As we enter the holiday season, the true spirit of joy is found in giving, especially to those who need it most. And there’s science behind this. Research has consistently shown that acts of generosity — whether it’s giving gifts, financial support, or donations — increase our happiness even more than spending on ourselves. At Better, we’re dedicated to making it simple and meaningful to share comfort and joy with individuals who need it most, and organizations that most effectively turn your donations into meaningful impact, like the exceptional winners of the Make It Better Foundation’s annual Philanthropy Awards.
Every nonprofit on this list has collaborated with Better in 2024 to bring positive, measurable change to our communities. We’ve invited them to share how they will put your contribution to good use, providing quantifiable examples of how your donations of varying amounts can make a real difference.
Learn more about how your nonprofit or one your champion can partner with the Make It Better Foundation.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
For nearly 40 years, Chicago Shakespeare Theater has invited all to share powerful stories that connect and inspire our community across three stages, in classrooms and neighborhoods across the city, and in venues around the world. A Tony Award-winning institution, we are a home for new works expanding the theatrical cannon as well as Chicago’s leading theater for Shakespeare. With initiatives like Bard Core, a free program that assists teachers in classroom techniques for Shakespeare, and SLAM, a multi-faceted program reaching over 150 students focusing on Shakespeare text in action, we are proud to bring Shakespeare’s classics into today’s world. Situated on Navy Pier, ‘the people’s pier,’ Chicago Shakespeare believes theater is for all and we aim to break barriers for accessible, live theater both at home and around the globe.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) creates and advances art to reveal the diversity, power, and mystery of the human experience. Our bold, visionary productions and programs sit at the cultural crossroads of our great city, giving voice to stories that bridge countries, cultures, communities, and generations. Chicago Shakespeare Theater is dedicated to: Extraordinary productions, featuring Shakespeare and other classic performances, world premieres of exciting new theater, and international works; Creative Learning, offering robust education programs that support teachers and students in their literacy journey; and Community Partnership, making arts programming accessible to more Chicagoans while elevating the voices of artists of color.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Provides 3 tickets for our $30 Under 30 ticket program for young professionals.
$500: Allows an entire classroom to attend a student matinee, providing hands-on access to professional live theater and classroom resources to promote discussion and collaboration.
$1000: Sponsors a Shakes in the City performance in one of our 20+ partner communities across the city, bringing an adapted Shakespeare show to their local park.
Visit the Chicago Shakespeare Theater donation page to pledge your gift.
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA), a Make It Better Philanthropy Award winner, strives to ensure no one sits on the sidelines. The GLASA mission is to empower and support youth, adults and injured military Veterans who have a primary physical or visual disability through inclusive adaptive sports programs. GLASA has been serving the community for 25 years and supports athletes through resources, services and 24 adaptive sports programs to empower the athletes to reach their highest potential in all pursuits of life.
GLASA is an athlete first organization committed to excellence. GLASA is celebrating 25 years of inclusive programming and services for the adaptive community. Looking to the future our strategy is to:
Expand programming and services both locally and in areas underserved for the adaptive community.
Extend our partnerships to drive engagement and awareness. Establish a community home, a gathering space to foster community across our programs, athletes, staff, family, volunteers and coaches.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$5,000: could provide team travel to regional and national competitions for one adaptive sport.
$4,000: could purchase one piece of customized adaptive equipment for a GLASA athlete.
$3,000: could cover the facility cost for one adaptive sport for a year.
$2,000: could provide one month of staff, equipment and support for Veterans programs.
$1,000: could provide a full set of equipment for one sled hockey athlete.
$750: could cover the cost for GLASA to provide Camp Trek for one child with a disability to try adaptive sports for the first time.
$500: could provide necessary adaptive team apparel for one sport like swim caps, jerseys, and more!
$250: could provide a one-year scholarship for one athlete with a disability to participate in unlimited GLASA programs.
$100: could purchase adaptive equipment for one sport like balls, pucks, and more.
Visit the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association donation page to pledge your gift.
Mercy Housing Lakefront
Mercy Housing Lakefront, a Make It Better Philanthropy Award winner, is committed to creating affordable homes and inspiring dreams as we work with residents and partners to establish engaged, strong, and inclusive communities. Mercy Housing Lakefront is the largest affordable housing nonprofit in the region, providing affordable rental homes to nearly 7,000 residents in over 40 communities in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.
Along with a home, residents need access to opportunities and resources, which is why we are committed to our integrated model of providing coordinated onsite services along with affordable housing. We provide programming that supports health and housing success, fosters community engagement, improves financial well-being, and encourages youth development from early childhood through high school. These evidence-based programs are implemented at the local level to meet the unique needs of each community and population served, including families, older adults, and people who have experienced chronic homelessness or have other special needs.
Mercy Housing Lakefront’s mission is to create stable, vibrant, and healthy communities by developing, financing, and operating affordable, program-enriched housing for families, seniors, and people with special needs who lack the economic resources to access quality, safe housing opportunities. Key upcoming initiatives include: Increasing the supply of affordable rental housing by breaking ground on Prairie District Apartments, a new affordable housing community that will provide 150 homes for individuals and families in the South Loop of Chicago; Expanding the Community Connect Program, which builds connections between residents, encourages the sharing of resources and skills, and facilitates resident leadership; Continuing and replicating a pilot mental health program implemented with partners in DuPage County, which helped 100% of surveyed participants improve their interactions with others and 81% improve their mental health symptoms; Improving healthcare access for residents by collaborating with partners in Chicago, suburban Illinois, and Milwaukee.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
Many new permanent supportive housing residents have no income and move from homelessness into their new homes without basic home goods. A donation of $100 could give a new permanent supportive housing resident a Welcome Basket full of essential household items, including pots and pans, dishes, bedding, and towels.
In 2023 the U.S. Surgeon General declared a national loneliness epidemic, and older adults experience disproportionate rates of social isolation. A gift of $500 could fund an event designed to connect residents and build community at an affordable housing community serving older adults.
Mercy Housing Lakefront is home to more than 1,000 youth residents. We know that youth who participate in after school and summer enrichment programs perform better at school and are healthier and happier kids. A gift of $1,000 could provide program supplies for out of school time programming at one of Mercy Housing Lakefront’s family affordable housing communities.
Visit the Mercy Housing Lakefront donation page to pledge your gift.
Crushers Club
The Crushers Club, a Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Awards, is a violence prevention non-profit located in the Englewood community on the South Side of Chicago. Our mission is to be the strongest alternative to gangs by providing the support and tools needed to restore their path and rebuild their communities. Our core values are love, ownership, respect and discipline. We serve young men 12 to 19 who are involved or at risk to be involved in the justice system. We are a youth operated, workforce centered program that offers workforce employment and training, mentoring, Tax Prep classes, construction, boxing,
culinary and welding to name a few of our programs. In the last 12 months we employed over 129 young men who worked over 29,000 hours and earned combined wages of $450,000 which resulted in our lowest recidivism rates to date!
Our mission is to be the strongest alternative to gangs and the streets. In a nutshell, we replicated the gang model without the guns and crime. We compete with the streets on a wage basis. Our goal for next year is to employ over 200 high risk teens, and expand our model to other communities through a Crushers certification program. We are proud to be funded by Cook County, the State of Illinois and many other funders and individuals. We also are proud to be in the top 1% of non profit financials with only 9% of funding going to admin and 90% going directly to programming. We always have a waiting list of about 50 young men and our goal is to expand to meet our ongoing demand.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: provides water for 55 young men for 1 month
$500: pays for gas for 1 month of transportation
$1000: provides food for 1 month of programming
Visit the Crushers Club donation page to pledge your gift.
Associated Colleges of Illinois
Remember when you needed a little help to get through college? Beyond dollars and cents, placing yourself in the shoes of a student transcends the purpose of giving into a meaningful way to create impact. There are multiple ways that your support can enhance the life of a student. With your donation, you will help Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) get them through many of life’s daily challenges. Every contribution, whether large or small, is an investment in a student’s future. Join us in making a tangible difference today!
Associated Colleges of Illinois supports member colleges and universities by advancing independent liberal arts and sciences education and helping underserved students succeed in college, career and life. Our mission supports values that embrace the diversity of member schools and empower students to obtain a degree. College is a sure path to economic mobility. Generous donor funding provides scholarships, emergency financial aid, and professional development support to make students thrive. 100% of funds raised go directly to support students. If a program reaches full funding, we allocate your generous gift to another program to help as many students as possible.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Enables a student to repair a broken cell phone or laptop to stay connected to their classes, resources, and community.
$500: Empowers a student to purchase the books and school supplies they need to do well in the classroom.
$1,000: Rapidly delivers financial relief when an unexpected hardship threatens a student’s education, health, safety or basic needs.
Visit the Associated Colleges of Illinois donation page to pledge your gift.
The Joffrey Ballet
Make a gift to The Joffrey Ballet, a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, and support our community of artists and students of all ages and abilities through the transformative power of dance. For 69 years, the Joffrey has relied on generous donors to support the organization’s work inside and outside of the
studio. Individual donations have expanded programming on stage and in classrooms around Chicago, established the Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet and Community Engagement programs, and strengthened the Joffrey’s reputation worldwide.
Join our Joffrey Donor Family today. Make a gift to support a bright future for dance as we share in the joy of connection and community. Your contribution goes directly to support our Company Artists, students, and educationprograms.
