For more than 33 years, the Chicago Auto Show’s First Look for Charity has raised over $65 million to support local charities. As one of Chicago’s largest single-day charitable events, First Look has become an important source of support for many local nonprofit organizations. This year, proceeds will benefit 18 local charities, each making a meaningful impact in the communities they serve.
Benefiting Charities
100 Club of Illinois
Proudly Serving First Responders and Their Families Since 1966.
For nearly six decades, the 100 Club of Illinois has stood alongside our state’s first responder community. We provide critical resources, financial assistance, training opportunities, and ongoing support to families of fallen heroes and to active-duty first responders across Illinois.
The 100 Club proudly supports all sworn federal, state, county, and local first responders serving in Illinois. From police and fire departments to public safety agencies in all 102 counties, we honor the brave men and women who risk their lives each day to keep our homes, workplaces, and communities safe.
ALS United Greater Chicago
ALS United Greater Chicago is proud to serve the ALS communities in Illinois. Our mission is to unite the ALS community in our collaborative approach to foster bold research initiatives, advance advocacy efforts, and provide comprehensive care and support to individuals and families affected by ALS. ALS United provides premier programs for our ALS community, and there is no cost to individuals living with ALS and their families for any of the services we provide, which include home visits, support groups, equipment lending, and more. We financially support six local ALS Multidisciplinary Clinics, tirelessly advocate for our patients, and fund cutting-edge research around the globe to find treatments and a cure for ALS.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
In the 2024-2025 U.S.News & World Report rankings of the best children’s hospitals, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago continues to be the top pediatric hospital in Illinois and the only hospital ranked in all 11 specialties. Lurie Children’s provides superior pediatric care in a state-of-the-art hospital that offers the latest benefits and innovations in medical technology, family-friendly design and research through the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute. The main hospital is located in downtown Chicago on the campus of its academic partner, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Lurie Children’s has a network of more than 20 outpatient and primary care locations and 10 partner hospitals, providing top pediatric care across the greater Chicago area. As a nonprofit hospital, Lurie Children’s relied on philanthropic support to care for more than 256,000 children last year. Learn more at luriechildrens.org.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago (BGCC) is the city’s largest and longest-serving organization dedicated to providing safe spaces for Chicago’s kids and teens. Since 1902, it has provided a safe haven for children and teens after school and during the summer. BGCC’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. Serving thousands of young people each year at Club locations throughout Chicago, BGCC provides children and teens with the tools they need to become well-rounded, successful adults
Cal’s Angels Pediatric Cancer Foundation
Cal’s Angels is a 501(c)(3) pediatric cancer foundation established in 2007 in memory of Cal Sutter, a 12-year-old who lost his battle with leukemia in 2006. Cal’s kindness and generosity inspired the start of Cal’s Angels with a mission of granting wishes, raising awareness, and funding research to help kids fighting cancer. Because we have lived the battle with pediatric cancer, we understand what these families are going through. The help that we provide these families through our programs is a great resource when they need it the most. Until we hear the words “There is A Cure for Cancer” we will continue to fight on behalf of these young warriors and their families. Together we CAN make a difference! To learn more, please visit calsangels.org.
Franciscan Community Benefit Services
Franciscan Community Benefit Services includes both St. Jude House and the Madonna Foundation. St. Jude House is a 40-bed shelter that offers a safe and supportive environment for survivors of domestic violence and their dependent children. It provides free, comprehensive services to help individuals heal from trauma, become self-sufficient and break the cycle of abuse. The Madonna Foundation supports at-risk and underserved teen girls by offering partial scholarships and strong college readiness programs. These services are provided to Madonna Scholars attending all-girls Catholic partner high schools throughout the Chicagoland area.
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is a global nonprofit housing organization working throughout Chicagoland, across the United States and in 70 countries around the world. Habitat’s vision is of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. We work toward our vision by building strength, stability and self-reliance in partnership with families in need of decent and affordable housing. Habitat homeowners help build their own homes alongside volunteers and pay an affordable mortgage. Habitat provides families and communities with a foundation for a strong future.
Jesse White Tumbling Team
The Jesse White Tumblers were created in 1959 to provide a positive alternative for inner-city kids. Team members must stay away from gangs, drug, alcohol, stay in school, and maintain a minimum “C” average. The team consists of male and female participants as young as 6 years old.
The team, with 9 units, gives hundreds of performances each year at major sporting events and community, business, and charity functions. The Jesse White Tumblers attract national and international attention and have performed throughout the United States, Canada, Hong Kong, Bermuda, Belize, China, Israel, Tokyo, Japan, and Zagreb, Croatia. The team has also been featured in commercials, national television shows, and motion pictures.
Because the organization requires its student-athletes to maintain at least a “C” average, team members and trainees who fall below are required to attend the Jesse White Tutoring Program or show proof that they are enrolled in another tutoring program.
Lydia Home & Safe Families for Children
For more than 100 years, Lydia Home has provided compassion and care to vulnerable children. Through residential foster care and foster care placements, Lydia brings hope, healing and home to children in need. Safe Families for Children continues this tradition by surrounding families in crisis with caring, compassionate community to keep kids safe and families intact. Safe Families creates extended family-like supports for desperate families through a community of devoted volunteers.
Misericordia
Misericordia Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for Misericordia Home residents. Its mission is to provide a continuum of care and support for children and adults of all faiths and cultures who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Misericordia provides the highest quality of care designed to meet each person’s changing needs and maximize independence, self-determination, interpersonal relationships, and engagement in the community.
Sertoma Star Services
Sertoma Star Services was established through a merger of New Star and Sertoma Centre, two agencies with rich histories of providing state-of-the-art services and programs for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and those living with mental illness. The organizations have provided critical vocational, educational, therapeutic, and residential programs and services to individuals in and around the Chicagoland area and northwest Indiana for a collective 125-plus years. Together as Sertoma Star Services, the commitment to delivering comprehensive services, choices, and opportunities to those we support in an environment that promotes self-advocacy and personal success remains constant and impactful.
Special Olympics Illinois
Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit sports organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports to a community of more than 55,000 traditional athletes, Young Athletes, Unified partners, coaches, volunteers, and more. It strives to be a global leader in shaping a culture where people with and without intellectual disabilities are fully integrated into the community by providing year-round opportunities in competitive sports, health education, leadership and personal development.
Susan G. Komen, Chicago
Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest breast cancer organization, funding more breast cancer research than any other nonprofit in the country, while providing real-time help to those facing the disease. We are working to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer. Through events like First Look for Charity, we have raised critical funds which have enabled Komen to investment in research, advocacy and patient support that has increased early detection and helped develop more effective treatments.
Turning Pointe Autism Foundation
Turning Pointe is a beacon of hope and excellence in the world of autism education. Our mission is to transform the learning environment for children & young adults with autism, creating spaces where independence flourishes, communication thrives, and socially appropriate behaviors are nurtured. We believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to reach their fullest potential, and we are committed to making that vision a reality. This vital work is made possible through the heartfelt support of volunteers, donors, school districts, and employment partners. Together, we are building a brighter, more inclusive future, ensuring that each student not only dreams of a better tomorrow but achieves it.