Curaleaf, a publicly traded Massachusetts company, has made a $950,000 contribution to advancing social equity in cannabis in Illinois’ Chicagoland as part of its corporate social responsibility Rooted in Good initiative and per Illinois’ social equity requirements.

The monies are dispersed among six local organizations focused on providing education, job training, and creating economic opportunities for those who have been disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs and the historic biased criminalization of cannabis.

Partners include:

Illinois Cannabis Business Development Fund, $300,000

Managed by the Illinois Department of Commerce, this fund is intended to provide technical assistance and training to support prospective entrepreneurs interested in applying for cannabis business establishment licenses.

Olive-Harvey College, $250,000

This community college on Chicago’s far Southside will introduce an educational cannabis program to help mold the next generation of cannabis leaders. It will also offer a paid scholarship program and paid internship.

Growing Home, $100,000

Chicago’s leading expert in farm-based training for people with employment barriers will continue to provide on-the-job experience, job-readiness and help people overcome issues like criminal records and medical needs. With their USDA-Certified organic urban farms, Growing Home is also committed to serving its Greater Englewood neighbors through access to local, healthy, high-quality and affordable produce accompanied by essential nutritional and cooking education.

An additional North Chicagoland Community College, $100,000

Curaleaf is supporting a local community college’s plans to develop and introduce a cannabis program that will educate, mentor, and provide internships and career opportunities within cannabis for students.

Greater West Town Community Development Project, $100,000

Providing educational and economic opportunities for disadvantaged residents of the Greater West Town communities—areas that have been disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs.

Cara, $100,000

Working with people affected by poverty and challenges like recovery, domestic violence, episodic homelessness, and incarceration, Cara helps unlock the power and purpose within the community and its people to achieve real and lasting success.

For more news on the Illinois Cannabis Industry, click here.