The Joffrey Ballet believes in the positive, transformative power of the arts. Through high-quality performances, inclusive education, and innovative community engagement programs, the Joffrey is committed to “Joffrey for All,” creating opportunities for everyone, regardless of their background, to experience, support, and participate in dance.
This year, the Joffrey is excited to expand our impact through all three pillars of the organization. Our Grainger Academy of The Joffrey Ballet will continue to reach students of all ages and abilities, with Community Engagement programs bringing dance to 77 Chicago neighborhoods. Initiatives include the free Nutcracker Student Matinee for Chicago Public School students, the Joffrey for All free performance in Millennium Park, and our Dancing with Parkinson’s program. We also look forward to our 15th annual Winning Works for ALAANA (African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, and Native American) choreographers, dedicated to amplifying the next generation of artists.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
A contribution of $100 can make a remarkable difference in the life of a Joffrey Company Artist by underwriting a pair of pointe shoes. These specialized shoes are essential tools for our dancers, allowing them to perform at their best and express their artistry on stage.
A contribution of $500 can cover the cost of a Grainger Academy dance class for our Children and Youth programs, opening doors to creativity and expression for young dancers. These classes provide invaluable instruction from talented professionals, fostering not only technical skills but also confidence and a sense of community among students.
A contribution of $1,000 can provide crucial support for an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter at our 2024-2025 season events. Ensuring accessibility for all attendees is a fundamental priority at The Joffrey Ballet, and having an ASL interpreter allows us to create an inclusive environment for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.
Visit the Joffrey Ballet donation page to pledge your gift.
Ingenuity
Ingenuity was born from a city-wide movement uniting arts education stakeholders to address inequities in access within Chicago Public Schools (CPS). Since 2011, we have spearheaded collaborative initiatives across public and private sectors, pioneering data-driven frameworks to close the arts education gap in CPS. We transcend mere statistics, harnessing data to influence policy, direct resource allocation, and ensure equitable access to the arts. Our mission is clear: every CPS student deserves the chance to experience the transformative power of the arts, regardless of their background. To fulfill this mission, Ingenuity adopts a multi-faceted approach encompassing data collection, partnership development with CPS and community stakeholders, advocacy for equitable funding, and professional development for educators and arts partners. Additionally, we manage the Creative Schools Fund to
support innovative programming and engage the community, amplifying diverse voices to ensure that arts education benefits every student.
At Ingenuity, our mission is to ensure every student in Chicago Public Schools has equitable access to high-quality arts education, fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking. In partnership with CPS, we are thrilled to launch the Arts Education Plan 2.0: Cultivating Creativity, a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing arts education district-wide. This collaborative effort will engage over 500 stakeholders, including students, educators, and arts organizations, to co-create a plan that reflects community needs and aspirations. Key initiatives for next year include enhanced data collection processes to inform arts programming, expanded fundraising efforts to support arts integration, and
strengthened partnerships with local organizations to enrich student experiences. Together, we are committed to building a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable arts education ecosystem that empowers all students to thrive and unlock their full potential through the arts.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Your contribution can fund one hour of immersive arts programming with guest artists. This experience enriches in-school time by inspiring students through engaging workshops and demonstrations, igniting their creativity and passion for the arts.
$500: A generous donation of $500 can create unforgettable memories through a field trip to a local museum or theater. This invaluable real-world arts experience allows students to connect with the arts outside the classroom, broadening their horizons and deepening their appreciation for culture.
$1,000: Your impactful donation of $1,000 will equip our arts programs with essential hardware and equipment for performances and classes. This includes laptops, iPads, and 3D printers, all of which significantly enhance the educational experience by providing students with the tools they need to bring their creative visions to life.
Visit the Ingenuity donation page to pledge your gift.
Nurse-Family Partnership
Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is an evidence-based, community health program with 45 years of research showing significant improvements in the health and lives of first-time moms and their children affected by social and economic inequality. Each year, we provide care to more than 55,000 families in 40 states plus Washington D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, and some Tribal communities. A report from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University shows how very early childhood experiences influence later learning, behavior and health. The Harvard report shows basic brain functions related to vision, hearing and language development during the first 30 months of a child’s life. During this timeframe, the early and intensive support by a NFP nurse is proven to positively impact the future of the mom, child and family. The NFP program has been independently reviewed and evaluated and is ranked as the Gold Standard of home visiting programs.
Nurse-Family Partnership positively transforms the lives of vulnerable babies, mothers and families.
In 2025, we’ll focus on advancing health equity. The newest partnership that we have added is an Indigenous Wisdom Council, bringing together respected leaders from diverse Indigenous communities. This council will guide our work in tribal communities, advocating for culturally appropriate practices and policies in home visiting and support the overall success of NFP service to Indigenous communities. In addition, in response to unmet needs in communities nationwide, we have expanded NFP client eligibility to serve clients who have previously given birth and clients enrolling late into the program (after 28th week of pregnancy). Our expansion is already serving more than 2,000 families enrolled across 16 states and 37 local programs. In early 2025, we will broaden this initiative to 25 new sites to
serve the unmet needs of communities as we work nationwide to advance health equity.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$25: Enough to provide a crucial service like a prenatal wellness screening from an NFP Nurse Home Visitor
$50: Allows an NFP nurse to complete 2 postpartum depression screenings.
$500: Funds travel to Washington D.C. for one Parent Ambassador to speak with legislators and advocate on behalf of other families served by NFP.
Visit the Nurse-Family Partnership donation page to pledge your gift.
Keshet
For more than 40 years, Keshet, a Make It Better Philanthropy Award winner, has been a leader in disability inclusion in the Chicagoland area and beyond. Through schools, camps, recreation and social programs, vocational support, adult services and residential homes, nearly 600 youth and adults with disabilities benefit directly from Keshet support with another 4,000+ community members impacted each year. Keshet serves people with complex needs and from all backgrounds, with a commitment that no one should be turned away for an inability to pay for services.
Keshet creates a community of belonging where people of all abilities learn, play, work, live and grow together. By offering individualized support, Keshet helps each participant thrive, fostering independence and lifelong skills. In 2025, Keshet will expand its impact with a new program for parents of infants and additional social activities for seniors. In response to the growing need in our community, Keshet will offer more opportunities for elementary-aged students, including Keshet Camp North, a sensory play-based day camp, and a co-taught, integrated kindergarten class at Solomon Schechter Day School. At the same time, Keshet is fulfilling a dream of building a community center located in Highland Park, which will serve as a welcoming space for individuals with and without disabilities to connect and grow.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
Gifts of all sizes make an impact on the lives of people with disabilities served by Keshet and our mission for an inclusive community.
$100: Provides the opportunity for someone to experience being part of a team by covering the cost of a season of buddy baseball for one player.
$500: Sponsors 14 hours of individualized job coaching for an adult gaining financial independence for the first time.
$1000: Gives 7 days of camp, fun and friendship to a child who otherwise could not afford to attend.
Visit the Keshet donation page to pledge your gift.
Lurie Children’s
Lurie Children’s is the premiere pediatric healthcare provider in the region and the top-ranked children’s hospital in Illinois. Our impact extends beyond medical care, as we strive to create a healthier future for every child in Chicago and beyond. ks
Our world-class research teams pursue cures for the most challenging pediatric conditions. Through the Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities, we actively address health disparities in local neighborhoods, utilizing innovative approaches such as our mobile health unit and forging partnerships in communities like Austin. Our Family Services team enhances the patient experience, offering kid-friendly and family-centered support through social work, child life specialists, and creative arts therapists. As a nonprofit medical center, philanthropic support is vital to our mission. Donations fund essential services not covered by insurance and programs that families receive at no cost, and allow us to serve every child in every community.
Lurie Children’s is committed to ensuring that a child’s health is never determined by their family’s financial circumstances. Our primary initiative for the upcoming year is to strengthen the Access for Every Child fund. This essential fund supports underinsured or uninsured families by covering necessary treatments, ranging from routine check-ups to critical second-opinion exams for serious diagnoses.
With about 60% of our patients insured by Medicaid or CHIP and a 71% increase in uncompensated care over the last three years, enhancing this fund is vital. The demand for support among local families continues to grow, and your contributions to the Access for Every Child fund empower us to meet every need. Your generosity ensures that no child is left without the care they require, allowing families to focus solely on their child’s health without the burden of financial stress.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Could provide healthy groceries for one family for three months through our primary care clinic pantry.
$500: Can provide memory-making materials and grief resources that help Child Life Specialists support families who have lost a child. Child Life Specialists are entirely funded by philanthropy and families never receive a bill for their services.
$1,000: Can provide staff support for a pediatric oncology clinical trial, which will help discover new or more effective treatment options for children with cancer.
Visit the Lurie Children’s donation page to pledge your gift.
Chicago Public Library Foundation
We are the exclusive fundraising partner of the Chicago Public Library – launching, growing, and sustaining lifelong learning programs for Chicagoans of all ages, from providing homework help to students, creative & leadership opportunities for teens, and supporting Chicagoans on their digital learning journey with one-on-one coaching and assistance. Currently, we have more than 2,300 individual, business, and foundation partners that help advance literacy in all forms, connect communities, and support a more informed and engaged city, both online and across our city’s 81
branches.
