The 18 Biggest Annual Charity Galas
Charity may begin at home, but it doesn’t have to stay there. Galas for good causes nationwide can give you an even better reason to pack your bags than wanderlust.
Marathoner from Wilmette Raises $21,000 for Special Olympics as Tribute to Step-Sister Kate Hilbrant
Tommy Lyman cherished the unique bond he shared with his step-sister Kate Hilbrant — a bond that did not end when she died in January. Lyman continued honoring their connection on April 18, when he competed in the Boston Marathon. “Kate was such a big sports person and all she wanted to do specifically when […]
Better Makers: The People’s Music School Raises $500K to Give Underserved Kids Tuition-Free Musical Instruction
While it’s wonderful for anyone to learn to play a musical instrument, a recent study found that kids who learn to play music reap serious academic benefits and get big boosts in skill-building. Perhaps musical instruction taps our brains in ways we don’t yet fully know or understand, but the professional music instructors at The […]
How to Fundraise in a Pandemic: Wins, Losses and Lessons Learned
For more than 60 years, the annual gala of the Lyric Opera was a highlight of the fall social season, attracting wealthy patrons decked out in tuxes and ball gowns. But in 2020, a global pandemic brought all the glitz to a screeching halt — taking some charitable contributions right along with it. Without galas, […]
How to Fundraise in a Pandemic: Wins, Losses and Lessons Learned
For more than 60 years, the annual gala of the Lyric Opera was a highlight of the fall social season, attracting wealthy patrons decked out in tuxes and ball gowns. But in 2020, a global pandemic brought all the glitz to a screeching halt — taking some charitable contributions right along with it. Without galas, […]
Better Makers: Golf Tournament to Benefit Midwest CareCenter
More than 50 golfers participated in the 13th Annual Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit Midwest CareCenter on August 17 at the Glen View Club in Golf, Ill. The event raised $85,000 to support Midwest CareCenter, which has now joined with JourneyCare and Horizon Hospice & Palliative Care to form a new agency that will reach […]
Better Makers: Turning Point Behavioral Health Care Center Raises $96,000
Turning Point Behavioral Health Care Center celebrated their annual benefit with 200 guests at the Evanston Golf Club in Skokie on June 20, raising more than $96,000 for the non-profit organization. The benefit was titled Cultivating Creativity and Innovation, and the night honored Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin of Evanston; architect Joseph J. Behles, principal of Behles+Behles […]
Want to Change the World? What One Philanthropy Expert Says is the Key
Debra Mesch, MBA, PhD, is on a mission to help more women own their innate inclinations to be outstanding philanthropists and to educate the world about the transformational change this can create. As Director of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University’s Lilly School of Philanthropy, she’s the world’s leading expert on the topic, too. […]
Illinois Holocaust Museum, Camp Kesem, Y.O.U., UCCRFAB, The Lyric Fundraisers Among Chicago's Top Fundraisers
The Better Makers section of our print magazine features photos of guests and honorees from some of Chicago’s top fundraisers. We highlight these events in order to shed light on all of the hard work the people of Chicago and the North Shore are doing to raise awareness around important causes and make a difference […]
Wanted: More Virtuous Circles To Strengthen Local Communities
Supporting our local schools and businesses was so much easier before the Internet upended traditional retail and communication practices. Back in the day, shopping local epitomized convenience and community. Social networking meant visiting in person or volunteering. We didn’t average 8.2 hours per day on phones and in front of screens. One strong newspaper […]
