To Dr. Peter Ascoli, being an integral member of Chicago’s nonprofit community is part of his family’s legacy.

Dr. Ascoli is the grandson of Chicago businessman and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, who fashioned Sears, Roebuck and Co. into an American icon, founded Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry, and robustly supported education and the arts, particularly for the disadvantaged and disenfranchised. 

Continuing this important tradition, Dr. Ascoli co-founded Crossroads Fund in 1979. The fund supports community organizations working on issues of racial, social, and economic justice. He has also raised funds for other cultural and educational organizations including Steppenwolf Theatre and the University of Chicago.

The first Spertus faculty member to join our board, Dr. Ascoli has taught at Spertus for 17 years. He currently teaches Revenue Development for Nonprofit Organizations in the Spertus Master of Science in Nonprofit Management program.

Dr. Ascoli enthusiastically talks about how rewarding it is for him to work with students in the Spertus Nonprofit program. “I’ve had some absolutely brilliant students. Seeing them advance and helping them has just been marvelous.”

Dr. Ascoli sees his dual role at Spertus as aligning to tikkun olam, the Jewish concept of repair of the world. He hopes “to be useful” in finding innovative ways to raise funds for Spertus and in highlighting ways for the community to connect to Spertus.

“Spertus plays an important role not only in Jewish education, but also in the area that I’m in, which is Nonprofit Management…I think that’s very gratifying.”