The Library Foundation accelerates the potential of our public library by investing in resources that transform lives and communities through our three impact priorities: closing the academic opportunity gap, activating connection and creativity, and bridging the digital divide. A key initiative for next year is the activation of 81 Club, a groundbreaking initiative that automatically provides library accounts to all Chicago Public School students. In partnership with the Library, we aim to ensure that all students can
participate in the different learning programs the Library offers, maximizing their library card at home, in school, and in the branches. Early results from research conducted by the University of Chicago’s Chapin Hall showed that the 81 club has broad reach among those students who most benefit from Library access, including lower-income youth and English- language learners.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Funds one afternoon of homework help with a Teacher in the Library.
$500: Empowers 40 teens with year-round digital media, creative, and leadership experiences.
$1,000: Delivers 40 sessions of digital literacy support with a Cybernavigator.
Visit the Chicago Public Library Foundation donation page to pledge your gift.
The Family Institute at NU
Through research, education and clinical services, The Family Institute at Northwestern University is one of the nation’s leading relationship-based behavioral health organizations committed to strengthening and healing children and adolescents, couples, families and individuals. We partner with our clients to see change and help them through life’s challenges within our clinical practice of 200 therapists and therapists-in-training. The Family Institute believes that therapy should be available to everyone regardless of their ability to pay. Through our Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic, we are committed to offering free therapy services to those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford it. We educate future behavioral health leaders through our Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling programs in partnership with Northwestern University. Through The Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies at Northwestern University, we conduct innovative research using the latest evidence-based findings to inform our therapy in practice.
The Family Institute at Northwestern University strengthens and heals individuals, couples and families from all walks of life through education, clinical service and research. In 2025, we aim to serve our mission through the Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic by providing counseling and psychotherapy to 1,150 clients from underserved communities in
the form of 14,400 units or hours of therapy. Additionally, The Family Institute will teach and train over 1,100 master’s level students and award $2.6M in scholarships. The Family Institute will continue to offer free therapy services through our Bette D. Harris Family and Child Clinic and maintain our staff practice with nearly 85,000 client visits.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Supports one month of counseling for a grieving parent
$500: Covers five months of family therapy
$1,000: Supports long-term cognitive behavioral therapy for someone with anxiety
Visit the The Family Institute at NU donation page to pledge your gift.
Girls in the Game
Girls in the Game, a Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award winner, provides sports, health, and leadership programs to girls across Chicago and beyond. Girls in the Game primarily works with girls of color on the south and west sides of Chicago, providing critical all-girl programming to girls living in low-income neighborhoods. Girls in the Game uses Sports-Based Youth Development (SBYD) principles, using sport as a tool to develop positive outcomes in girls’ lives. Through their programs, participants can try a variety of sports like soccer, lacrosse, yoga, and volleyball, while also learning about important health and leadership topics like self-advocacy and positive body image. By trying new sports in a welcoming environment, girls build confidence, make new friends, and develop leadership skills — skills that help girls excel in the outside world.
Since 1995, Girls in the Game has operated with the mission of helping every girl her voice, discover her strength and build confidence through fun and active sports, health, and leadership programs. This year, Girls in the Game will head into their 30th year of service, looking for additional ways to empower girls to speak up, stand out, and inspire future generations. Funding this year will go toward After School programming, Sports and Leadership Summer Camp, Teen Squad and Teen Club programming, and one-day programs. A newer initiative this year is looking at ways to engage Girls in the Game alumnae between the ages of 18-24, providing ongoing opportunities for professional development to serve young women after they have graduated high school.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Pays for 10 girls to attend one day of Girls in the Game’s After School Programming, where girls learn lessons on topics like body image, personal safety, and personal hygiene in a welcoming environment.
$500: Pays for one year of scholarship money for a Teen Squad participant, helping them to save money for their future education.
$1000: Pays for an entire Girls in the Game Regional Clinic, providing a safe place for girls to go when school is not in session to connect with coaches and other participants.
Visit the Girls in the Game donation page to pledge your gift.
By The Hand Club
By The Hand, a Make It Better Philanthropy Award winner, is a Christ-centered, after-school program that takes kids by the hand and walks with them from kindergarten through college, loving and nurturing them—mind, body and soul.
By The Hand began in 2001 with 16 children from Cabrini-Green. Since then, we have witnessed transformation within the lives of our kids—and within our organization. Thanks to the countless people who started with one step, one gift, one prayer, one student, we now serve more than 2,000 kids from Cabrini-Green, Altgeld-Murray, Austin, North Austin and Englewood. This year, By The Hand launched Bowen Harvest, a hydroponic container farm yielding four acres of produce in just 500 sq. feet annually, and opened a permanent structure for Austin Harvest, a student-led fresh food market, bringing hope and healing to the community. By The Hand’s newest club, a 150,000 sq. ft. facility, part of North Austin Community Center’s 10-acre campus, plans to serve 250 students and their families this year.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Nourishes 35 students with 1 dinner at Club
$500: Provides our college students with travel assistance and emergency support
$1,000: Gives 3 students Chromebooks with access to literacy software at Club
Visit the By The Hand donation page to pledge your gift.
Greater Good Science Center, UCB
The Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) helps people discover connection, purpose, and well-being with tools grounded in cutting-edge research. Through our free articles, online courses, and our popular Science of Happiness podcast, we make it easy to bring more kindness, resilience, and gratitude into everyday life. Our resources empower teachers, parents, mental health professionals, and community leaders to build stronger relationships and bring people together. By sharing practical, science-based tools, we help individuals and communities thrive and work toward a more compassionate world—one where empathy, understanding, and belonging grow.
The Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) translates cutting-edge research into practical tools that foster well-being, empathy, and resilience. In the coming year, we’ll expand our support for teachers with more workshops, community meetings, and online courses to help them build compassionate, connected classrooms. Our new Parenting for the Greater Good workbook and workshops will offer strategies to support parents’ mental health and help them raise emotionally resilient children. We’ll also grow our programs for higher education leaders, teaching science-based skills to help them bridge divides and tackle today’s most pressing challenges by creating constructive dialogue on their campuses. Our new multi-year projects exploring the roles of Forgiveness and Love in personal and social well-being will continue to help individuals and communities thrive. From educators and parents to community leaders around the world, the GGSC empowers people to create a better society for the greater good.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Can provide free science-based resources—like articles, podcast episodes, and toolkits—to people seeking practical strategies for emotional resilience and connection.
$500: Can support online workshops and community meetings, equipping educators, parents, and leaders with tools to
build more compassionate classrooms, families, and communities.
$1,000: Can help grow initiatives like the Bridging Differences Fellowship, empowering participants to bridge divides and promote understanding across communities.
To build connections within our community of supporters, we offer special webinars, program impact reports, and opportunities to connect with our experts and researchers throughout the year. We are grateful to each individual, family, and organization who supports our work. Every gift to to the GGSC makes an impact, helping us share the science of a meaningful life with people around the world.
Visit the Greater Good Science Center (GGSC) donation page to pledge your gift.
H.O.M.E.
Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.), a Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award winner, has championed as well as operated
intergenerational affordable housing in Chicago for over 40 years. As evident from its name, H.O.M.E.’s mission is centered around older people; H.O.M.E. models the Chicago we wish to see, in which seniors are centered and not marginalized in our communities. Indeed, H.O.M.E. also operates housing support programs for seniors out in the neighborhoods: a home repair program for low-income homeowners on the south and west sides, a shopping bus for senior buildings, and moving assistance. Serving over 600 predominantly older people annually in a supportive environment that recognizes their gifts as well as their needs is H.O.M.E.’s particular expertise.
The mission of H.O.M.E. is to help seniors remain independent and part of their community by offering
intergenerational living and by providing a variety of housing support services. In addition to continuing to provide its award-winning housing and programs, H.O.M.E.’s key initiatives for 2025 include ensuring the sustainability of its Upkeep & Repair Program, which is the only fully-staffed home repair program serving low-income seniors in Chicago; building the Fix Our Homes Illinois coalition, led by H.O.M.E., to expand home repair resources statewide; and producing an “Intergenerational Housing Manual” so other groups can replicate H.O.M.E.’s award-winning model.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$30 supports an activity — a Juneteenth celebration, Pride party, and more — for senior residents in our intergenerational housing; $60 funds an outing, like a theater or museum visit, for residents of our intergenerational housing; $120 helps H.O.M.E. provide 12 seniors safe transportation to the grocery store on the south and west sides of Chicago; $600 underwrites the cost to help a senior move into safer, more accommodating housing; $1,000 covers labor, materials, and service fees for a major plumbing, electrical, or other repair for a senior homeowner, helping the homeowner stay independent and safe; $5,000 helps cover costs related to an apartment, meals, and activities for an older adult in one of our intergenerational buildings.
Visit the H.O.M.E. donation page to pledge your gift.
Urban Initiatives (UI)
Many Chicago youth and families still lack access to the transformative power of team sports and play. We are changing this narrative with the support of a diverse stakeholder community who believe in the right to sports and play for all. For 20 years, UI has trained and hired local community members as coaches, placing them in Chicago Public Schools to provide free sports and play-based programs from pre-k to high school. Students leave our program more confident, connected, and committed to academic and career success. Currently, we serve nearly 80K students across 45 Chicago neighborhoods and are on track to serve 100K by 2025.
