DONATE NOW

How Habitat Works

Each and every day, people all over the world (and all over Will County!) partner with Habitat for Humanity to offer families strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Through this partnership, each family has the opportunity to build and purchase their own decent home with an affordable mortgage. When hard-working families are surrounded and supported by determined volunteers and generous donors, a future full of opportunity is built. Here’s how Habitat works.

one

the partnership begins

Habitat for Humanity partners with individuals and families to help them achieve strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. Families must have a qualifying housing need, have a steady income, and be willing to partner with Habitat. Learn more about homeownership.

two

property is acquired

Land for a family’s future home is donated to or purchased by Habitat. Habitat also renovates existing homes that are donated or purchased to create safe housing. Would you like to make a tax-deductible land or property donation? Contact us today.

three

resources are secured

Sponsors and donors contribute the financial resources that allow Habitat to secure the required materials and services to build or renovate each home. Businesses and organizations also donate their materials and services as a tax-deductible gift-in-kind. Contact us to learn more.

four

future homeowners prepare

Future homeowners progress through the Habitat partnership by completing sweat equity hours. This includes building their home and the homes of other families, participating in home maintenance and financial literacy courses, and much more.

five

the home is built or renovated

Volunteers contribute their time to build or renovate a family’s home. While serving with Habitat, volunteers will work alongside future homeowners and Habitat site supervisors – no previous experience or skill required. Volunteers are the heart of Habitat for Humanity! Learn more about volunteering with Habitat.

six

the home is sold

Once all of the partnership requirements have been met and the home construction or renovation is complete, the home is sold to the deserving family with a long term, no-profit mortgage. The family or individual now owns a safe, decent, and affordable home.

seven

the cycle repeats

As current Habitat homeowners make payments on their no-profit mortgage, they are helping to fund the construction and renovation of additional homes with other low-income families. Every Habitat for Humanity home, whether new or renovated, has some funding from homeowner house payments and proceeds from Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

Individual Tickets

Can’t attend but would like to support the event? Click here to make an online donation!

First Look for Charity 2023 Tickets

Official Hotel

WHY NOT MAKE A SPECIAL EVENT EVEN MORE MOMENTOUS? THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW HAS PARTNERED WITH THE HYATT REGENCY MCCORMICK PLACE TO OFFER AN EXCEPTIONAL RATE FOR GUESTS ATTENDING FIRST LOOK FOR CHARITY.

Hyatt Regency McCormick Place

Book Now

The Chicago Auto Show is proud to announce its continued partnership with the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place as the official hotel for the 2023 Chicago Auto Show.

Just a 5-minute indoor walk from the McCormick Place show floor, experience modern guestrooms and sweeping views of the Chicago Skyline. Overnight guests of the hotel will receive a 15% discount at our multiple on-site food and beverage outlets.

The negotiated rate for First Look for Charity, scheduled for Friday, February 10 is $143*. Internet and health club/pool access is included with the price of the room.

Vehicle Giveaway

One highlight of the First Look for Charity is the vehicle giveaway. Over the years, lucky winners have driven off with the keys to 50 vehicles, including a Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper. Any attendee who has purchased a ticket is eligible to win. However, the winner must be present at the time of the drawing.

This year, the giveaway vehicles are a 2023 Honda CR-V Touring Hybrid or a 2023 Subaru Crosstrek Sport. Winner must be present at the time of the drawing.

[1] A random drawing of ticket stubs for all attendees at the First Look for Charity Event with be made upon open stage during the course of the event. Vehicle(s) will be awarded at that time. If the owner of the winning ticket stub drawn fails to claim prize within a reasonable time, as determined solely by the Chicago Auto Trade Association, his right to the vehicle will be forfeited and an additional ticket stub will be drawn. The odds of winning depend upon the number of ticket stubs collected. Substitutions for the vehicle are not permitted; there are no cash award alternatives. Void where prohibited by law. Winner agrees to permit the Chicago Automobile Trade Association and/or the First Look for Charity Foundation to use his/her picture for future publicity and promotion without compensation. Winner further agrees to provide name, address and Social Security number to the Chicago Automobile Trade Association and/or the First Look for Charity Foundation, and to be responsible for any and all taxes, including Federal and State income taxes, state and local sales taxes or excise taxes, as applicable. Winner further acknowledges that he/she will be provided a Federal Form 1099 at year end indicating the full value of the prize awarded.