-risk youth.

Thank you to our sponsors and attendees! King level sponsors: Providence Health and Services and the Margolin Family. Queen level sponsors: NW Natural, The Standard, Kivel and Howard LLP and Julie Young and Vlad Shulga. Rook level sponsors: Dick Alexander, Brown & Brown NW and Rick Abrahamson, Concordia University, Gerda Eiseman and Madeline Nelson, Charlie and Shawn Engelberg, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Franz Bakery, Richard and Jennifer Greensted, Hallmark Inn, Marion’s Carpets, OnPoint Credit Union, Portland Public Schools, R&H Construction, Stoel Rives LLP, US Bank and Walsh Construction.

The mission of Chess for Success is to help children develop the skills necessary for success in school and in life through learning chess.