At UI our mission is to use the power of sports and play to empower Chicago’s youth to achieve academic success, develop social-emotional skills, and build social capital. Events we host to support our work: The Soccer Ball: Urban Initiatives’ annual gala brings together professionals, corporate leaders, and community members to raise $600,000+ for youth sports. Enjoy cocktails, food by Lettuce Entertain You, and an award ceremony, with fundraising through ticket/table sales, a paddle raise, silent auction, and an evening of celebration.
Community Play Cup: A grand finale of our year, uniting student players for a day of play and celebration. We cap off the festivities with a rewarding ceremony and dance party, extending a warm welcome to parents, family members, and school leaders. Our fundraising goal of $125,000 is set to ensure that we can continue serving more students year after year.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Covers the cost of 10 students being able to take home their own soccer ball.
$500: Covers cost of bussing for one team to travel to game days.
$1,000: Covers the cost of one team snacks for an entire season.
Visit the UI donation page to pledge your gift.
Lever for Change
Lever for Change is a nonprofit donor advisor that connects funders with bold solutions to the world’s biggest problems—including issues like racial inequity, gender inequality, lack of access to economic opportunity, and climate change. Using an inclusive, equitable model and due diligence process, Lever for Change creates customized open call challenges and other tailored funding opportunities. Top-ranked teams and challenge finalists become members of the Bold Solutions Network—a growing global network that helps secure additional funding for as many applicants as possible, amplify members’ impact, and accelerate social change. Founded in 2019 as a nonprofit affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Lever for Change has influenced over $2.2 billion in grants to date and provided support to more than 500 organizations.
Lever for Change connects donors and creative thinkers who are trying to solve the world’s biggest problems—including issues like racial inequity, gender inequality, lack of access to economic opportunity, and climate change. Using an inclusive, equitable model and due diligence process, Lever for Change creates customized open call challenges and other tailored funding opportunities to find and fund big, bold ideas. Top-ranked teams, challenge finalists, and awardees become members of our Bold Solutions Network—a growing global network that helps secure additional funding, amplify members’ impact, and accelerate social change. We believe that solving big problems requires ambition, urgency, scale, and significant resources. So far, Lever for Change has influenced over $2.2 billion in grants and provided support to more than 500 organizations. Our goal is to reach $2.5 billion in funding by the end of 2025.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
All donations will go to members of our Bold Solutions Network—a growing global network of highly rated organizations sourced across our challenges that are well-positioned to secure additional funding, amplify their impact, and accelerate social change.
Visit the Lever for Change donation page to pledge your gift.
Big Shoulders Fund
Since 1986, Big Shoulders Fund has helped Chicago’s most underserved school children achieve their dreams through access to a quality, values-based education. We accomplish this by investing more than $40 million annually in scholarship support and academic enrichment for students, operational improvements for schools, leadership development programs for the next generation of school leaders, and academic programs and professional development for teachers. Today, we are a catalyst for change, shaping the future and opening doors of opportunity for all students. Big Shoulders Fund currently serves over 19,000 students in 72 schools in the Chicagoland region. In 2019, Big Shoulders
Fund’s programming and impact was expanded to provide resources for 20 schools and nearly 6,000 students in Northwest Indiana.
We support schools with demonstrated need, which provide students with access to quality, values-based education in Chicago and Northwest Indiana’s most vulnerable and underserved communities. We serve approximately 25,000 students in our network of 92 schools located in communities with demonstrated need. Our students come from every corner of Chicago and Northwest Indiana, 80 percent of whom identify as Black or Hispanic and 70 percent reside in low-income households. We provide important resources for teachers, students, families and communities through leadership training and support for teachers, and by adding programs such as literacy, STEM, the Power of Play, Financial Literacy and our newest program: Civics. Through these programs, and through our expanding Plus schools initiatives, we provide not only excellent education, but also vital resources that foster learning, growth, drive student achievement and empower them towards lifelong success and self-sufficiency in a safe and stable environment.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Provides extra supplies for Extended Day program for seasonal arts, crafts and activities, art supplies, games, puzzles, and sports equipment.
$500: Restocks a classroom library with new, high-interest books to engage readers of all levels and interests.
$1,000: Can equip a science classroom with a set of microscopes or cover the cost of a classroom science curriculum for one year.
Visit the Big Shoulders Fund donation page to pledge your gift.
Trees That Feed Foundation
Trees That Feed Foundation, a Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award Winner, combats hunger, poverty, and climate change. Based in Chicagoland, the organization serves developing countries in the Caribbean, Central America, and Africa.
TTFF’s main program is planting food bearing trees, especially breadfruit. Supporting programs emphasize the life-changing value of fruit trees. They include school feeding, education, and entrepreneurship, including women’s empowerment. The goal is for beneficiaries, whether individuals, families, communities, or countries, to become self-sufficient.
Trees That Feed Foundation plants food-bearing trees to feed people, create jobs, and benefit the environment. In 2025, TTFF plans to multiply our successful programs in Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world. We also have exciting plans to establish new programs in East Africa! This work benefits schoolchildren, farmers, entrepreneurs like breadfruit flour processors and women vendors, and many others. Be part of this sustainable solution!
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Five robust breadfruit trees, each of which can feed a family for
generations
$500: A food processor, equipment necessary for an entrepreneur to
set up a breadfruit flour factory
$1,000: Breadfruit-based meals for 250 children for an entire school
year
Visit the Trees That Feed Foundation donation page to pledge your gift.
Metropolitan Family Services
Metropolitan Family Services (MFS), a Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award winner, empowers families to learn, to earn, to heal, to thrive. Part mentor, part motivator, part advocate, since 1857 MFS has been the engine of change that empowers families to reach their greatest potential and positively impact their communities. MFS reaches 183,600 families and individuals annually with a range of holistic social and legal services, provided through 10 community centers and multiple sites throughout Chicago, Cook and DuPage Counties, as well as in Northern and Central Illinois. The agency meets those in its communities where they are, supporting and adapting to their consistently evolving needs. MFS’ services promote education, economic stability,
emotional wellness and empowerment.
Our mission is to provide and mobilize the services needed to strengthen families and communities.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Provides one therapy session with a clinician
$500: Provides expungement support through the Legal Aid Society’s CP4P Justice Corps
$1,000: Provides a secure laptop for a staff member providing home-based therapy services
Visit the Metropolitan Family Services donation page to pledge your gift.
The Climate Center
The Climate Center is a climate and energy policy nonprofit working to rapidly reduce climate pollution at scale, starting in California. We are a think-tank, do-tank working to turn bold ideas into action for a climate-safe future. Our flagship Climate-Safe California campaign is a unique and comprehensive effort to make California the first state in the nation to reach carbon negative.
Our mission is to rapidly reduce climate pollution at scale, starting in California. California sets the standard for climate action. When we enact bolder, more ambitious policy, the world follows. With oil
interests and corporate utilities fighting desperately to protect their profits and the future of federal climate action uncertain, California’s role is more important than ever. That means our work at The Climate Center is more important than ever, too. We are a think-tank and do-tank working to make bold climate solutions a reality in California. Our research, webinars, and media outreach form the foundation
for game-changing policies. We are laser-focused on ensuring that California meets the climate imperative head on, acting at the speed and scale that science demands to restore the stable climate system that has supported life on Earth for thousands of years.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
Every we dollar receive goes toward making climate solutions a reality in California.
This year, together with policymakers, scientists, business leaders, local governments, activists, and others across the climate movement, we:
Enacted a pioneering bidirectional electric vehicle bill, SB 59 (Skinner). SB 59 advances the use of EV batteries to prevent power outages, which will reduce reliance on polluting fossil fuels and save Californians’ money on their electricity bills. Catalyzed California’s new, first-of-their-kind targets for natural carbon drawdown and other nature-based climate solutions. Restored hundreds of millions of dollars in state investments for climate solutions. Passed a $10 billion climate bond out of the legislature. If approved by voters in the November 2024 election, Prop 4 will support wildfire protection, clean water, and climate-friendly agriculture. Played a key role in the movement to enact “polluter pays” laws that hold Big Oil accountable and reduce pollution in frontline communities.
Visit The Climate Center donation page to pledge your gift.
Writers Theatre
Proclaimed “America’s finest regional theater company” by The Wall Street Journal, Writers Theatre has captivated audiences for over 30 years with reimagined classics and groundbreaking new work. Renowned for world-class artistic experiences, Writers Theatre is a non-profit theatre that supports the creation of new works and provides educational outreach and audience enrichment programs.
The Writers Theatre mission is to create intimate connections through astonishing performances and innovative programs; by activating relationships between artists and community; and by inviting people to gather in our spaces for transformative experiences. The 2024/25 Season at Writers Theatre promises a year of unforgettable artistic programming in a deliberately intimate setting. From high-quality productions to thoughtful engagement events and education initiatives, Writers welcomes the community to connect with live performance through enriching experiences that extend beyond the theatre.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
Gifts at any level support the work on our stages, help reach the next generation in Chicagoland schools, and contribute to a more participatory theatre through our innovative engagement programs.
Visit the Writers Theatre donation page to pledge your gift.
Fresh Start Surgical Gifts
Fresh Start Surgical Gifts, a Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award winner, is a California-based organization that helps children with physical deformities get the medical care they need to live happy, healthy childhoods. We are dedicated to serving those who cannot afford or access this highly-specialized, expensive treatment due to being uninsured, under-insured, or geographically isolated.
