George M. Pullman Educational Foundation Announces its New Executive Director

The George M. Pullman Educational Foundation’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Eric Delli Bovi as its next Executive Director. According to the Foundation’s Board President Barbara M. Kaufman, “We are very excited that Eric has joined the Pullman Family.  He brings with him a wealth of not-for-profit experience to lead us into our 75^th anniversary and beyond.  We are looking forward to beginning the next chapter of the George M. Pullman Educational Foundation story”.

Eric comes to the Pullman Foundation from Urban Gateways where he spent 10 years as the President & CEO, leading a significant expansion of arts education programs and services for Chicago’s youth and communities. He directed the organization through a growth and innovation plan that included two organizational acquisitions, in addition to numerous successful projects and partnerships. 

Prior to working at Urban Gateways, Eric led the Old Town School of Folk Music’s capital campaign for a new arts education facility and oversaw unprecedented growth in fundraising to support a wide array of education and performance initiatives.

Eric was a Chicago Community Trust Fellow and was elected to the Arts Education Network Council and Emerging Leaders Council for Americans for the Arts. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the National Guild for Community Arts Education. Eric earned his MA at DePaul University and his BA at Ithaca College.

Mr. Delli Bovi states: “I am truly honored to join this venerable institution with a rich legacy of supporting generations of college students to reach their full potential throughout their four-year journey. I look forward to partnering with the Pullman Foundation community to advance its mission and impact and help ensure the success of every Pullman Scholar.”

Eric Delli Bovi’s appointment is well timed with the announcement of the 73^rd Class of Pullman Scholars and its annual Pullman Scholar Symposium that is now back as an in-person event after two years of virtual programming.

The George M. Pullman Educational Foundation’s mission is to support the dreams and aspirations of outstanding graduating high school seniors from Cook County with merit-based, need-based scholarships and continuing educational support as they pursue their bachelor’s degrees at the college or university of their choice.

Awards of up to $40,000 over four years are available to Pullman Scholars who continue to meet Pullman Foundation scholarship criteria, ensuring that exceptional students with financial need can earn their degrees without the burden of severe financial debt. More than 14,000 Pullman Scholars have benefited from over $33 million in scholarship awards since 1950.