Since 1989, the Festival has brought new ideas, exciting speakers, and compelling programs across the city of Chicago. Some of our Festival Friends were nice enough to wish us a Happy Anniversary.

"Whereas, since its start 30 years ago, the programs provided by the Chicago Humanities Festival continue to have a positive impact on the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois, and beyond by contributing to the quality and richness of our civic and cultural discourse..."

You can help us celebrate our 30th Anniversary in several ways...

Kind Words from the CHF Community

CHF reflects the energy of Chicago with many facets of people, places, and events; it’s thrilling to be a part of this extension of Chicago. —Sharon

As an accessibility services provider, the opportunity to include people of ALL abilities in these collective explorations of our shared humanity is a blessing. For how can we truly understand our humanity if we choose to selectively exclude some humans from the conversation? —Martin

It is a gem of culture in the city that brings us closer to the highlights of the world. —Kay

The CHF is a gift to Chicagoans, and it is a dream come true for an Educator. The information I receive always benefits my students. I get the opportunity to stay connected to a community that cares about the humanities. —Alicia

CHF raises our cultural consciousness, challenging us consider new possibilities for ourselves and our communities. —Alex

Thank you to the following individuals and organizations for their generous gifts of $30,000 or more in this 30th anniversary year. We applaud their leadership and commitment.

AAR Corporation

Abbott Laboratories

Allstate Insurance Company

The Crown Family

Harve Ferrill

Barbara and Richard J. Franke

Leonard A. Gail and Robin M. Steans | The Steans Family Foundation

Linda and Wilbur H. Gantz

Elaine and Roger Haydock

ITW

Lynn and Douglas H. Jackson

Kirkland & Ellis

John Krehbiel and Karen Gray-Krehbiel

Elizabeth A. Liebman

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

Judy and John McCarter

Raymond and Judith McCaskey

National Endowment for the Humanities

Northern Trust Corporation

PERT Foundation

The Rhoades Foundation

Robert R. McCormick Foundation

Debbie and Jeff Ross

Anita and Prabhakant Sinha

Liz Stiffel

Marilynn and Carl Thoma

Deborah and Nigel Telman

Terra Foundation for American Art

Annette W. Turow

Lisa and Paul Wiggin

Helen Zell

Join our 30th Anniversary Circle! For individual giving, contact Bill Melamed. For corporate giving, contact Hanan El-Youssef.