Cottage Hill Excellence Foundation

Investing in Leaders.
Building Futures.

The Cottage Hill Excellence Foundation (CHEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that invests in high-achieving scholars and emerging community leaders through scholarships, leadership development, mentorship, and transformative educational experiences. CHEF empowers future leaders to make a lasting impact in their communities, professions, and beyond.

Become a CHEF Scholar
Get Involved
Cottage Hill Excellence Foundation, non profit organisation in Elmhurst, Il - golden symbol.
Cottage Hill Excellence Foundation, non profit organisation in Elmhurst, Il - golden symbol.

OUR PURPOSE

More Than Scholarships.
A Catalyst for Leadership.

At Cottage Hill Excellence Foundation, we believe exceptional students deserve exceptional opportunities. Our mission is to identify high-potential individuals, cultivate leadership, expand educational opportunity, and develop principled leaders whose impact extends far beyond the classroom.

We do more than simply fund education—we invest in people.

How We Create Impact

  • Student reading in a library while others collaborate. The Cottage Hill Excellence Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supports academic achievement and leadership.

    Discover

    Identify exceptional students with the potential to lead.

  • Close-up of a student signing scholarship paperwork for a foundation for excellence in education, highlighting educational opportunities and mentorship programs.

    Develop

    Provide mentorship, leadership experiences, and real-world learning.

  • Two professionals shaking hands to celebrate a partnership supporting a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to scholarships, mentorship, and student success.

    Empower

    Award merit-based scholarships and connect students to transformative opportunities.

  • Diverse students networking and celebrating academic success through a non profit organisation in Elmhurst, IL committed to leadership development and educational excellence.

    Inspire

    Build lifelong leaders who strengthen their professions, communities, and society.

Get Involved

OUR IMPACT

Investing in Leaders.
Measuring Impact.

Every number represents a student whose future has been expanded through opportunity.

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Scholarships Awarded

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Students Impacted

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Funds Raised

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Community Partnerships

Growing Annually

Universities Supported

Become a CHEF Scholar
Become a CHEF Scholar
Get Involved
Get Involved

Featured Program

Corporate Finance Club

The Corporate Finance Club (CFC) at York Community High School serves as CHEF’s flagship educational beneficiary program. Through advanced business and finance education, leadership development, philanthropy, mentorship, university partnerships, and scholarship opportunities, CFC provides students with experiences typically reserved for university and professional environments.

Students engage directly with executives, entrepreneurs, investors, nonprofit leaders, and university faculty while developing the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly complex global economy.

  • Through CFC’s philanthropic initiative, Project Philos, CHEF provided high achieving students with merit based scholarships.  Derived from the Greek word for “love,” Philos represents our commitment to supporting students while promoting leadership, financial excellence, and a sense of service.

    Philos represents our club’s enduring belief that finance is not just about numbers—it’s about empowerment, community, and purpose.

    The CFC Scholarship Program, funded by community members and the Martino Family, is designed to support high-achieving, finance-focused high school students at York Community High School who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, and a deep interest in business, finance, and economics. The Program aims to alleviate financial barriers and encourage continued academic and extracurricular success in financial studies and careers. 

    Additionally, through CFC, students engage directly with executives, entrepreneurs, investors, nonprofit leaders, and university faculty while developing the skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly complex global economy.

Visit the CFC Site
Visit the CFC Site
Student smiling during a mentorship meeting hosted by the CHEF, a foundation for excellence in education empowering future community leaders.

Testimonials

Meet the students whose stories demonstrate the power of opportunity, mentorship, and leadership.

  • Decorative quotation mark icon introducing a testimonial about the impact of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting student scholarships and leadership development.

    "This scholarship award not only validates my prior commitment to becoming a successful figure in the business world and dedication in the classroom, but it will also help me further pursue my finance-related interests. The scholarship money that I was graciously awarded will provide me with even greater business exposure at the collegiate level and hopefully enable me to do the same one day and open doors for the next generation of aspiring entrepreneurs"

    —Ryan Aprati, CHEF Scholar

  • Decorative quotation mark icon introducing a testimonial about the impact of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting student scholarships and leadership development.

