Looking to support a special cause this month or just want to be on the scene hobnobbing with some of Chicago’s finest power players? Spring/Summer charity/gala season is now underway and with it comes a stacked May social calendar. There will be events taking place on the same date; may the odds forever be in all their favor as the funds raised at these respective events go towards key philanthropic initiatives. We selected a list of can’t miss charity events taking place in May to add to your social calendar. Keep reading for our selections. Some of these events may be sold out by publishing time. Have fun, party safe and know that you can certainly call a cab, lyft, uber or car service to get you home or to your next destination safe and sound without a DUI or loss of life.
ChiArts 15th Anniversary Benefit: BOLD VISIONS
LOCATION: Morgan MFG | 401 N. Morgan Street
DATE | TIME: Thursday May 1 | 5:30pm-10:00pm
ATTIRE: Cocktail Attire
CO-CHAIRS: Arnett Faulkner, Chardai Johnson
Special Guest Host Val Warner. The ChiArts Foundation annual spring benefit event will be especially meaningful as we celebrate the 15th anniversary of The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) and its donor-funded arts conservatories in Music, Theatre, Dance, Creative Writing, and Visual Arts. Over 350 supporters, arts partners, and civic leaders will gather to honor ChiArts’ remarkable legacy and vibrant future, supporting hundreds of current scholar-artists and over 1,600 alumni worldwide. Guided by Co-Chairs Arnett Faulkner and Chardai Johnson and hosted by Emmy Award-Winning host Val Warner, guests will enjoy captivating performances and exhibitions by ChiArts’ scholar-artists across all five conservatories, along with an immersive cocktail and dining experience where the arts take center stage. LEARN MORE.
Teach For America 25th Anniversary Gala
LOCATION: Navy Pier Aon Grand Ballroom | 401 N. Morgan Street
DATE | TIME: Thursday May 1 | 6:00pm-10:00pm
ATTIRE: Cocktail Attire
CO-CHAIRS: N/A
The 25th Anniversary Gala will be a gathering of Teach For America Greater Chicago–Northwest Indiana’s community in celebration of transformative progress in education, united by a shared mission to make a difference. We hope you will join us to foster meaningful connections and represent TFA’s legacy to create an evening that embodies the past, present, and promise of the next 25 years. Mike and Lindy Keiser have issued a $1 million challenge grant, matching all new, increased, and lapsed donations made now through May 9, 2025, including gifts made in honor of our Gala. Your contribution will go twice as far in advancing educational excellence for every child. LEARN MORE.
Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Butterfly Ball 2025
LOCATION: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum | 2430 North Cannon Drive Chicago 60614
DATE | TIME: Friday May 2 | 6:00pm-
ATTIRE: Colorful cocktail
CO-CHAIRS: N/A
The Butterfly Ball is the premier fundraising event for the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences. This annual celebration fuels every aspect of the museum’s mission—from dynamic exhibits and educational programs to groundbreaking conservation research and community outreach. Through the support of this event, the museum continues to inspire a positive relationship between people and nature, helping to grow connection to the world of nature and science. LEARN MORE.
Lincoln Park Zoo Auxiliary Board Zoo-ologie 2025
LOCATION: Café Brauer at Lincoln Park Zoo | 2021 N. Stockton Drive
ATTIRE: N/A
DATE | TIME: Friday, May 2 | 5:30p.m.-10p.m
CO-CHAIRS: N/A
Party with the Auxiliary Board and support Lincoln Park Zoo! Want to help your favorite animals and have an unforgettable night? Join the Auxiliary Board of Lincoln Park Zoo for the 13th anniversary of its signature cocktail party, Zoo-ologie! Tickets to the event include an open bar, bites from Chicago’s best restaurants, dancing, and a raffle—all inside the beautiful historic landmark, Café Brauer.
Funds raised from Zoo-ologie will help keep the zoo free and open to all 365 days a year. Your philanthropy also enables best-in-class animal care and welfare practices, global conservation initiatives, and community engagement programs. LEARN MORE.
