The Greater Chicago Food Depository does some of the most important work there is - making sure our fellow Chicagoans are well fed. Since this mission lines up with our own (though on a somewhat different level), we whole-heartedly support their efforts. They also happen to throw some of the best benefit dinners in the business. On May 15, the Food Depository will be hosting its 15th Annual Girl Food Dinner at West Town Tavern. The 5-course meal, cooked entirely by female chefs, will blow your socks off, and the $150 ticket price goes right to the food depository. more ›

Lillstreet Art Center celebrates a milestone, Rock For Kids and a food fest at the French market this weekend. more ›

Planning on showering your love with an abundance of sweets? Give a gift that gives twice, with the delicious desserts from the Sweet Miss Giving’s bakery, a social enterprise operation where more than 50% of profits go directly to the Chicago House. Not ready to venture too far, given the remains of the recent snowpocalypse? Sweet Miss Giving’s launched a food truck last month, bringing those sweet treats to you! more ›

Rock for Kids, a local non-profit organization that brings music classes to underprivileged and at risk children throughout Chicago, is competing in this month’s Pepsi Refresh Project to win a $50,000 grant to fund their free music education program. Realizing that music can be a positive motivator in a young person's life, Rock For Kids goes directly into the community to make classes like hip hop production, ethnic drumming, piano and guitar lessons easily accessible and free year-round for children in need. In order to win the grant, the organization needs to receive the most votes for their “idea” to help the community. Each month the Pepsi Refresh Project selects 1,000 ideas that will have a positive impact in the community from people, businesses, and non-profits and allows viewers to vote for their top 10 favorite ideas every day. Currently, Rock for Kids is ranked 149th. more ›

On January 1st, 2010 an increase in registration fees will make it more difficult for non-profit organizations to lobby the state legislature. The ACLU of Illinois filed suit on Friday asking a federal court to block the increase, calling it a “tax on free speech.” more ›

During an interview with Chicago Public Radio, North Kenwood resident Lauren McCadney says she chose to live in the South Side neighborhood because of its parks and affordability - but to shop for groceries or other household items, she has to get in her car and make a “destination trip” to a Dominick’s or Target. McCadney says she spends between $500-$700 a month for groceries, dining out, and trips to Target, money spent outside her community which she believes could ultimately support the business. more ›

Looking to support a good cause and good art? Consider The Arts of Life, a community group which provides developmentally disabled adults an outlet for expression in the form of creating art. Now they're in a new space at 2010 W. Carroll Avenue and are ready to hold their ninth annual summer exhibit with a special showcase and auction Saturday night, June 20th. Besides the art exhibit, there will be a raffle and a silent auction as well as a performance by the Arts of Life band. Wine, beer and hors d’oeuvres are included in the price of the tickets and all proceeds benefit the Arts of Life Gallery+Studio. more ›

Any moment now, Blue Sky Inn will open the doors to its new bakery and café. Located at 4749 N. Albany in Albany Park, the bakery will serve as another extension for the non-profit organization's mission of providing creative, recreational and educational activities to at-risk youth. We dropped in Saturday to take a look. more ›

Aiming to bring down Google Adwords (not likely) by keeping online ad revenue local (quite likely), SaveChicago.org is connecting businesses, consumers and the nonprofits they love, turning bargain hunting into desk-chair philanthropy. more ›