Fresh Start Surgical Gifts transforms the lives of disadvantaged infants, children, and teens with physical deformities caused by birth defects, accidents, abuse, or disease through the gift of reconstructive surgery and related healthcare services. Fresh Start provides medical care for these children during our Surgery Weekend Program. Each eight-week Surgery Weekend Cycle includes an intensive two-day Surgery Weekend at one of our Fresh Start Clinics in the US, where qualified volunteer medical professionals provide extensive reconstructive and neuro-surgeries. These operations and additional medical care are provided at no cost to the patients and their families. The Surgery Weekend Program provides over 800 reconstructive surgeries, dental procedures, laser treatments, speech therapy services, and various other procedures and consultations to approximately 350 children annually.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
Financial contributions fuel our volunteer work during the Surgery Weekend Program, transforming every dollar into life-changing medical care for children who need it most. We have a very compelling value proposition, as we can leverage the donated medical care against the cash donations to create a multiplier effect. Every dollar donated to Fresh Start provides $3.50 in medical care, and 100% of your donations contributed are used to help fund direct costs from the Surgery Weekend Program. No amount of funds are ever be used for overhead costs.
Visit the Fresh Start Surgical Gifts donation page to pledge your gift.
Conservation Corps North Bay
Conservation Corps North Bay, the oldest local nonprofit youth conservation corps in the country, is a paid job training program that helps young adults navigate barriers to achieve their career goals. Since its founding in 1982, CCNB has helped thousands of young people earn their high school diploma and valuable job training skills, while providing meaningful service to the environment and community members in Sonoma and Marin counties.
The young people enrolled in CCNB are working hard to take the next step on their path to a sustainable career. Not only are they gaining valuable experience and certifications on special projects like preserving local natural habitats and collecting recyclable materials, they are effecting positive change and learning about the environmental impact humans have had on our communities.
CCNB’s mission is to develop youth and conserve natural resources for a resilient, sustainable, and equitable community. CCNB’s model is designed to meet the needs of vulnerable youth facing multiple barriers to employment: obtaining a high school diploma, learning English, gaining work and job readiness, and accessing critical services, including housing, childcare, transportation, and healthcare. Despite the systemic barriers that many corpsmembers face, they exhibit significant strength and determination to accomplish their goals. CCNB’s comprehensive suite of services are a year-round initiative that act as a launching pad for corpsmembers, preparing them to enter a living-wage career and become active members of the communities in which they live. This year we aim to continue our goal of 70% of successful corpsmembers in a positive placement after exiting CCNB, such as employed, in school, or in a job training program, and earning an average of $20 per hour.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Would provide breakfast for eight crews of corpsmembers before a day of work in the field on
projects such as fire fuel reduction and habitat restoration.
$500: Would buy a new pair of work boots for five corpsmembers who are working to preserve natural
habitats, collect and properly dispose of e-waste, or reduce acres of fire fuel on private and public land.
$1,000: Would buy chainsaws and other tools for corpsmember field work as they protect our
communities from the effects of climate change by reducing fire fuels and responding to floods.
Visit the Conservation Corps North Bay donation page to pledge your gift.
After School Matters
After School Matters’ mission is to provide Chicago high school teens with quality after-school and summer opportunities to explore and develop their talents while gaining critical skills for work, college, and beyond. ASM achieves this mission by offering high-quality, out-of-school time programming in the Arts, Communications & Leadership, Sports, and STEM. Ultimately, by providing teens access to professional instructor-mentors serving as positive adult influences, state-of-the-art educational resources, stipends for participation, and safe places to pursue their passions, ASM programming enables Chicago teens to discover their future and meet their full potential. ASM provides over 26,000 opportunities to teens each year, offering over 1,500 different programs at 362 locations across the city.
95% of our teens identify as people of color, and 3 out of 4 live in high poverty community areas.
ASM teens have higher school attendance, graduation, college enrollment, and college persistence rates than their non-participating peers.
After School Matters serves up to 19,000 Chicago teens each year across the city, offering them stipends to participate in programs that prepare them for the future. After School Matters recently purchased a 36,000-square-foot building at 1065 N. Orleans for more than $12 million and is now ramping up fundraising efforts to cover the renovation of the space, which is slated to open in late 2025.
ASM has launched a campaign to complete this endeavor and has raised roughly half of its $27 million fundraising goal.
The renovation plan will turn the building into a collaborative teen-centric space that offers teens a black box theater, gymnasium, state-of-the-art culinary kitchen, art studios, STEM labs, innovation lab, skilled trades lab, and outdoor spaces for urban gardening. The new building will serve some 1,500 teens each year.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Furnishes tools for a painting program.
$250: Provides one stipend for a diverse learner in a school-yearprogram.
$350: Covers bus transportation for one program field trip.
$500: Provides one stipend for our spring break college visit program.
$1,000: Supports a teen stipend for a summer arts program.
$2,500: Provides one stipend and program costs for a summer culinary program.
Visit the After School Matters donation page to pledge your gift.
Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression (AAAD) Foundation
Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit foundation with a primary mission of bridging the gap between mental health issue and solution. We offer free therapy to anyone in need. 100% of the funds raised goes towards creating resources for those struggling. We also offer many other resources such as our Mental Health Manual/Journal, Tell Your Story Testimonials and engaging Social Media posts to keep the conversation around Mental Health going!
We believe that Mental Health is HEALTH! When someone breaks an arm, they go to the doctor without question and take the necessary steps to get better while being supported by their close friends and family members. Why should it be ANY different with Mental Health? With our various fundraising events, such as STRIKE OUT THE STIGMA or #100MileNovember and countless others, we have been able to offer free therapy to over 200 people in the 6 years since our organization was founded. We just want to continue to watch the number of people we’re able to help grow!
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
Each donation of just $10 affords someone in need a FREE THERAPY SESSION! Absolutely free to the person who is struggling to make it easier for them to reach out for the help they need.
$50 = 5 therapy sessions
$100 = 10 therapy sessions
$500 = 50 therapy sessions
$1000 = 100 therapy sessions
Because of our partnerships with Better Help and Caraway, we are able to help so many more people get the care that they need!
Visit the Athletes Against Anxiety and Depression donation page to pledge your gift.
Art Institute of Chicago
The Art Institute of Chicago is committed to sharing our collections with our city and the world and inspiring an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity. Visitors enjoy landmark exhibitions, engaging public programming, in-gallery learning, and onsite art-making opportunities. The museum offers robust free access programs for Illinois residents, students, educators, and more.
The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities, centering the vision of artists and makers. We recognize that all art is made in a particular context, demanding continual, dynamic reconsideration in the present. We are a place of gathering; we foster the exchange of ideas and inspire an expansive, inclusive understanding of human creativity. Our upcoming exhibitions include a multimedia celebration of PanAfricanism, a thematic presentation of works by Frida Kahlo, and a Gustave Caillebotte retrospective. We are continuing to build out our in-gallery programs, with writing workshops and mindfulness tours. School groups attendance continues to grow; we are refining and growing our offerings for youth, students, and caregivers.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100 provides support for artmaking materials for a free teen studio workshop, such as Experimental Weaving or Painting Personal Landscapes; $500 supports a free community artmaking activity, available at public celebrations like Switch on Summer; $1000 supports two school buses to bring CPS students to the museum for a student-centered, interactive guided tour.
Visit the Art Institute of Chicago donation page to pledge your gift.
Snow City Arts
Snow City Arts (SCA), a Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award winner, provides standards-based arts education workshops for children and youth in Chicago hospitals. Our programs engage approximately 500 children each year in 1,000 hours of arts instruction at our partner hospitals, which include Rush University Children’s Hospital, Lurie Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospital UIC, and Cook County Health (aka Stroger Hospital). Our Teaching Artists engage children and youth in workshops in creative writing, media arts, music, theatre, and visual art, creating and delivering a rigorous arts curriculum that is designed to be differentiated to meet each student’s specific needs while remaining firmly grounded in our core values of racial equity, accessibility, and inclusion. All workshops adhere to state and national learning standards, allowing students to request school credit for time spent with SCA while hospitalized or recovering at home and are provided free of charge to children and their families.
Snow City Arts inspires and educates children and youth in hospitals through the arts through a variety of standards- based arts learning workshops, These include:
In-Person workshops in hospital rooms or hospital spaces; Art Parties, weeknight Zoom events focused on the creation of a specific art project and open to SCA students, alumni, their families, and the general public; Open Studios, an ongoing virtual community of SCA students and alumni designed to foster continued creative growth; Youth Leadership Council, a creative youth development initiative that launched in March 2024 that combines artmaking with experiences in leadership, communication, and teamwork, and will ultimately become a permanent voice in shaping SCA’s work; and Art Breaks: Wellness-focused artmaking workshops especially for healthcare workers, who have experienced record burnout in the wake of the pandemic. Programs this year will include both in-person and virtual options to maximize accessibility for our hospital colleagues.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$5,000: Would cover ALL of the visual art supplies we need for a whole year.
$1,000: Would cover music supplies for one year. Some of the fun instruments we have are plastic ukeleles, a tongue drum, a keyboard, a launchpad, and small percussion instruments.
