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Serving Affiliates in Chicagoland

Serving Affiliates in Chicagoland

Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity works each day to make significant impacts to the work of Habitat throughout the region in these core areas:

  • Resource Development (Capacity Building)
  • Training and Technical Assistance
  • Raising Awareness

Regional Programs and Projects

Resource Development & Capacity Building

Chicagoland Habitat helps affiliates to access new sources of funding, and provides an efficient pathway for donors to support multiple affiliates. Some of our programs include:

  • Illinois Affordable Housing Tax Credits
    • CHFH works with affiliates to prepare their applications for state tax credits, and then sell those tax credits for additional funding for home building.
  • Habitat Illinois Building Impact (HIBI) downpayment program
    • CHFH administers downpayment grants of $15K-$20K, funded by the Illinois Housing Development Authority, for qualifying Habitat homebuyers.
  • Grant Writing
    • CHFH assists affiliates in applying for collaborative, complex and/or government grants.
  • Veterans Build
    • CHFH administers several sources of funding for veterans seeking homeownership and home repairs.
  • Regional Events
    • CHFH hosts two regional fundraising events annually to raise funds for affiliates’ work and CHFH operations.

Training & Technical Assistance

Chicagoland Habitat provides shared services, training and technical assistance to leverage affiliates’ impact:

  • Regional Repair Collaboration
    • CHFH is coordinating efforts to apply for larger funding sources to expand repairs offered by area affiliates, and to pursue operational efficiencies.
  • Shared Technology
    • CHFH provides staffing and funding for software to support fundraising, repair tracking, mortgage origination and website hosting.
  • Networking Events
    • CHFH hosts monthly peer-to-peer meetings for Habitat staff and stakeholders in key operational areas, and an annual networking event for all area staff, board members and key volunteers.
  • Veterans Build
    • CHFH staff serve as the liaison to the veteran community to provide information and resources to ensure that veterans in our communities know of Habitat’s housing opportunities.

Wesco International is the inaugural sponsor of the Regional Repair Collaboration in Chicagoland

Raising Awareness & Marketing Assistance

Chicagoland Habitat works with affiliates to advocate for fair and just housing policies in the Chicago region:

  • Local Liaison for Habitat for Humanity International’s Advocacy efforts
    • CHFH organizes the local efforts for Habitat’s Cost of Home Campaign and national advocacy during Habitat on the Hill.
  • Media Relations
    • CHFH manages a regional calendar for PR/marketing and coordinates any collaborative efforts to engage with the media.
  • Social Media & Marketing
    • CHFH creates social media content to support affiliates in engaging current and new supporters in Habitat’s work.

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.