Initiatives We Support
Time to put our time and money where our mouths are!
At ECI, we support projects and endeavors that are creating a positive impact in the world. Some of these initiatives are internal and our team members lead the development. Others are external where we volunteer services or provide monetary support in order to help them achieve their goals. And others are organizations that we support because of their outstanding contributions to the community.
Take a look at some of the proud initiatives we support below. If you see one that resonates with you, reach out. We'll get you in touch with the leader so you can help support them in your own way.
Business Sidekick
This business app is currently in development. Once live, it'll be the perfect accompaniment to entrepreneurs, start-ups, and micro businesses. Complete with daily goals and business missions, it's a real life RPG (role playing game). The twist - the game is designed around your own business. You can only move forward in the game if you move forward in your real life business (unless you cheat - but that's not you!)
In development - coming 2026
Kindness Initiatives
We believe in neighborly interactions. Small acts of kindness are easy gestures that should be a part of our everyday lives. Holding the door for someone. Letting someone with fewer items pass you in the grocery line. Providing a compliment to a stranger. The ideas are endless. Check our Kindness page to interact with some of the leaders in the mission.
ChatterGirls
This incredible program helps girls understand who they are and appreciate all of the wonderful, unique qualities that they possess. The focus of ChatterGirls is to combat all of the negative chatter that materializes in the minds of young girls. Negative thoughts like comparisons, jealousy, lack of self confidence, insecurities, and more are brought to the forefront. Girls go through a five step program and come out on the other side loving who they are.
Profit First
Mike Michalowicz and the team at Profit First are on a mission to eliminate entrepreneurial poverty. Businesses are generally taught to take income, subtract expenses, maybe pay yourself a little, and then what's left (if there is any left) is your profit.
Mike teaches it the other way around. Take your income, set aside a small amount up front as profit, pay yourself, pay your taxes, and then what's left is what you have for expenses. It's a complete mind shift that forces you to think smarter, be more resourceful, and innovate more.
Profit First is the reason we're able to support these initiatives...
Robin Sharma Nation
Impact the world. Own your genius. Lead your field. Those are the words and beliefs of Robin Sharma. As a best selling author and leader, he believes that we all have talents and abilities that the world is craving for and it's up to us to be the best versions of ourselves with small, daily wins. Having trouble getting started, staying on track, or making the progress you want? Check out some of his books or his website below. We highly recommend the 5AM Club, The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari, and The Wealth Money Can't Buy.
Support your local animal programs
Where would we be without the love and support of those animals in our lives?! Please take a moment to support a local program, whether that's a shelter, a vet, healthy pet food, sanctuaries for endangered animals, your local nature preserve, etc. However animals fit into your life, try to find some time or money to support a local program near you.
GRAINGER
You'll be hard pressed to find another company that had so many community and charitable initiatives, specifically in our home base area of Chicago. Aside from the Children First Fund, American Red Cross, 1871, and Folds of Honor, among others, in 2024 Grainger donated $5 Million to the Joffrey Ballet to support their professional dancers and Academy.
In 2025, the Art Institute of Chicago, with support from Grainger, are building a brand new Center for art Conservation and Science.
The arts are extremely important to our team and knowing Grainger is so supportive of the arts just makes them a top tier organization.
Bookshop.org
Bookshop.org works to connect readers with independent booksellers all over the world.
We believe local bookstores are essential community hubs that foster culture, curiosity, and a love of reading, and we're committed to helping them thrive.
Every purchase on the site financially supports independent bookstores. Our platform gives independent bookstores tools to compete online and financial support to help them maintain their presence in local communities.
When you need to buy a book, choose Bookshop.org, not Amazon.
Who do you recommend?
What other initiatives are we unaware of? Who should we be promoting and supporting? Let and know and we'll check them out.