$750: Will cover the cost of our new accessibility kits – these include things like accessible scissors, grip adapters to make it easy to hold a paintbrush, and communication boards
$500: Will cover 1 new iPad for a Teaching Artist and animation/drawing apps
$250: Will provide art kits for one Open Studio or Art Party program
$100: Would provide 5 professional quality drawing pens for 5 students. That could turn into a poem, a zine, or a book!
$50: Case of Model Magic — a high-quality, non-allergenic, sculpting clay that’s a staple of Snow City Arts workshops.
Visit the Snow City Arts donation page to pledge your gift.
The People’s Music School
The People’s Music School (TPMS), a Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award winner, is the largest completely tuition-free music school serving Chicago metropolitan area children, focusing on removing barriers to access for students who otherwise would not have the opportunity of intensive music instruction. TPMS enrolls 800+ students across 55 zip codes and teaches 21 instruments across its four program sites. Music education is transformational. Research shows that students from underserved communities who are able to access music lessons see a 73% increase in their math scores compared to their peers. Their reading, history, geography, and social skills also improve by 40%. But a high quality music education can cost $4,500 per year per student. The People’s Music School provides access to the benefits of an intensive music education, 100% tuition-free. Donate to The People’s Music School and ensure that every child has the chance to discover their potential through 100% tuition-free intensive music education.
The mission of The People’s Music School is to deliver access to the benefits of high-quality, tuition-free music education. Through intensive instruction and performance, our students achieve excellence in music that transfers to other areas in life. They grow musically, socially, emotionally and intellectually, and develop a foundation of responsibility, self-esteem, resilience and purpose. With a 90% student retention rate, and a 94% high school graduation and college acceptance rates, The People’s Music School strives to create the conditions that give every student that joins an opportunity to persist in a long-term journey of growth and progress in the program.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$2500: Funds one semester of intensive ensemble instruction
$1000: Funds one student double bass
$500: Funds one performance or master class from a visiting artist
$250: Funds one week of ensemble instruction
$100: Funds two private lessons
$50: Funds one month of oboe reeds for a student
Visit The People’s Music School donation page to pledge your gift.
U.S. Center for SafeSport
U.S. Center for SafeSport’s mission is to change the culture of sport at all levels by making athlete well-being & youth safety the centerpiece of our nation’s sports culture — because athletes deserve to participate in sports free from bullying, hazing, sexual misconduct, or any form of emotional or physical abuse. The Center’s authority encompasses 11+ million individuals of all ages in the 50+ sports affiliated with the US Olympic & Paralympic Movement. We can also assist other local and regional sports organizations create their own prevention and allegation response policies.
As a result of our work, a culture shift in sport is taking root. Athletes are rejecting the notion that sexual harassment is inevitable, coaches aren’t turning a blind eye to inappropriate behavior, and parents aren’t tolerating abusive practices. Together, we are establishing a culture where people are compelled to no longer sweep reports of abuse under the rug.
The Center’s goal is to spark awareness and culture change everywhere in sport. In this coming year, we would like to be able to expand the impact of our work.
PREVENTION EDUCATION EXPANSION & MORE RESOURCES FOR PARENTS
The Center aims to add to its offerings of online courses, numerous guides, handbooks, podcasts & videos, and in-person training sessions.
TRAIN GRASS-ROOTS SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS
We will expand the number of local and regional sports organizations we assist as they create more awareness and strong policies to protect minor athletes from harm.
RESPONDING TO INCREASING NUMBER OF REPORTS
Managing the rapidly increasing volume of reports of abuse and misconduct to the Center is our biggest challenge. The 7,533 reports received in 2023 is up 32% from 2022, 325% since 2000, and more than 2,500% since the Center opened in 2017.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Provides 4 scholarships for athletes, coaches, referees, parents, children, and healthcare workers become ‘SafeSport Trained®’ through our extensive online courses.
$500: Enhances the SafeSport Ready® app with new features. This new resource gives parents/guardians easy access to online courses; age-appropriate, trauma-informed advice
for talking to and listening to children on tough topics; making a report; and the database of anyone the Center has sanctioned or banned from coaching or participation.
$1,000: Sponsors the inaugural “SafeSport Best Practices Forum” where leaders of regional and local sports organizations learn about prevention and develop their own prevention education policies and procedures for immediately addressing reports of abuse or misconduct.
Visit the U.S. Center for SafeSport donation page to pledge your gift.
Harris Theater
The Harris Theater is Chicago’s primary residence for music and dance, connecting diverse audiences with outstanding artists from across the city, the nation, and the world.
The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance is Chicago’s primary residence for music and dance, connecting diverse audiences with outstanding artists from across the city, the nation, and the world. Building on the success of its milestone 20th anniversary season, the Harris welcomes innovative North American artists in 23 performances featuring two commissioned new works, a US Premiere, Chicago debuts, and world- renowned and emerging talent in music and dance that forwards the Theater’s artistic philosophy of fostering creative opportunities for conversation and collaboration while providing a state-of-the-art home for 30 local midsize arts organizations, promoting access to the
arts for Chicago residents of all ages, communities, and abilities, and connecting Chicago’s most gifted young musicians and dancers with the master artists appearing on the Harris Theater stage through masterclasses, artist conversations, and performance opportunities.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Can support a family of four attending a Harris Theater performance at no cost through our Access Tickets Program.
$500: Can support a local community group’s attendance at a Harris Theater engagement, including a
pre-show enrichment opportunity. A generous donation of $1,000 can support a day of mentorship for students with visiting artists and community partners.
Visit the Harris Theater donation page to pledge your gift.
Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance
We’re embracing a new chapter here at Garfield Park Conservatory & Gardens, a Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award winner. Exciting improvements to our 12-acre campus are nearly here, with renovations under way in the state of the art, accessible Children’s Garden nature playscape, expected to reopen in Fall 2025! Plus, a newly implemented non-Chicago resident admissions policy will help support the upkeep of the building and plants, and help us accommodate all guests who visit the Conservatory. This giving season, we’re asking donors to help us shape the future of Garfield Park Conservatory & Gardens as we embrace this exciting new chapter for this historic institution. With your support through a donation to our annual fund or purchase of a membership, we can continue to foster the next generation of nature champions, scale our free nature-based public programming and achieve our goal of becoming the most inclusive campus for nature education in the U.S.
Our mission is to change lives through the power of nature. Every donation to our annual fund or purchase of a GPCA Membership helps support nature access and education here on Chicago’s West Side. Your contribution will support the Urban Roots Teen Environmental Justice Program, the development and delivery of 16 hours of free family programming every week, and other nature education programs at the Conservatory & Gardens.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Can be split between a Dual-Level Membership (benefits for 2 individuals) and annual fund donation.
$500: Can get you a Fern Circle membership, with all individual-level membership perks plus recognition on our donor wall, first access to our annual honey harvested at the Conservatory, and a private tour.
$1,000: Can get you a Jensen Society level membership, our highest membership level.
Visit the Garfield Park Conservatory Alliance donation page to pledge your gift.
A Safe Haven Foundation
The single word “homelessness” can be misleading, often suggesting it affects only a specific group. In reality, it is a multifaceted issue affecting individuals and families regardless of gender, age, race, or ethnicity. Its causes are myriad, meaning there is no one solution. It requires a range of treatments, comprehensive support structures, and an invested team who cares about uplifting their community. A Safe Haven Foundation, a Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award winner, is just that — a dedicated and committed team, using on-the-ground experiences and evidence-based practices to support our most vulnerable population.
Our continuum of care supports individuals and families in crisis in the Greater Chicago Area through housing, case management, education, job training, workforce development, and clinical services. We understand that homelessness, justice involvement, and poverty are interconnected with substance use disorders and behavioral health challenges. Our programs work together to empower those in need as we strive to end homelessness in our community housing, support services, and career pathways. We prioritize the individual, knowing that every person has their own story and path to recovery.
In February 2025, A Safe Haven Foundation plans to open a Primary Care Clinic at our central location. We aim to enhance access, improve systems, and achieve better outcomes for Primary Care services at this site. We recognize the critical need for primary care among our client population, particularly for Medicaid members who are experiencing homelessness and substance use disorders. To address this need, we aim to establish a value-based care model specifically designed for these individuals. With support from the funding community, we can provide holistic, coordinated care that meets this vulnerable population’s complex medical, social, and behavioral health needs, utilizing our existing resources.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Will provide an adult experiencing homelessness with a bed, 3 healthy meals, and individualized case management services for one full day.
$500: Will provide 10 families experiencing homelessness who are residing in our transitional housing shelter a full week of nutritious and delicious meals and snacks.
$1000: Will provide 2 families with bedroom, kitchen, and living room furniture and Fresh Starter Kits that include linens, dishes, cleaning supplies, and other household products as they transition into permanent housing.
Visit A Safe Haven Foundation donation page to pledge your gift.
Alzheimer’s Association
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s and dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association works on a national and local level to provide care and support for all those affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The Association works to provide care and support for all those affected by Alzheimer’s and all other dementia. Our education programs for the general public, both online and in person, feature information on topics such as diagnosis, warning signs, communication, living with Alzheimer’s disease and caregiving. As the largest nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s research, the Association is committed to advancing vital research toward methods of treatment, prevention, and ultimately, a cure. The Association is the leading voice for Alzheimer’s disease advocacy, fighting for critical Alzheimer’s research and care initiatives at the state and federal levels.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100: Provides one CARE CONSULTANT to assist a caregiver in distress.
