Chicago, December 12, 2006 - today the trustees of the CME Trust hosted a breakfast to announce a new philanthropic initiative, designed to

• promote teaching and learning specific to financial markets, futures and derivatives;
• promote the education of disadvantaged children and youth; and
• promote the health and well-being of children

The CME Trust expects to make charitable contributions of approximately $3 million annually, and anounced its first round of grants during the breakfast, which was attended by Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, members of the CME Trust and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Board of Trustees, and representatives from non profits who received 2006 grants.

Trustees Leo Melamed, James Oliff and Howard J. Siegel described each of the grant making categories and introduced the non profit partners who were funded in 2006. Trustee John F. Sandner introduced Mayor Daley, who repeated his commitment to education as the driving force for the Chicago economic engine.  Each Trustee emphasized that the CME Trust was "investing" in organizations working to strenthen Chicago's economic foundations, by supporting the work each non profit was doing.

Cabrini Connections, Tutor/Mentor Connection was one of the recipients of a 2006 grant, and we look forward to being a partner with the CME Trust for many years to come.  To learn more about the CME Trust and its initiatives, visit http://www.cmetrust.com