The Chicago Humanities Festival has enriched the creative and intellectual life of Chicago for over 28 years. In 2017, we continued to inspire our city by providing opportunities to engage with the thinkers and doers that shape the world we live in. But we didn’t do it alone!

This year, we brought thoughtful, challenging, and entertaining programs to audiences from Evanston to South Shore, from Bronzeville to the Loop. More than 230 presenters and interviewers participated in 131 programs over 27 days in 24 venues. This year, we can say that we filled more than 40,000 seats.

If you've been to one of our programs, or have been a Charter Humanist in the past, you know this is no small feat. Less than 15% of our budget comes from ticket sales--that's why we need donors like you to help keep our prices low. We believe that all Chicagoans deserve access to our programs, and you can help make it happen.

If you make a donation of $2500 gift before year’s end, and you’ll receive premiere seating for two at programs throughout the year, invitations to special events with festival presenters, and a free Friends-level membership to give as a gift this holiday season.

Your membership gift also helps fund our educational initiatives: EdLab, our program for Chicago teachers and students, and Humanities Without Walls, which provides support and experience to PhD students studying the humanities.

Because, like CHF, you’re passionate about bringing the finest minds of our time to Chicago, I ask that you join before year’s end, with the knowledge that you are helping to provide important cultural experiences that are unique to our community. As always, your Charter Humanist level contribution is completely tax-deductible.

If you've already given this you'd like to give a little extra or aren't ready to give at the Charter Humanist level, consider supporting us with a smaller gift. Your support at any level truly makes a difference.

Thank you so much for your cultural and financial contributions to CHF--you make Chicago a more engaged, thoughtful and creative place to live!