Key Takeaways
- • Invest For Kids 2026 conference scheduled for October 28 at Harris Theater in Chicago, featuring presentations from major hedge fund managers including David Einhorn (Greenlight Capital), Larry Robbins (Glenview Capital), and Orlando Bravo, alongside Patient Capital, Lyrical Asset Management, and Shore Capital.
- • 2025 conference raised record $2.1 million in philanthropic proceeds, representing the largest fundraising total since inception in 2009, with all capital awarded to 10 nonprofit organizations supporting Chicago youth in underserved neighborhoods.
- • Einhorn presented five U.S. companies undergoing strategic transitions at the 2026 Sohn Investment Conference, with valuations discussed at 8x EBITDA multiples as investors become more strategic in capital deployment.
- • John L. Keeley Jr. Student Initiative expanded to 170 students from 15 Chicago and Midwest universities attending the 2025 conference, demonstrating institutional commitment to emerging investor development alongside philanthropic goals.
- • Grant application process for nonprofit organizations remains rigorous and merit-based, with applications due February 27 for the 2026 cycle, supporting Capital for Children's mission as a network of investment professionals dedicated to Chicago youth welfare.
Summary
Invest For Kids, Chicago's 18th annual Investable Ideas Conference, is scheduled for October 28, 2026, at the Harris Theater, with programming running from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and a networking lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m. The conference brings together a prominent cross-section of the institutional investment community—including hedge fund managers David Einhorn of Greenlight Capital, Larry Robbins of Glenview Capital, and Orlando Bravo—alongside managers from Patient Capital, Lyrical Asset Management, and Shore Capital to share market insights and investable ideas.
The 2025 iteration of the conference demonstrated the model's expanding reach and philanthropic impact. Held on October 21, 2025, the event attracted nearly 1,000 attendees and generated a record $2.1 million in gross proceeds—the highest fundraising total since the conference's inception in 2009. All capital raised was distributed via a rigorous grant application process to 10 carefully selected nonprofit organizations supporting youth in low-income Chicago neighborhoods. The John L. Keeley Jr. Student Initiative expanded educational access, enabling 170 students from 15 Chicago and Midwest universities to attend the 2025 conference and an exclusive pre-conference lunch.
David Einhorn's participation at the 2026 Sohn Investment Conference included presentations on five U.S. companies undergoing strategic transitions, with market valuations referenced at 8x EBITDA multiples. This reflects a broader institutional trend toward more disciplined and strategic capital allocation across economic cycles. The Invest For Kids 2026 grant application cycle remains open, with nonprofit organization applications due by February 27, 2026, underscoring the conference's dual mission as both an investment idea forum and a significant philanthropic mechanism for Chicago's underserved communities.
Invest For Kids operates as an initiative of Capital for Children, a professional networking organization of leaders in private equity and related investment disciplines. The model leverages the expertise and networks of investment professionals to simultaneously generate market-relevant insights for institutional investors while channeling proceeds to high-impact nonprofit organizations, creating a sustainable intersection between professional development and community impact.
The 2025 iteration of the conference demonstrated the model's expanding reach and philanthropic impact. Held on October 21, 2025, the event attracted nearly 1,000 attendees and generated a record $2.1 million in gross proceeds—the highest fundraising total since the conference's inception in 2009. All capital raised was distributed via a rigorous grant application process to 10 carefully selected nonprofit organizations supporting youth in low-income Chicago neighborhoods. The John L. Keeley Jr. Student Initiative expanded educational access, enabling 170 students from 15 Chicago and Midwest universities to attend the 2025 conference and an exclusive pre-conference lunch.
David Einhorn's participation at the 2026 Sohn Investment Conference included presentations on five U.S. companies undergoing strategic transitions, with market valuations referenced at 8x EBITDA multiples. This reflects a broader institutional trend toward more disciplined and strategic capital allocation across economic cycles. The Invest For Kids 2026 grant application cycle remains open, with nonprofit organization applications due by February 27, 2026, underscoring the conference's dual mission as both an investment idea forum and a significant philanthropic mechanism for Chicago's underserved communities.
Invest For Kids operates as an initiative of Capital for Children, a professional networking organization of leaders in private equity and related investment disciplines. The model leverages the expertise and networks of investment professionals to simultaneously generate market-relevant insights for institutional investors while channeling proceeds to high-impact nonprofit organizations, creating a sustainable intersection between professional development and community impact.
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