$500: Covers the costs associated with a ONE-HOUR COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM
$1000: Sponsors an EARLY-STAGE ADVISOR TO SPEAK AT A CONFERENCE and share their experiences and coping strategies
Visit the Alzheimer’s Association donation page to pledge your gift.
Kenilworth Union Church
Kenilworth Union Church is an ecumenical church community. The church gathers to worship in search of God’s guidance and inspiration, and is sent out to love and serve God and others. Independent of any
particular denomination, the church’s identity is formed by its devotion to God. The church actively supports outreach efforts; children, youth and family ministries; and caring ministries across all life’s struggles and uncertainties.
Following God’s commandment to love our neighbors, Kenilworth Union is committed to serving the greater community in meaningful ways. Through our Outreach program, we focus on supporting children and their education, emergency services, physical and mental health, or agencies that provide a range of services to a particular impoverished community.
Each year, Kenilworth Union makes small grants to over 30 not-for-profit benevolence agencies. In addition, our volunteers participate in various service programs, projects, or events at many of the supported agencies, all of which are selected during a formal annual process. Our Holiday Gift Fund helps supplement funding and provide needed support to selected Kenilworth
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100 provides Christmas gifts to two or more children who otherwise may not receive anything; $500 supports an entire family for their Christmas; $1,000 gives a family a full Christmas plus needed household items for the rest of the year.
Visit the Kenilworth Union Church donation page to pledge your gift.
Batavia Mothers’ Club Foundation
Batavia Mothers’ Club Foundation is run entirely by local moms volunteering their time to improve the lives of children in our community.
The mission of the Batavia Mothers’ Club Foundation is to improve the lives of local children. Our foundation is made up of members that volunteer their time at community events; organize our yearly coat and winter gear drive; and create fundraisers like our annual Pie Bake Off, Bunco, and our Fox Trot 5k/10k run. Last year we were able to distribute over $15,000 to local nonprofits and teachers that are
working to improve the lives of local kids.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100 would help us spread the word about our fundraisers by covering printing costs for posters and fliers.
$500 would mean we could make the holidays bright by supporting our local United Way Adopt a Family program by purchasing gifts for 3 kids.
$1,000 could help us supply diapers and baby necessities for our local Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Clothes Closet.
Visit the Batavia Mothers’ Club Foundation donation page to pledge your gift.
GO Campaign
We believe every child deserves the right to opportunity. Opportunity to education, to medical care, to shelter, to food and clean water, to enrichment — to a fair chance in life. Founded in 2006, GO Campaign improves the lives of vulnerable children around the world by partnering with Local Heroes to deliver local solutions.
Since 2006, GO Campaign has partnered with 201 Local Heroes to change the lives of over 418,000 children across 40 countries — from East LA to East Africa. We help our partners develop programs to provide children and young adults with basic human needs and income-generating activities.
GO Campaign identifies and strengthens high-impact, grassroots projects aimed at changing lives and transforming communities, one child at a time. When you support GO Campaign, you become a partner in that transformation. Our diverse projects and worldwide Local Heroes allow our supporters to connect the impact of their giving to issues and places most meaningful to them. From working to change the narrative around disabilities in Africa, to providing mental health counseling in South LA to providing education to young women in Afghanistan, we are providing opportunity that children otherwise wouldn’t have.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
It takes $2.5M annually to fully fund GO Campaign.
Currently that allows us to support approximately 50-60% of the Local Heroes who request support. This year alone, we’ve already had to say no to more than $500,000 in funding requests.
Our vision is to support 100% of eligible Local Heroes, matching the exponential growth in requests on behalf of vulnerable children struggling worldwide. We do not receive government funding. We ask that you join us so that no child is left behind.
The cost to save a life is a mere $32! So, with a donation of just $100, you can dramatically change three children’s lives.
Visit the GO Campaign donation page to pledge your gift.
New Moms
No one should parent alone. For more than 40 years, New Moms has partnered with young moms, 24
and younger, to help them build the confidence needed to achieve long-lasting success. We understand
how homelessness and poverty impacts young families. Through housing, paid job training, and family
support, our holistic approach provides support for young moms affected by systemic barriers. By fostering each moms’ unique talents, we blend behavioral research, effective strategies, and practical experience to create pathways for young families to unlock brighter futures. Join us in this life-changing work.
New Moms’ mission is to strengthen families by partnering with young moms as they progress toward
housing stability, economic mobility, and family well-being. New Moms Gala – Join us April 11, 2025 from 6-10 p.m. at the Old Post Office for our Spring Gala. Celebrate and support; New Moms’ progress over 40 years and our innovative vision for the future. Get ready for music, great food and drink, live and silent auction, and a paddle raise.; Golf Outing – Will you join us and tee up for bright futures? You won’t want to miss New Moms’ 2025 Golf Outing on Thursday, September 11, at the Harborside International Golf Center. Celebrate over four decades of New Moms and our mission to uplift young families.; Operation Santa – Join us in bringing holiday cheer to young families! From Oct 1- Dec 1 you can contribute gifts or volunteer during our Operation Santa Christmas Drive.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$125 provides a one month supply of diapers for a family.
$360 provides 1 week of Job Training program wages per mom.
$450 funds a baby shower for participants in our prenatal support group.
$1500 provides 1 month of Housing for a family with supportive coaching.
Visit the New Moms donation page to pledge your gift.
Ravinia Festival
Ravinia Festival, North America’s longest-running music festival, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to presenting diverse musical performances and enriching the community. Each summer, Ravinia hosts world-renowned artists, including Yo-Yo Ma, John Legend, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra in residence, offering a wide range of concerts for all audiences.
Beyond performances, Ravinia reaches over 20,000 people annually in Cook and Lake counties through
its education programs, providing accessible music learning opportunities for students and the
community. The festival is also home to the Steans Institute, a prestigious training ground where gifted
young musicians study and perform with master artists.
Set on a beautiful, 36-acre campus, Ravinia allows guests to enjoy picnics on the lawn or dine at its restaurants, creating a unique experience that combines world-class performances with the beauty and
relaxation of a natural setting, all in service of celebrating music and community.
Ravinia Festival is a renowned not-for-profit music festival, celebrated for presenting the world’s finest
musicians in its scenic open-air Pavilion and intimate recital spaces. Beyond performances, Ravinia is
dedicated to fostering a lifelong love of music. Through its Reach Teach Play programs, Ravinia provides
essential music education and resources to Lake and Cook County communities that lack access to music programs, impacting over 20,000 people each year. Additionally, the Steans Institute offers gifted young artists world-class mentorship and performance opportunities, helping them refine their craft and launch promising careers. Ravinia remains committed to providing access to music and inspiring diverse
audiences through inclusive engagement and educational programs. By ensuring that music remains
affordable and accessible, Ravinia invites families, students, and music lovers to experience the joy of live performances in its welcoming, family-friendly park setting.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
At Ravinia Festival, every donation plays a vital role in supporting our mission to make music accessible
to all. Contributions help us bring music education to students through Reach Teach Play, providing
music resources, workshops, and outreach initiatives that impact young musicians across the
community. Donations also deepen these efforts, supporting more extensive programming and access to instruments, classes, and live music experiences. Gifts also help sustain our efforts year-round,
supporting talented emerging artists through the Steans Institute, where young musicians can hone their craft and engage with world-class mentors. Every gift strengthens Ravinia’s commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive musical community.
Visit the Ravinia donation page to pledge your gift.
Radical Generosity Chicago
Radical Generosity Chicago, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, mobilizes communities to support Chicagoland individuals and families facing food and housing insecurity. With 68,000 people unsheltered in our city, RGC’s grassroots efforts, powered entirely by volunteers, help those in need bridge their food and housing gaps with energy, compassion and humanity. Volunteers, both adults and children, move
beyond witnessing hardship into action, sharing their warmth and resources with Chicago’s unhoused neighbors. Through RGC’s initiatives, volunteers learn firsthand, not just about homelessness, but empathy—building a future where kindness and community thrive, and move us one step closer to ensuring no one is left to face hunger and the elements alone. Please join us in creating change that has an enormous impact every single day.
Radical Generosity Chicago brings together people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to support Chicagoland’s housing- and food-insecure community through meaningful, hands-on volunteer events. In 2025, RGC plans to organize over 40 volunteer experiences to help provide needed food, clothing, toiletries, and school supplies for our partner organizations throughout Chicagoland. With flexible “any time” activities—like making fleece blankets, toiletry kits, birthday bags, and lunches—plus group
events for sorting donations, stocking pantries, and preparing meals, RGC offers a variety of ways to get involved. Since 2021, we’ve partnered with dozens of organizations across Chicago, including Frieda’s Place, Irving Park Food Pantry, Mission of Our Lady of Angels, and Connections for the Homeless, fostering trust and a shared dedication to helping those who are the most vulnerable. Please join us (via our signups on our website calendar) in building a compassionate, resilient community—where helping others is as fun as it is impactful!
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100 provides essential toiletries (soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, shampoo, etc.) to 10 housing-insecure/unhoused individuals for one month. Providing toiletries to unsheltered individuals offers several benefits that can positively impact their health, dignity, and overall quality of life!
