A Sponsor is an individual, or group of individuals, that makes a long term commitment to a class of 50 to 100 Dreamers that the Sponsor supports over the duration of the Dreamers' progression from early elementary school to college.

Since our founding, more than 300 Sponsors have stepped forward to start "I Have A Dream" programs. Here are some of their stories:


Margaret Henningsen
Milwaukee, WI

This fall, Margaret Henningsen, founder and Vice President of Legacy Bank, will launch our first ever program in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the first program to pilot elements of the new program model that we are developing. Ms. Henningsen realized her own dream by putting her education to work to start the only bank in the nation founded by African American women. She strongly believes in the change that "I Have A Dream" will bring to the community and has rallied support from across the city.

"We will use the 'I Have A Dream' program as the foundation for rebuilding the community by forming partnerships with stakeholders to foster economic development, a desire for education within the entire family, financial management, home ownership, and neighborhood stability."

Jerome Robinson
Newark, NJ

Jerome Robinson (top row, fourth from left) with Newark, NJ, Mayor Cory Booker (top row,
fifth from left) and the Newark, NJ, Dreamers at the program launch in 2006. 

Eighty-five year old businessman Jerome Robinson and his brothers, Herbert and Bernard, sponsored an "I Have A Dream" program in the Bronx in 1987.  In 2006, he decided to sponsor a second class of Dreamers, this time in Newark, NJ.  Ensuring the success of the Newark Dreamers is a team effort, and Mr. Robinson has pulled together other Sponsors and supporters from across the community.

"'I Have A Dream' is the most worthwhile organization I know of that helps disadvantaged kids. Being a Sponsor has made me aware of the tremendous need in our world. I love helping Dreamers because I get so much satisfaction from seeing the kids advancing and learning." 


Jeff Gural
New York, NY

Jeff Gural, Chairman of Newmark, sponsored the first housing-based "I Have A Dream" program in the nation, and went on to sponsor a second class of Dreamers in the same public housing development.  He also serves as the Board Chair of "I Have A Dream" - New York Metro Area.  

"It is rewarding seeing kids who have made it through college and who have gotten good jobs. There is a satisfaction you get in seeing how their lives turn out, especially seeing them since they were first and second graders and now are grown ups."

More Sponsor Stories  >>


To learn more about sponsoring an "I Have A Dream" program, please contact Lauren Masters at (212) 293-5480, ext. 34.