Make It Better Foundation

✨ This principal is in the talent business.

LEARN charter schools are tuition-free and open to all — and each of their 11 campuses across the Midwest and Washington, D.C. are the highest performing schools in their communities.

For Sharanda Morehead, principle at LEARN Romano Butler in Chicago's North Lawndale neighborhood, retaining talented teachers is a key piece of the puzzle. Many LEARN educators have remained for years or even decades, and some were LEARN students themselves.

As for the students, Morehead, who greets each child passing in the hallway by name, maintains high expectations. Some students are from homes that have experienced trauma. Grandparents are raising some. Many will be the first to attend college. But the important thing is leveling the playing field and building connections that students know won't end at graduation.

Morehead noted the impact of individuals like renowned designer Mick De Giulio, who has supported the school for decades and recommended LEARN Charter School Network for this article through his sponsorship of the Philanthropy Awards.

"It's important that the work does not stop here," Morehead says. "We are their family. We are their support system."

💛 Explore how LEARN charter schools are making long-term investments in students, alumni, teachers, and their communities on Better.net — link below. And tell us about an educator who made an impact on your life below! ⬇️


https://better.net/education/learn-charter-schools-chicago-romano-butler-student-success/

🏌️‍♂️ Chicago has long been one of America's great golf cities. The roots run deep.

Within a few hours' drive, players can experience Ryder Cup venues, U.S. Open sites, nationally ranked resort courses, and some of the Midwest's most ambitious new golf developments.

Whether you're planning a day trip, a long weekend, or a buddies or couples getaway, the Chicago-Wisconsin corridor offers a collection of public golf experiences few regions can match.

Explore the 13 best public golf courses in Chicago and Wisconsin on Better.net (link below) — and support great causes while you golf with these upcoming charity golf outings.

Do you have an upcoming charity golf outing? Drop a comment below or tag Make It Better Foundation to be featured in Better Magazine.

https://better.net/travel/best-public-golf-courses-chicago-wisconsin/

The roar of a lion.
The song of a humpback whale.
The layered quiet of a forest at dawn, or the unsettling quiet of an ecosystem in collapse.

The sounds of our living world are everywhere, and science is revealing what many of us have always sensed: that truly listening to nature changes us.

It deepens our connection to the animals we share this planet with. It builds our empathy. And empathy, it turns out, may be one of the most powerful conservation tools we have.

Conservation Nation — a 2026 Make It Better Philanthropy Award winner — created the Sound Science Series to introduce the next generation to the hidden language of nature — and inspire them to protect it.

From Bioacoustics 101 to Listening to Wolves, these lessons teach students what scientists know, but also how to hear — and in hearing, how to feel.

Explore bioacoustics, access free lessons, and help build the next generation of conservation leaders at Better.net (link below).


https://better.net/environment/how-listening-to-nature-builds-empathy-why-that-matters-for-conservation/

☀️ From neighborhood festivals and blockbuster exhibits to outdoor concerts, farmers markets, and landmark cultural events, June in Chicago has a little something for everyone.

Find ways to celebrate and reflect with Pride Month, Juneteenth, and the highly anticipated opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park.

Whether you’re soaking up some sun, supporting local, exploring a new cultural destination, or looking for something new, our list of the best things to do in Chicago and the suburbs will help you make the most of the month.

Find the full list on Better.net (link below), and tag us in your adventures!

Theater of the Mind Chicago David Byrne Chicago International Film Festival The Art Institute of Chicago Chicago Shakespeare Theater

https://better.net/arts-events/best-things-to-do-chicago-june-2026/