$250 provides a “Ready for Chicago Winter” bundle (sleeping bag, coat, hat, mittens + scarf) for an unhoused person. This provides critical warmth and comfort during Chicago’s bone-chilling winter months!
$500 provides winter coats for 12 unhoused children. Providing coats to unhoused children offers several essential benefits, particularly in helping them stay warm, healthy, and safe during colder months!
$1,000 provides 100 dinners for an unhoused individual or one group dinner for 100 unhoused individuals. This includes nutritious hot meals that provide essential nourishment!
Visit the Radical Generosity Chicago donation page to pledge your gift.
Twist Out Cancer
Twist Out Cancer utilizes the creative arts to provide social and emotional support to individuals touched by Cancer. Since 2011 we have impacted over 260,000 people worldwide through our online and community wide programs.
In 2025, Twist Out Cancer will run 2 open Brushes with Cancer programs in Glencoe, Illinois and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Brushes with Cancer matches artists with individuals touched by cancer. Over a 6 month period the artists connect with the individuals touched by cancer (inspirations) and they create a work of art reflective of that person’s journey with cancer. The artwork is then exhibited and auctioned with proceeds going directly back into this transformative program. In addition to Brushes with Cancer we will host monthly free Twistshops (art therapy workshops) at Rush which are held in person on the first friday of the month. We also hold virtual programs with North Well Hospital and other hospitals around the country. Check out the Twist Out Cancer website to sign up for these programs.
On Saturday, March 14, 2025 we will have our annual Brushes with Cancer art exhibition and celebratory event at Writers Theater in Glencoe, Illinois. Brushes with Cancer matches artists with individuals touched by cancer to create works of art reflective of their journey with cancer. The art is auctioned and all funds raised go directly back into the Brushes with Cancer program. The event will feature 25 unique works of art all inspired by 25 individuals who have been touched by cancer.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$175: Your gift will help to cover the art supplies needed for a 3 hour TwistShop (art therapy workshop).
$250: Your gift will help to cover all costs associated with running a weekly virtual TwistShop ( art therapy workshop) provided by Jacqueline Carmody, LCPC, ATR, BC.
$500: Your gift will cover the cost of art supplies for a Brushes with Cancer Artist who is facing economic hardship.
$1000: Your gift will help to support the participation of 4 artists and inspirations in the Brushes with Cancer program.
See our Sponsor brochure to learn more about what each donation provides.
Visit the Twist Out Cancer donation page to pledge your gift.
City Year Chicago
City Year Chicago (CYC) is a youth development organization that recruits AmeriCorps Members (ACMs) to commit to a year of service in Chicagoland schools. Our 220 ACMs are working in 32 schools and serving over 14,000 students across Chicago in the 2024-2025 school year. ACMs partner with teachers to help students remain on track to graduate, focusing on the core indicators of of student
success: Attendance, Behavior, and Course Performance in English and Math. In the 23-24 school year, 59% of students tutored by ACMs met or exceeded one year of growth in English Language Arts and 54% met or exceeded one year of growth in mathematics. Additionally, 88% of students stayed on track in English Language Arts with a C or higher and 90% of students stayed on track in mathematics with a C or higher.
The mission of City Year Chicago (CYC) is to advance educational equity and empower under-resourced communities by providing learning environments that maximize student potential, while developing and deploying the next generation of civic-minded change agents.
The primary goal of CYC is to help students remain on track to graduate via the Whole School, Whole Child model, a research-based program focusing on the “ABC indicators” of student success: Attendance, Behavior, and Course Performance in English and math. Corps members provide 1:1 and small group support for students in academics, attendance, and social-emotional learning. ACMs also plan and implement incentive activities that provide positive reinforcement for students showing improvement. City Year teams plug into existing attendance, behavior, and after-school initiatives, and facilitate family engagement events. The secondary goal of CYC is to support our AmeriCorps members (18-24 years) so they a have a plan for college or career after their year of service.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100 – Provides supplies and educational materials for tutoring sessions, allowing AmeriCorps Members to deliver impactful, individualized support to students
$500 – Provides holistic wellness support to enhance our AmeriCorps Members well-being and mental health
$1,000 – Directly supports Learning and Development Days for our AmeriCorps Members
Visit the City Year Chicago donation page to pledge your gift.
Phalen Leadership Academies
Phalen Leadership Academies (PLA) is a nonprofit educational network that operates district, innovation, and public charter schools, focusing on transforming schools in underserved communities. Serving nearly 10,000 students across 20 schools, PLA offers personalized education, rigorous academic standards, and support services like free tutoring and job training. Since 2013, it has successfully improved multiple failing schools and aims to foster high academic achievement and leadership skills among students. PLA’s mission is centered around academic excellence, community partnership, and holistic support for scholars’ personal growth.
Phalen Leadership Academies’ mission is to ensure that each of our scholars meet high academic and social standards, and thrive as leaders at home, in their communities, and in the world. Our signature programs and key initiatives include Summer Advantage (a program that offers research-based academic instruction to help prevent summer learning loss), Reading Advantage ( a program that works to increase reading, writing, test taking, and study skills at their instructional level), Math Advantage (a program that provides additional support in the area of math to close the achievement gap), Skilled US (a free workforce development program that supports adults as they strive to learn more and earn more), Teaching Fellows (which ensures that 3-5 certified teachers are at each campus) and Principal in Residence (which prepares new and experienced school leaders to launch and lead Phalen Leadership
Academies network schools across the nation).
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$100 – Can provide essential school supplies like books, pencils, and notebooks. When a child has complete and full access to basic supplies, they are empowered to excel in their academic journey.
$500 – Enhance a classroom with access to updated technology, enabling scholars to access up to date tools and resources for modern learning and skill development.
$1000 – Funds a scholar’s access to critical educational programming known as Reading Advantage and Math Advantage, both of which offer personalized, one-on-one support to bridge academic gaps and boost overall achievement.
Visit the Phalen Leadership Academies donation page to pledge your gift.
Goodman Theatre
Goodman Theatre, Chicago’s oldest and largest not-for-profit theater, has won international renown for the quality of productions, the depth and diversity of artistic leadership, and the excellence of its many community and educational programs. Under the guidance of Artistic Director Susan V. Booth and Executive Director John Collins, the Goodman is committed to producing both classic and contemporary works, giving full voice to a wide range of artists and visions. Central to that mission is the Goodman Artistic Collective, a diverse group of outstanding theater artists whose distinctive visions have given the Goodman an artistic identity of uncommon richness and variety.
By dedicating itself to three guiding principles—quality, diversity and community—Goodman Theatre seeks to be the premier cultural organization in Chicago, providing productions and programs that make an essential contribution to the quality of life in our city. In the 2024/2025 Season, the Goodman will produce works including Chicago premieres, Broadway hits, and major revivals. View the full line-up on our website. In the Education and Engagement space, the Goodman will have in-person programming for the School Matinee Series, serving more than 3,000 CPS High School students and teachers; GeNarrations, sparking creativity in more than 350 adults aged 55+; and summer direct-service programs for Chicagoland teens.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$1,000 – provides support for young people in our PlayBuild and Musical Theatre summer intensives, where participants learn to build an ensemble, develop a story and bring it to the stage.
$500 – supports two playwrights through the New Stages Labs or new Stages Residencies as they develop a new play and present it to an audience.
$100 – sponsors one artist in GeNarrations, a workshop sparking dynamic storytelling in adults aged 55+.
Visit the Goodman Theatre donation page to pledge your gift.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is committed to preventing and alleviating human suffering across the country and around the world. It shelters, feeds, and provides comfort to individuals and families impacted by disasters, while supplying nearly 40% of the nation’s blood supply. Beyond disaster response and blood services, the Red Cross empowers communities by teaching critical skills such as CPR, first aid, and water safety, helping people save lives every day. Internationally, the Red Cross distributes humanitarian aid and offers vital support to veterans, active military members, and their families, providing both practical assistance and emotional care. This essential work is made possible by a dedicated network of volunteers and the generosity of the American public.
In 2024, the climate crisis mounted an overwhelming toll on people in communities around the U.S., who relied on the American Red Cross for relief and care as they faced the country’s second-highest number of billion-dollar disasters ever recorded. This year’s 24 major climate and weather events — each with losses exceeding $1 billion — are topped only by last year’s record-breaking 28. To help, hundreds of Red Cross volunteers from the Illinois Region have been part of teams responding nonstop to provide shelter, food and other assistance to tens of thousands of people reeling from this year’s hurricanes, storms, floods and wildfires — all while continuing to care for families in Illinois suffering from house
fires and other disasters.
What impact does a donation have at different levels?
$50 – provides a full day of food and shelter for 1 person This service includes providing breakfast, lunch and dinner, the costs to mobilize and distribute a cot, two blankets and a comfort kit as well as the costs to support the Red Cross workers providing this service.
$150 – provides a crib for an infant in a shelter The Red Cross shelter manager takes the necessary steps to make all residents comfortable in a shelter; this includes families with infants and children.
$250 – provides installation of 1 smoke alarm for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These alarms work in conjunction with audible alarms to alert individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to the dangers of a home fire using multiple sensory stimuli, such as flashing lights, low frequency audio alerts and shaking or vibrations.
Visit the American Red Cross donation page to pledge your gift.