National Museum of Mexican Art Gala de Arte: Orgullo Mexicano
LOCATION: Hyatt Regency Chicago | 151 E Wacker Dr, Chicago 60601
DATE | TIME: Friday May 2 | 6:00 – 11:00 pm
EVENT CHAIRS: Jessica Ferrari and Sarah Glavin
The National Museum of Mexican Art’s Board of Trustees invites you to support this year’s Gala de Arte. All event proceeds will directly benefit the Museum’s mission: To stimulate knowledge and appreciation of Mexican art and culture from both sides of the border through a significant permanent collection of Mexican art, rich visual and performing arts programs, high-quality arts education programs and resources, and professional development of Mexican artists. LEARN MORE.
High Jump A Spring of Opportunity 35th Anniversary Benefit
LOCATION: Four Seasons Hotel Chicago | 120 East Delaware Place, Chicago 60611
DATE | TIME: Friday May 2 | 6:00pm
ATTIRE: N/A
CHAIRS: Jenny Bekkerman, Jymme Chaouki, Eleni Griesemer, Christina Greviskes, Kelley Kaleta, Irene Parisi
Join us to empower Chicago middle schoolers with the transformative power of a High Jump education which profoundly impacts the lives of each and every one of our students, their families, their communities, and our city today and for years to come. For 35 years, High Jump has reshaped the educational landscape of Chicago, providing pathways of opportunity for nearly 3,000 scholars to confidently actualize their potential as learners and as leaders who go on to thrive in high school, college, and beyond. LEARN MORE.
The 2025 Newberry Library Award Celebration
LOCATION: The Drake Hotel Chicago | 140 East Walton Place Chicago
DATE | TIME: Friday May 2 | 5:00pm-
ATTIRE: N/A
The Newberry Honors Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Join the Newberry in honoring Henry Louis Gates, Jr. for his outstanding contributions to the humanities. The Newberry Library Award is presented annually to recognize achievement in the humanities in the tradition of the Newberry, which has cultivated the life of the mind since its founding in 1887. Past recipients include filmmaker Ken Burns; Ira Glass and This American Life; Lonnie G. Bunch III, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution; and Carla Hayden, 14th Librarian of Congress, among others. LEARN MORE.
The Women’s Board of Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital BLOOM Spring Benefit
LOCATION: Elawa Farm | 140 Middlefork Drive Lake Forest 60045
DATE | TIME:Saturday May 3
ATTIRE: N/A
CO-CHAIRS: N/A
Enjoy an evening of fine dining, engaging entertainment and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in our communities. LEARN MORE.
WTTW/WFMT CELEBRATION 2025
LOCATION: Lyric Opera of Chicago | 20 North Wacker Drive
ATTIRE: Cocktail
DATE | TIME: Wednesday, May 7 | 5:30pm
CO-CHAIRS: Renée and Lester Crown
In celebration of the mission of WTTW | WFMT, Event Chairs Renée and Lester Crown and the Board of Trustees invite you to an inspirational evening marking the 70th anniversary of WTTW. The WTTW | WFMT Renée Crown Leadership Award is presented to The Walsh Family in recognition of their civic leadership in Chicago and beyond and longtime partnership with WTTW and WFMT. Their philanthropic and community involvement and that of The Walsh Foundation have had a significant impact on our region. LEARN MORE.
A Better Chicago Wine Auction Grape + Grain 2025
LOCATION: Theater on the Lake | 2401 North DuSable Lake Shore Drive Chicago
ATTIRE: Cocktail
DATE | TIME: Thursday May 8 | 5:30pm
CO-CHAIRS: N/A
Join us for an extraordinary evening featuring dinner and an exciting auction with specially curated fine wines and spirits. Net proceeds from the event will go towards advancing A Better Chicago’s mission to invest in bold, innovative opportunities for Chicago’s youth. We will also be celebrating A Better Chicago’s 15th Anniversary! LEARN MORE.