    "Receiving a scholarship through the Cottage Hill Excellence Foundation meant more to me than the financial support alone, it was a real affirmation of the work we put in behind the scenes on the board. It meant a lot to be recognized as a scholar, and not only as a leader, and I'm grateful CHEF invests in both its high-achieving members and the students working to make CFC what it is."

    —Landon McQuade, CHEF Scholar

  • Decorative quotation mark icon introducing a testimonial about the impact of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting student scholarships and leadership development.

    "CFC has been such an important part of my life over the past two years and has made my high school experience truly unforgettable. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to support members of our club in receiving the scholarships they worked so hard to earn. It means so much to me to have also been awarded one myself. CFC has given me so many meaningful experiences, and I will always be thankful for everything this club has brought into my life."

    —Elena Kramp, CHEF Scholar

  • Decorative quotation mark icon introducing a testimonial about the impact of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting student scholarships and leadership development.

    "Receiving this scholarship is both an honor and a reminder that my hard work and dedication has been recognized. The financial support will allow me to focus on my academic growth and this recognition motivates me to continue striving for excellence and to make the most of every opportunity!!"

    —Tessa Schultz, CHEF Scholar

  • Decorative quotation mark icon introducing a testimonial about the impact of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting student scholarships and leadership development.

    "Being awarded the CHEF scholarship has been an honor and privilege. I am so grateful for the opportunity and for the financial aid! This recognition means so much to myself and my family, as does knowing my hard work did not go unnoticed!"

    —Molly Finn, CHEF Scholar

  • Decorative quotation mark icon introducing a testimonial about the impact of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting student scholarships and leadership development.

    "Receiving this scholarship has made a big impact, not only because of the financial support it has provided, but also because it has allowed me to feel recognized for my hard work and consistency within the club. Being recognized has made me more confident in what I can achieve and has motivated me to continue pursuing my business journey."

    —Sienna Kochanski, CHEF Scholar

  • Decorative quotation mark icon introducing a testimonial about the impact of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting student scholarships and leadership development.

    "Receiving a scholarship through and being a part of CHEF not only reflects what I have done throughout my time at York, but allows me to continue to represent such an amazing organization that has done so much good not only through the school but in the community. As I move forward in my educational journey at Miami University, I am not only going for myself but I am now carrying on a piece of legacy that displays what kids in this organization are all about. I just want to thank everyone again who was a part of this process, you could not ask for a better, more hardworking and bright group, thank you all again for this honor."

    —Jack Wahr, CHEF Scholar

  • Decorative quotation mark icon introducing a testimonial about the impact of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting student scholarships and leadership development.

    "Receiving a scholarship like this genuinely meant a ton to me. It feels rewarding to have my involvement and dedication to not only be recognized, but also to encourage me to do similar things down the line in my educational career. The financial support is great, but the confidence from this club and scholarship will motivate me to keep chasing my goals."

    —Simon Kodosky, CHEF Scholar

  • Decorative quotation mark icon introducing a testimonial about the impact of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting student scholarships and leadership development.

    "I was extremely grateful for the CHEF scholarship. I was very grateful that my time and work in the club was recognized. This scholarship has motivated me to continue corporate finance later in life and college."

    —Drew Richardson, CHEF Scholar

  • Decorative quotation mark icon introducing a testimonial about the impact of a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization supporting student scholarships and leadership development.

    "It was an honor receiving a CHEF scholarship this past year. It truly made me feel validated and appreciated due to all the contributions I have made towards Corporate Finance Club the past two years. This scholarship will allow me to learn and contribute to many more organizations at the university level."

    —Sophia Fasheh, CHEF Scholar

Invest in the Leaders
Who Will Shape Tomorrow.

Every contribution creates opportunity.
Every opportunity changes a life.
Every life strengthens a community.

Join us in building an institution that endures. Whether you are a student, donor, educator, corporate partner, or volunteer, there is a place for you in our mission to develop the next generation of leaders. 

Donate Today
Donate Today