Angel Investors Build Community Connections at Red Cross Community Adaptation Program Tour

Trusted community connections and measurable social impact were on display during a recent American Red Cross Community Adaptation Program (CAP) tour in Monterey County, California, where seven- and eight-figure donations demonstrated how strategic philanthropic investment can strengthen communities long before disasters occur. Enabled by donors who operate as angel investors — also described as venture […]

by Susan B. Noyes

Rising Need, Declining Funding: Nonprofit Leaders Warn of Growing Strain on U.S. Social Safety Net

As demand for basic assistance rises and public funding becomes less predictable, nonprofits providing essential services are filling the gaps. That was the clear message from leaders of four of Chicago’s largest social-service organizations at a panel hosted by Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Their conversation reflected a broader reality playing out across […]

by Elizabeth Owens-Schiele

10 Holiday Movies to Help You Navigate the Season’s Rough Patches

Isn’t every holiday movie a Greater Good movie? That is to say—aren’t they all movies that highlight acts of generosity, empathy, compassion, reconciliation, or gratitude?  Alas, no. Or at least, not all of them are very insightful about human goodness or adept at conveying how we become better. We’re sure most readers are familiar with the hits, […]

by Jill Suttie, Jeremy Adam Smith, Steven Barnes, and Shanna B. Tiayon

The 2025 Better Guide to Giving

As the holidays get underway, many of us look for ways to make someone else’s season brighter. And there’s science behind why that makes us feel so good. Research shows that acts of generosity — from gift giving to financial support — increase happiness more than spending on ourselves.  At Better, we’re dedicated to simplifying […]

by Better

You Said It — Share Your Passion and Help a Nonprofit Earn Significant Grants

Own Your Expertise Online At Better Magazine, the Make It Better Foundation’s storytelling hub, we partner with nonprofits to tell nationally relevant, evergreen stories that spark generosity and inspire change. A You Said It submission is the entry point into Better Magazine and the Make It Better Foundation’s broader storytelling ecosystem. Through this initiative, nonprofit leaders, advocates, and […]

by Susan B. Noyes

31 Best Things to Do in Chicago and the Suburbs in December 2025

A fresh blanket of snow won’t keep Chicagoans home. December is when the city shines brightest, with seasonal traditions like the Joffrey Ballet’s The Nutcracker and Goodman Theatre’s A Christmas Carol anchoring the holiday calendar alongside new experiences, expanded light installations, and more. All across the city and suburbs, the festive season is here. Let […]

by Margaret Smith

Giving Tuesday 2025: Where to Donate

The holiday season invites us to turn gratitude into meaningful social impact. Giving Tuesday, observed this year on Dec. 2, reflects the growing interest in philanthropy that fuels real outcomes — from venture philanthropy models to impact investing — all aimed at strengthening communities and supporting organizations doing essential work. Established in 2012 by New […]

by Better staff

5 Ways Beatlemania Lives On in 2025: Paul McCartney on Tour, Rare Exhibitions, Restored Beatles Anthology and More

More than 60 years after The Beatles changed pop culture forever, their influence continues to unfold across stages, galleries, and screens. From Paul McCartney’s Got Back Tour to a newly revealed archive of his 1963–64 photography, an expanded edition of The Beatles Anthology, new 2026 tour dates for Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band, and more, […]

by Brooke McDonald