Founded in 1991 by the Security Traders Association of Chicago, the STAC Fund is a 501c3 organization that provides college scholarships to deserving students and makes grants to various charitable and educational institutions. The STAC Fund is focused on giving back to deserving individuals and organizations in the Chicagoland community while encouraging financial awareness. Past grant recipients include After School Matters, the Posse Foundation, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Over the past 10 years, the STAC Fund has made approximately $500,000 in charitable donations and scholarship awards - all thanks to the generosity of STAC members, sponsors and friends. With a mission of education, professional networking and philanthropy, STAC hosts conferences and events throughout the year that help support the STAC Fund and create opportunities for members that promote professional development, provide unparalleled networking and serve as a platform for influential leaders in the industry. STAC members receive registration fee discounts for conferences, events and continuing education courses. Fundraising activities include an annual Hockey Tournament,  Texas Hold 'Em Poker Night, Prize Raffles at the Midwinter Meeting, and silent auctions and raffles held throughout the year. Donations can also be made online.

Congratulations to our 2024-2025 STAC Scholarship Class:

“We had an incredibly impressive group of candidates for the 2024 STAC Fund Scholarship Class, and we’re thrilled to recognize these 21 outstanding Chicagoland young adults as they pursue their futures in finance,” said Ginny Kowalczyk, STAC Vice President and Manager, Information Solutions Special Projects-Sales at Cboe Global Markets. “The STAC Fund is committed to supporting the academic careers of local Chicago students while helping to instill financial awareness and literacy, and we’re excited to watch this year’s scholarship recipients thrive on their individual paths and pursue careers in our amazing industry as part of the STAC community.”

Interested in applying for a STAC Fund Scholarship? Applications for the 2025-2026 academic school year will begin in the spring of 2025.

If you would like to support students as they work to enhance their financial literacy and pursue careers in the industry, donate to the STAC Fund.