Lou and Jean Malnati Brain Tumor Institute Minds Matter Benefit Dinner
LOCATION: The Ritz-Carlton Chicago | 160 East Pearson Street Chicago 60601
ATTIRE: Black tie optional
DATE | TIME: Friday, May 9 | 5:30pm
CO-CHAIRS: N/A
We hope you’ll join us for this special event in support of our relentless pursuit of transformative research and better medicine to treat brain and spine tumors. Support of the Minds Matter Benefit is crucial to fueling innovations within the Malnati Brain Tumor Institute (MBTI) to aid in improving care for brain tumor patients everywhere. LEARN MORE.
Alzheimer’s Association 2025 Rita Hayworth Gala
LOCATION: The Old Post Office | 433 W. Van Buren Street 60607
ATTIRE: Cocktail
DATE | TIME: Saturday, May 10 | 6:30p.m.
CO-CHAIRS: Rozmin & Ebrahim Valliani
Join us to honor the legacy of Rita Hayworth, celebrate the strides made by the Alzheimer’s Association and anticipate a future filled with hope and progress. Princess Yasmin Aga Khan Honorary Vice Chair, Alzheimer’s Association. LEARN MORE.
Steppenwolf Gala 2025
LOCATION: Steppenwolf Theatre | 1650 N. Halsted Street
ATTIRE: Formidably fabulous. Vibes are electric.
DATE | TIME: Saturday May 10 | 5:30pm
CO-CHAIRS: Chanel W. Coney, Caroline and Keating Crown
Steppenwolf’s Ensemble and Board of Trustees invite you to our 2025 Gala – an unforgettable night kicking off the theater’s 50th anniversary celebration! Join Steppenwolf’s famed artists alongside civic and business leaders at our stunning expanded campus for cocktails, dancing and a one-night-only performance honoring the theatre’s legacy. Keep the celebration going with a live auction that features once-in-a-lifetime experiences with our artists and an after-hours lounge. Steppenwolf’s Gala generates vital funding to provide an artistic home for our Ensemble, bring bold and innovative theatrical experiences to the stage, and create educational programs that reach thousands of teens throughout the Chicago region. LEARN MORE.
The Woman’s Board Rush Medical Center 30th Annual Spring Luncheon
LOCATION: Four Seasons Hotel Chicago | 120 E Delaware Pl
ATTIRE: Chic
DATE | TIME: Monday, May 12 | 11:00 am
CO-CHAIRS: N/A
Please join us for our 30th Annual Spring Luncheon featuring Bestselling Novelist and Essayist Anne Lamott! Funds raised will support The Woman’s Board Endowed Fund for Research and Clinical Trials at Rush. LEARN MORE.
Service Club of Chicago Spring Hat Luncheon – Styles in Bloom
LOCATION: Ritz Carlton Chicago | 160 E. Pearson Street
DATE | TIME: Tuesday May 13 | 11am-2pm
CO-CHAIRS: Paula Borg, Sherry Lea Holson, Kathleen Haines-Finley
The Service Club of Chicago presents The Spring Hat Luncheon. Please join Co-Chairs Paula Borg, Kathleen Haines-Finley, and Sherry Lea Holson for a fantastic fashion presentation of “Styles in Bloom” showcasing exquisite Millinery and Fashions. The event will be held at The Ritz Carlton Chicago and the afternoon will include an Elegant Champagne Greeting Hour and Luncheon with Exciting Auction Items and Fabulous Raffle Prizes. We value your support helping others for what is definitely “THE” Hat Luncheon of Chicago. LEARN MORE.
Big Shoulders Fund 2025 Humanitarian Award Dinner
LOCATION: Marriott Marquis Chicago | 2121 S. Prairie Ave, Chicago 60616
ATTIRE: Cocktail.
