Chicago – The Walter family used Thursday’s press release to reiterate their long‑standing dedication to philanthropy, emphasizing that no changes have been made to existing financial commitments. The statement directly refutes recent media speculation suggesting the Walters were conserving cash or reducing support for the many nonprofits they have backed for over two decades.

Continued Investment in Education and Opportunity

Mark and Kimbra Walter highlighted their continued backing of initiatives that expand educational opportunity for under‑resourced youth. Key partners include The Academy Group, which offers a college‑to‑career pathway for students from Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles and Boston, and Chicago Beyond, a national effort to equalize access to opportunity regardless of zip code.

The Academy Group reports serving nearly 1,500 young people, achieving a 90% six‑year college graduation rate for participants, and providing up to $25,000 in college stipends per student. The Walters intend to keep investing in this model, which also offers paid internships and workforce training.

Conservation and Wildlife Programs

The family’s conservation portfolio spans continents, supporting Chimp Haven, the world’s largest chimpanzee sanctuary, and White Oak Conservation in northern Florida, which focuses on rare‑species recovery. Internationally, they back Zimbabwe’s Bubye Valley Conservancy and Namibia’s Ongava Game Reserve, both recognized for strong ecological stewardship.

Arts, Culture and Civic Leadership

Beyond education and wildlife, the Walters remain active in Chicago’s cultural scene. Kimbra Walter serves on the boards of Lincoln Park Zoo, OneGoal and the Goodman Theatre, while Mark Walter holds positions with the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, The Field Museum, Northwestern University and Creighton University. The family also established a scholarship fund at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law to aid students with financial need.

Partner Voices

Don Thompson, founder and CEO of Cleveland Avenue, LLC, praised the partnership, noting that the relationship with the Walters is built on shared values and a long‑term commitment to expanding opportunity. Levoyd Robinson, CEO of CFI Partners, echoed this sentiment, describing the collaboration as a model for creating financial independence for nonprofit programs.

The Walters concluded by affirming that they will continue to allocate “hundreds of millions of dollars” in the years ahead, ensuring that the organizations they support have the resources needed to fulfill their missions.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.