Tom founded Dreams for Kids (DFK) in 1989 at the request of his mother, Patricia. Having reached over 100,000 youth today, in 2022, DFK opened a Campus for GCE Lab School and Learning Center in downtown Chicago’s heart.  With the city as their classroom, students create business solutions to help solve social issues while learning entrepreneurship and contemporary job skills. In 2024, the school transitioned to an online learning model, focusing on financial literacy and investments.

Dreams for Kids was recognized by Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management KIN Global as its featured, innovative nonprofit.