About TALF

History of the Thornton Alumni Legacy Fund

Click the image to download and read the TALF executive summary (PDF).

For well over a century Thornton Township High School has celebrated a heritage of excellence in athletics, academics, and the performing arts. Located in the once-booming industrial town of Harvey, Ill., virtually all the area businesses have gone, leaving a diminished tax base, high unemployment, and many of its residents living below the poverty level. More than 50 percent of student programs and extracurricular activities have been diminished or eliminated since the 1960s.

In 2004, a small group of Thornton alumni formed a steering committee with a goal to raise a $1 million endowment to address current and future needs, bring back Wildcat Pride, and give TTHS students the opportunity to experience the rich educational programs the alumni enjoyed.

Structure and Vision

The Legacy Fund is a separately incorporated 501(c)(3) charitable organization, whose purpose is to secure resources from Thornton High School Alummi and friends to create new and to enhance current academic extracurricular programs.

TALF’s vision is to create and sustain our legacy with an annual and capital funding base for TTHS which provides opportunities for Thornton students equal to the best public school districts in the state and country.

All contributions are tax deductible.

History and Situation

Thornton’s neighborhoods have lost their corporate tax base and local employment sources as companies moved out during the 1980s and 1990s. Given Illinois’ school funding formula, which relies primarily on local property taxes to fund neighborhood schools, this exodus of the tax base has resulted in drastic budget cutbacks for Thornton. The ongoing financial crisis in Illinois has exacerbated this situation even further, requiring more reductions in programs and staff.