The Philanthropy Awards are the Make It Better Foundation’s keystone program — a national platform designed to identify, elevate, and amplify high-impact nonprofits.
Each year, organizations are recognized across multiple levels based on their impact, innovation, and potential to scale.
Although we love all of our winners, these NFPs stand out as models for others to emulate, too.
Project Music — 2012 winner
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association — 2012 winner
Innovations for Learning — 2012 winner
Posse Foundation — 2013 winner
Trees That Feed Foundation — 2014 and 2026 winner
Gigi’s Playhouse — 2015 winner
Metropolitan Peace Initiatives — 2023 winner
2026 Winners
Project Zero
Conservation Nation
George Mark Children’s House
The Joffrey Ballet
Changent
Greater Good Science Center
Ukraine Freedom Company
Chicago Philharmonic Orchestra
Rush Road Home
Susan B. Noyes, founder of the Make It Better Foundation, which publishes Better magazine, is a mom, writer, strategist, philanthropist, and civic activist. She has served on numerous boards, including the American Red Cross, Chicago Public Education Fund, Harvard Graduate School of Education, Joffrey Ballet, Poetry Foundation, Rush Neurobehavioral Center for Children, New Trier High School District, and her beloved Kenilworth Union Church. Her work is driven by her commitment to helping people live, love, work, play, and give with greater purpose and joy.
