These organizations are making a huge difference in the lives of Chicagoans.
Best Charity Walk/Run (First Place)
North Suburban YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day 5K
This 5K supports Northbrook’s North Suburban YMCA, a nonprofit “dedicated to youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility; providing services and programs that are inclusive, engaging, and innovative for individuals of all ages, from infancy to adulthood.”
YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s Ricky Byrdsong Memorial Race Against Hate
Participants in this race raise funds for YWCA Evanston/North Shore’s work for racial justice and violence prevention.
Best Charity Walk/Run (Second Place)
The Cove School Annual 5K Run/Walk
This event supports The Cove School’s work providing “highly individualized education and life strategies for students with complex learning disabilities” with programs in STEAM, art, music, drama, and more.
Willow House Walk & 5K Run to Remember
The mission of this Bannockburn nonprofit is “to develop and provide supportive services for children, teens, families, schools and communities who are coping with grief and the death of a loved one.” Register today for the Sept. 8 event.
Best Fundraiser (City)
Bright Promises Foundation’s Annual Awards
Every year, Bright Promises Foundation, which works to create opportunities for all children and address the most urgent issues impacting them, honors individuals and organizations also working in this area at their annual awards. This year’s awards will be held Oct. 15 and will celebrate 150 years of Bright Promises.
Best Fundraiser (Suburbs)
Keshet’s Annual Concert
Keshet, a Philanthropy Award winner that supports individuals with disabilities, will host its annual concert on Nov. 9 in Skokie.
North Suburban YMCA’s Strong Kids Dinner
The annual dinner features live and silent auctions, games, raffles, and more to support the work of North Suburban YMCA. The Y’s annual Strong Kids Dinner enables more than 1 out of 5 children, adults, and families (more than 2,800 people) in its 15 town service area, to partake in life-changing programs and services through financial assistance provided by the Strong Kids Fund.
Best Gala
Auditorium Theatre’s Annual Fall Gala
This gala raises funds for the restoration of the Auditorium Theatre, a National Historic Landmark, as well as programming. This year’s gala will be held Nov. 16.
Twist Out Cancer’s Brushes with Cancer
The Brushes with Cancer program matches those touched by cancer with artists who create a piece to showcase their previvor’s, survivor’s, or caregiver’s journey. The artwork is then showcased at a gala and auction.
Best Give-Back Opportunity (City — First Place)
Misericordia Heart of Mercy
6300 N. Ridge, Chicago
Misericordia/Heart of Mercy supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Regular volunteer opportunities are available, or you can sign up to help during special events throughout the year, including the holiday bakery.
Best Give-Back Opportunity (City — Second Place)
Better Sister and Brother Growth Network
10824 S. Halsted St., Chicago
This organization provides educational, human services, domestic violence, economic, environmental, and community development services to low-income families and individuals and the homeless.
Best Give-Back Opportunity (Suburbs)
The Kindness Connection
2052 Northbrook Court, Northbrook
This organization supports the next generation of volunteers by making service opportunities accessible to Chicago-area youth.
