Save the date for our 2026 Annual Benefit and join us as we kick off our annual Fall Festival!
Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026
Reception 6 – 7 p.m. CT
Dinner and Program 7 – 9 p.m. CT
The Geraghty, 2520 S Hoyne Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
2026 Honorees
Changemaker Award
Civic Leadership Award
Humanist of the Year
Shermann “Dilla” Thomas
Emmy Award-winning modern historian, cultural worker, and activist
Evening Program
A conversation with acclaimed author, artist, performer, and activist Sandra Cisneros, author of The House on Mango Street, and the Poetry Foundation President Michelle Boone.
Individual and Corporate Sponsorship Opportunities
The Annual Benefit is Chicago Humanities’ signature fundraiser and one of Chicago’s premier fall events. Bringing together civic, corporate, and philanthropic leaders, together we raise critical funds which bring our programs to life.
All proceeds from the evening ensure Chicago Humanities remains our city’s home for vital civic and cultural conversations as we fulfill our mission to amplify new ideas and voices in ways only the arts and humanities are able — with depth, power, perspective, and passion.
Thank you for your support, and we hope to see you there!
Sponsorship Levels
Benefit Co-Chairs
Meryl Rosen, Attorney
Ryan Ruskin, The Ruskin Group
Benefit Committee
Liz Buchanan, NielsenIQ
Suzanne Gignilliat, Suzanne Gignilliat Inc.
Cheryl Harris, Allstate Insurance Company
Elizabeth Nolan, Bank of America
Kostas Poulakidas, Greenberg Traurig
Meryl Rosen, Attorney
Ryan Ruskin, The Ruskin Group
Edward N. Siskel, Latham & Watkins
For more information, please contact Michelle Schwartz, Associate Director of Board & Corporate Relations, at mschwartz@chicagohumanities.org or (517) 605-5934