A Legacy of Educational Support: The Joseph Pedott Perpetual Endowment Trust

Joseph Pedott’s commitment to educational equity stemmed from personal experience. As a teenager, he lived at a YMCA while working full-time and attending school. With support from a Chicago organization providing financial assistance and mentorship, he graduated high school and earned his degree from the University of Illinois.

That education laid the foundation for his future success—Pedott went on to become an influential advertising executive, most notably marketing iconic products like the Clapper and Chia Pets.

Today, the Joseph Pedott Perpetual Endowment Trust, administered by the Jewish Community Federation, carries forward Joseph Pedott’s core Jewish value of tzedakah to help others, particularly young people. “When Uncle Joe set up his foundation, his goal was to support organizations like the ones that helped him get to college, be successful in college, and graduate,” explains Debbie Alcouloumre of the Pedott Trust.

The foundation’s partnership with Mission Graduates, now in its 10th year, reflects these deep-rooted values. “Mission Graduates creates opportunities for leadership development and giving back to their communities,” Debbie shares. “They provide a cohort of peer support and mentors to help students reach their goals. While the expectations are high, the community rallies around every student, celebrating each milestone on their path to college graduation.”

One memory stands out for Debbie: attending Mi Pasaje, a Mission Graduates celebration that honored students at every stage of their educational journey. “It celebrated those who were accepted into the cohorts, those who graduated high school, the scholarships earned, the persistence of those in college, and college graduation,” she recalls. “The speakers shared their journeys through this process with the help of Mission Graduates. Those stories were powerful and inspiring.”

Through this partnership, the Pedott Trust helps ensure that today’s students receive the same comprehensive support that changed Joseph Pedott’s life—creating opportunities that will strengthen future generations.