Since its inception in 2006, One Million Degrees has served as the only organization in Illinois that empowers low-income, highly motivated college students to succeed in school, work and life. CEO Paige Ponder leads a staff of 23 that works to help community college students — who make up more that 60 percent of all […]
For five years, our Philanthropy Awards have recognized 31 outstanding nonprofits for their exceptional work throughout our community. This year, we will recognize excellence in eight award categories: Arts Education Empowerment Environment Health & Wellness Human Services Social Justice Veteran Care Our illustrious group of judges will select winners from the applications submitted online. Winners […]
Celebrating our 4th Annual Philanthropy Awards means there have now been 31 nonprofit organizations, including this year’s six winners, getting the recognition they deserve for their impactful — and inspiring — work. Each winning organization is showcased through professionally made videos and coverage across Make It Better platforms. Winners also receive networking opportunities and marketing […]
Most recently updated: December 2020 Fresh Start Caring for Kids Foundation is devoted to making a difference in the lives of children with physical deformities. History The Foundation provides no-cost medical services to children ages 1 through 17 through surgery weekends and follow-up medical care. A majority of the surgery hours and follow-up care are donated […]
Walking into GiGi’s Playhouse you are immediately met with a wave of smiles, giggles and most of all, an exuberant energy. Such a spirited atmosphere, however, stands in stark contrast to the sterile room Nancy Gianni first attended following her daughter’s Down syndrome diagnosis. “There were great support groups but they always took place in […]
Most recently updated: December 2020 It all starts with a knock on the door and brief question, “Do you want to make art today?” At Snow City Arts (SCA), teaching artists aim to educate and inspire children and youth in hospitals through one-on-one instruction in the visual arts, creative writing, music and film making. To the […]
The Academy for Global Citizenship is a jewel nestled amid urban blight. A nonprofit Chicago public charter school, the Academy for Global Citizenship is making waves in elementary education, working to create a class of scholars that care about their community as much as their grades. Founded in 2008 by Sarah Elizabeth Ippel, a Cambridge graduate and […]
Most recently updated: December 2020 Nicknamed Chiberia for its extreme cold during the winter, Chicago can be a hard place to live, especially for the city’s low-income elderly. With little money to allocate for home maintenance and upkeep, many low-income seniors have a tough time enduring. That’s where Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly […]
Founded more than 30 years ago, the James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy (once the Evanston Community Defender) works to provide low-income Evanston youth and their families with integrated legal and social work services. The school-to-prison pipeline is the biggest worry of those who work at the Center for Youth Advocacy, 4th Annual Philanthropy Awards […]
On Nov. 16, Make It Better staffers surprised six nonprofits to tell them that they won the 2015 Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Awards. Each year, the Make It Better Philanthropy Awards honor outstanding nonprofits in and around Chicago. The grand prize for each nonprofit is a professionally produced, TV-quality video about their organization, plus significant […]
