Better Makers: Women’s Business Development Center's 30th Anniversary Celebration

The Women’s Business Development Center celebrated its 30th anniversary Nov. 15 during WBDCelebrate at the Wintrust Bank Grand Banking Hall. Highlights from the evening included a performance by Black Ensemble Theater and award presentations to the following recipients: Von Technologies President Michelle Vondrasek — Innovative Business Award Creative Resources President Caren Schweitzer — WBE Award Charboy’s President Pamela […]

by Anna Carlson

Community Celebrations: Bernie’s Book Bank

2013 Philanthropy Awards winner Bernie’s Book Bank announced in July that it has donated 6 million books since 2009. The organization, which collects and redistributes books to at-risk children in the Chicago area, now reaches more than 200,000 kids every year. To learn more and find out how you can get involved, visit berniesbookbank.org. Bernie’s […]

by Anna Carlson

Better Makers: Chefs’ Playground Raises $300,000 for Academy for Global Citizenship

The Academy for Global Citizenship hosted 500 guests, 28 celebrity chefs and mixologists at Terzo Piano May 19 to raise funds and to help the school celebrate the reveal of conceptual renderings from Studio Gang Architects. The event raised more than $300,000 for the Academy for Global Citizenship and its sustainable future campus project. Participating chefs included Tony […]

by Heather Leszczewicz

Go Ahead, Wear White After Labor Day: Light the Night White Party

Local fundraising and grant-making nonprofit DIFFA/Chicago (The Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) Auxiliary Board hosted their premiere Light the Night White Party on Sept. 9 at Sterling Bay in Chicago to applaud advancements in the fight against HIV/AIDS and to raise funds and awareness. Dressed to impress in their swankiest white garb, 163 design and […]

by Wendy Altschuler

2014 Philanthropy Awards

We founded Make It Better to connect and help our audience amplify their philanthropic efforts. We found this leads to more connections and ideas, a heightened feeling of community, more money raised by good people, and better business for everyone. It’s a virtuous circle. To amplify this feeling of good will, we established our annual Philanthropy […]

by MIBS

Expert Advice from Money Gurus

When you’re grappling with a tough money-management decision, wouldn’t it be nice if you could bend the ear of the head of a major bank, investment advisor or financial television personality? We picked the brains of eight local and national stars from the finance world about how to make the most of your philanthropic gifts, what they […]

by Meghan Streit

Expert Advice from Money Gurus: Renée Cooper

Renée Cooper is a financial consultant at Wintrust Wealth Management. Here’s her best advice to take control of your finances:  What can I do today in 30 minutes or less to take better control of my finances? You always need to pay yourself first, whatever money you make; before you spend it on anything else […]

by Meghan Streit

2013 Philanthropy Awards: Bernie's Book Bank

Most recently updated: December 2020 In 2005, golf instructor Brian Floriani decided it was time to make a career change. Drawn to the idea of becoming an elementary school teacher, he took a job as a reading paraprofessional. He soon realized there was a need to get books into the hands of children who did […]

by Anna Carlson