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, located in the heart of downtown Chicago.  With the city as their classroom, students create business solutions to help solve social issues while learning entrepreneurship and contemporary job skills.

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