DATE | TIME: Thursday, May 15 | 6:00 pm
CO-CHAIRS: N/A
Big Shoulders Fund will host its biennial Joseph Cardinal Bernardin Humanitarian Award Dinner will honor two extraordinary champions of our mission, Liz and Kent Dauten. Their philanthropy is known for being both transformative and daring, truly “making no small plans,” just like Daniel Burnham, the architect of our fine city. This approach, both strategic and bold, has led to an unwavering commitment to empowering students at Big Shoulders Fund schools and advancing other philanthropic initiatives to make the world a better place for all. Connected by love for the communities we serve and a commitment to transform lives, Big Shoulders Fund is making no small plans, like the Dautens, for our next 40 years. We hope you will join us for this one-of-a-kind celebration and further our mission to make a difference in the lives of the nearly 25,000 students we serve. LEARN MORE
Make-A-Wish® Illinois 2025 Wish Ball
LOCATION: Navy Pier | 900 E. Grand Avenue Chicago 60611
ATTIRE: Black Tie
DATE | TIME: Saturday, May 17 | 6:00 pm
CO-CHAIRS: Janis Douglas, Kristin Komar, Simon Landon
Wish Ball, an exciting evening that brings WishMakers together in support of Illinois children with critical illnesses, will feature performance by comedian Dana Carvey. This inspirational and entertaining black-tie event supports the organization’s mission to grant wishes.Guests will also hear a heartfelt testimonial on the power of a wish from a wish parent. The evening includes live and silent auctions, live music and dancing. Like a thousand stars, the support of each guest is a shimmer. Together we can shine brightly, creating a constellation of hope for wish kids across Illinois. LEARN MORE.
Goodman Theatre Gala 2025 | Centennial Celebration
LOCATION: Fairmont Chicago | 900 E. Grand Avenue Chicago 60611
ATTIRE: Black Tie
DATE | TIME: Saturday, May 17 | 6:00 pm
CO-CHAIRS: Jill Javors, Swati Mehta, Jackie Robinson
Musical Performance by Tony and Grammy Award-winning performer Leslie Odom, Jr. who will headline the Goodman Theatre Centennial Gala, performing a set of favorites from his wide-ranging and critically acclaimed stage and recording career. Celebrating 100 years, the black-tie event begins with a cocktail reception, followed by the performance and an elegant three-course dinner, and concludes with dancing to the sounds of The Gentlemen of Leisure. Lester N. Coney and David Fox, Jr. are Gala Trustee Co-Chairs; the Benefits Events Leadership Chair is Joan E. Clifford, Board of Trustees Past Chair and Life Trustee. Goodman Theatre is grateful for the support of the Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust. Proceeds from the Gala benefit Goodman Theatre’s Education and Engagement programs. LEARN MORE.
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Spark! 2025
LOCATION: Rockwell on the River | 3057 North Rockwell Street 60618
ATTIRE: Black Tie
DATE | TIME: Thursday, May 22, | 6:00pm 10:30pm
CO-CHAIRS: Lori & M. Jude Reyes, Shirley & Pat Ryan
Mingle with friends, old and new, and connect with likeminded visionaries who are committed to pushing boundaries in integrated rehabilitation science and medicine. Join us and fellow business, civic and community leaders for a special celebration and an exclusive opportunity to:
-Learn how promising discoveries are enabling us to reimagine rehabilitation across the ability spectrum.
-Understand how we are revolutionizing recovery research with novel, data-driven insights.
-Hear how Accelerate Ability, our fundraising campaign, is propelling these achievements and our vision to be the global source of science-driven breakthroughs in Human Ability.. LEARN MORE.
BGCC’s Woman’s Board 76th Annual Summer Ball
LOCATION: The Dalcy | 302 N. Green Street Chicago
ATTIRE: Black Tie
DATE | TIME: Friday, May 30 | 6:00 pm
CO-CHAIRS: Kate Melman and Kelly Rosen Lagrange
Founded in 1902, Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) is one of the oldest youth development organizations in Chicago. Its mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need them the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. With more than 20 locations throughout Chicago, we serve nearly 20,000 young people ages 5 to 20+ every year. BGCC works to equip members with the emotional, educational, physical, and cultural resources that allow them to enjoy their childhood and thrive in adulthood. LEARN MORE.
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