CHICAGO — Michael J. Sacks, chairman and chief executive officer of Chicago-based investment firm GCM Grosvenor, has received Chicago Cares’ 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award, adding recognition from the volunteer service organization to a career that includes support for education, healthcare career exploration and cultural institutions. His company biography lists the award among his honors, and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce also identifies him as its 2026 recipient.

The recognition comes during Chicago Cares’ 35th anniversary year. Founded in 1991, the nonprofit connects residents and businesses with community service opportunities and works with neighborhood partners to develop projects around local needs. Its anniversary programming has emphasized sustained relationships and community participation.

For Sacks, the award provides an occasion to examine work outside the investment business, particularly initiatives connecting Chicago students with higher education and potential careers.

A Local Focus on Educational Access

Michael and Cari Sacks have supported Northwestern University students for decades. In March 2021, Northwestern announced a $5 million gift that expanded their support for graduates of Chicago Public Schools pursuing business and law degrees. 

The commitment included $2 million each for endowed scholarships at the Kellogg School of Management and Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. According to the university, the scholarships were designed to cover tuition, books, supplies, fees and living expenses for at least one student at each school annually in perpetuity. 

That gift built on the couple’s earlier support for undergraduates, including a scholarship fund for CPS students endowed in 2013. At the time of the 2021 announcement, Northwestern reported that 89 students had received a Sacks Family Scholarship, including 41 CPS graduates. 

A September 2026 profile published by the Chicagoland Chamber provides a more recent measure: 259 scholarship recipients in total, including 162 CPS students. The Chamber describes the family’s scholarships for CPS students attending Northwestern as providing support without loans. 

Introducing Students to Healthcare Careers

Another initiative has focused on helping high school students explore work in healthcare before choosing a college or career path.

In 2022, Sacks and GCM Grosvenor partnered with Northwestern Medicine to create the GCM Grosvenor Discovery Program, according to the Chamber. Its September profile reports that 796 students have participated. 

Northwestern Medicine describes the program as serving students interested in healthcare who may have limited opportunities to explore related occupations. Activities include tours, guest speakers, group discussions and other learning experiences, alongside professional development, leadership and opportunities to connect with healthcare workers. 

The program remains active for the 2026–27 school year, with six chapters. Northwestern Medicine lists a two-year program for its Central Chapter and one-year programs for the other chapters. 

These activities introduce students to a range of healthcare jobs and give them opportunities to ask professionals about their work. They extend the educational focus of Sacks’ philanthropy beyond financial assistance for students already pursuing a degree.

Recognition From a Community Service Organization

Chicago Cares’ work centers on connecting volunteers with neighborhood organizations and building relationships through service. In its 2026 Leadership Breakfast materials, the nonprofit says it activates thousands of volunteers each year through community projects and leadership training, with experiences developed alongside local leaders. 

Sacks’ institutional involvement also extends to youth programming and the arts. His GCM Grosvenor biography lists board roles with After School Matters and the Art Institute of Chicago, as well as service as a Northwestern University trustee. 

The Lifetime Achievement Award brings attention to that broader community involvement. The scholarship and healthcare programs offer concrete examples of its educational emphasis: one helps Chicago students finance university study, while the other introduces teenagers to professional possibilities earlier in their education.

As Chicago Cares marks 35 years of service, those ongoing initiatives provide context for its recognition of Sacks in 2026.