Cboe Options Institute Expands Education with Big Shoulders Fund

At the heart of Cboe’s mission is building global financial markets where there is a place for everyone to pursue their own sustainable financial future. However, markets are only truly accessible if there is approachable education that empowers people to participate in the markets. Cboe’s Options Institute (OI) has long been educating people about everything markets-related, from the very basics of financial markets to more sophisticated strategies. But now, the OI is expanding its student base to a greener demographic than ever before. 

The OI recently became a sponsor of the Big Shoulders Fund’s Stock Market Program, which teaches eighth grade students in Chicago about the financial markets, saving and investing, and even potential careers in the industry. The OI kicked off its sponsorship with support of the program’s annual capstone event, which celebrated approximately 400 eighth grade students from 15 schools. Students participated in a mock investors meeting and heard advice from industry leaders. 

In the fall, the OI will sponsor two schools in the Stock Market Program through volunteer teaching and financial support. This partnership is an excellent way for the OI to expand its mission and help more young people engage with and understand the financial markets early. Gaining foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in eighth grade will give the students an understanding of the opportunities available to them and empower them to build their own strong financial future.

About Big Shoulders Fund

For more than 35 years, Big Shoulders Fund has helped Chicago’s children in need achieve their dreams through access to a quality, values-based education. Big Shoulders Fund invests more than $20 million annually in scholarship support and academic enrichment for students, operational improvements for schools, leadership development programs for the next generation of school leaders, and academic programs and professional development for teachers.