These organizations are making a huge difference in the lives of Chicagoans.
Best Charity Walk/Run:
YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate
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Every year, participants in this walk/run raise funds for YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s work for racial justice and violence prevention. Because of Covid-19, they had to cancel their largest fundraiser, which usually raises more than $300,000. Facing a significant loss of revenue for YWCA programs, Better was proud to partner on a matching grant campaign with the YWCA, where we helped raise more than $24,000 this summer.
Best Fundraiser (City):
Designs for Dignity
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Designs for Dignity works with hundreds of nonprofits throughout greater Chicago to transform their spaces through pro bono design services and in-kind donations. This year they celebrated 20 years of impact with a $20 for 20 challenge, and their Virtual Gala takes place September 30th.
Best Fundraiser (Suburbs):
New Mom’s Kitchen Walk
Oak Park
New Moms helps young mothers and their children with housing, job training and support. Each year, this organization shows off beautiful kitchens to raise money to further their mission to help young families create their own homes. With this year’s in-person event canceled, they pivoted to a virtual Kitchen Talk! to help keep this event, which accounts for $60,000 of their annal budget, going.
Best Give-Back Opportunity:
Mother’s Trust Foundation Pop Up Prom Shoppe
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The heart of the Mother’s Trust mission is to provide a resource that can respond quickly and provide immediate assistance to low-income children and families in need. As a result of the pandemic, many families have gone from low-income to no income. In a normal year, Mother’s Trust hosts the Pop Up Prom Shoppe, where they collect and distribute more than 3,000 dresses, shoes, jewelry and handbags to teens in need. For a child living in poverty, basic needs and ordinary experiences may seem impossible to attain, and we hope to see this important opportunity back in 2021!
