History — serving Illinois children for 140 years

The Bright Promise Foundation (“BPF”) was founded in 1869, just four years after the end of the Civil War. It is one of the first agencies in the country to deal with abused and neglected children, and a pioneer in providing direct services for children and advocating for legislation to address child protection in the workplace and society.

Its efforts to influence public opinion resulted in the creation of the Juvenile Court in Chicago in 1899 and the Chicago Commission on Youth Welfare in the 1950s. It agitated for the registration of newborn infants, and crusaded against “distillery dairies” to ensure adequate supplies of wholesome milk.

The 1960s brought social change and new ways of looking at social welfare. These new ways required new programs and agencies to address the needs of Illinois’s children. The BPF responded by concluding its direct services activities to focus on providing seed money for these new programs.

The Bright Promises Foundation Today

The Bright Promises Foundation is a public charity serving the greatest underserved needs of disadvantaged children in Illinois. It focuses on fomenting permanent systematic change, while looking for leverage points where a small effort can reap large rewards.

The Bright Promises Foundation's records are archived at the Library of the University of Illinois at Chicago and a collection of BPF papers are preserved at the Illinois State Historical Library at Springfield.

Our Animal Legacy

The Bright Promises Foundation began in 1869 as an animal support organization, named the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It added children to its mission in 1877, changing its name to the Illinois Humane Society. In the 1950s, it decided to focus on children exclusively, since the Anti-Cruelty Society of Chicago and similar organizations were performing their tasks well.

Our Book

Read about the early days in our book, "The Illinois Humane Society 1869 - 1979." (An electronic version may be downloaded.)

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“There were few opportunities a century ago for travelers on the streets of Chicago to obtain fresh drinking water. In 1877 the Bright Promises Foundation began the practice of erecting public drinking fountains. They commissioned a design "both pleasing and practical" by which water would flow at three levels, first accommodating thirsty people at the top, then horses and finally dogs and small animals near the ground level. The cost was $70 per fountain and $60 for a hookup to the city water pipes, including the services of a plumber and stone mason.

The fountain in the photograph, which is undated, was outside the Mary McDowell Settlement House at 4630 S. McDowell Street, in the Back of the Yards neighborhood. Sixty-seven such fountains were maintained throughout the city at the time. One is still in use at the corner of Chicago Avenue and Michigan Boulevard, opposite the Water Tower and a second fountain is on display in the Museum of Science and Industry.” Text adapted from The Illinois Humane Society 1869-1979 book. Photo Courtesy Chicago Historical Society.