🎓 Nearly 15% of students nationwide are still being left behind. Big Brothers Big Sisters is closing that gap through mentorship — with 99% of youth in their programs graduating high school. Learn how BBBS Chicago is helping youth across the U.S. thrive ⬇️

“An actor’s toolkit is the life they’ve lived, mixed with their imagination,” @jennafischer.bsky.social told us during Ashland Avenue rehearsals at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre. After beating breast cancer, her return is already resonating with audiences.

Jane Goodall, the legendary primatologist and conservationist, has passed away at 91. She leaves behind a legacy of hope, reminding us that a better world is still possible if people fight for it. In that spirit, here are 3 reasons she remained optimistic about the environment. tinyurl.com/2n2w77hc

🎗️ Less than 4% of federal cancer research funding goes to kids. This Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, honor Ty Louis Campbell & support pediatric cancer research. Kids deserve treatments made for them — not decades-old adult drugs.

Arts education is essential, not a luxury. Ingenuity’s Creative Schools Fund helps students access music, drama & art in under-resourced schools. Keep creativity alive—donate today! https://bit.ly/48ltS3V #ArtsEducationMatters #KeepCreativityAlive

Volunteers with Ukraine Freedom Company risk their lives delivering medical aid, clothing & generators directly into war-torn communities. 100% volunteer-run since 2022, UFC saves lives—but the need is urgent. 💙 Donate or learn more on our website.

Escaping #humantrafficking is just the beginning. Without income, housing, or education, freedom is fragile. Organizations like Salt & Light Coalition provide trauma-informed support, workforce training, and job placement to help women thrive. 💜

For Jamey Stillings, photography is a catalyst for change — capturing solar fields, wind farms & mining sites that shape our energy future. On @sundayofaction.bsky.social, his work reminds us that building a carbon-constrained future is essential to life on Earth. 🌍✨

✨ The Make It Better Foundation is matching donations to the @alzassociation.bsky.social up to $15,000 through Sept. 21, World Alzheimer’s Day. This week, your gift can go twice as far — donate now: https://tinyurl.com/27zp77ej

Across the U.S., 8.38M people live with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD), and 1 in 31 children are diagnosed with autism by age 8. With lifelong support more important than ever, too many adults face a sharp decline in services.

For Courtney, pregnancy brought unexpected challenges. Once connected with Child First, she found the support she and her children needed. #Changent provides mental health, parenting, and essential resources. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/2sz76mre

Looking for ways to get moving & make a difference? 🏃‍♀️🐾 Charity 5Ks & walks like @pawschicago.bsky.social and Walk to End Alzheimer’s (@alzassociation.bsky.social) raise vital funds & awareness. Find an event near you & be part of the change. Read more ⬇️ https://tinyurl.com/yw49xahh

24 years ago, 9/11 changed our nation. Organizations like Tunnel2 to Towers, Tuesday's Children & FDNY Foundation continue supporting those affected. 💛 Share your support for nonprofits in the post-9/11 space by submitting a You Said It today: https://tinyurl.com/54v6nyse

Every 40 seconds, someone dies by suicide. But it’s preventable.  Find support through orgs like @namicommunicate.bsky.social & @afspnational.bsky.social. Learn more on our websit. https://linktr.ee/themakeitbetterfoundation #WorldSuicidePreventionDay

#Familydinners are more than meals — they’re moments to connect. Research shows kids who eat with family have higher self-esteem & stronger bonds. Use tools from @projectzerohgse.bsky.social to spark conversation & make meals meaningful. Learn more: 🔗https://linktr.ee/themakeitbetterfoundation

Every day, students walk into classrooms carrying invisible burdens: depression, anxiety, trauma, or adult problems at home. Nearly 1 in 5 IL high schoolers seriously considered suicide last year. Youth mental health is an urgent crisis.

In 2025, U.S. nonprofit food programs lost $420M in funding while grocery stores discard 16B lbs of food. 🍎 @extrafood.bsky.social rescues surplus meals to provide dignity, connection & joy. Volunteer, donate, or advocate for hunger relief. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/44dvm5u7 #FoodInsecurity

Grief can feel isolating, but you are not alone. On #NationalGriefAwarenessDay, connect, talk, and seek support. Organizations like @afspnational.bsky.social, @namicommunicate.bsky.social#NationalGriefAwarenessDay, and others offer resources for healing and community. Learn more: https://linktr.ee/themakeitbetterfoundation

Keshet empowers individuals with disabilities to live, learn & thrive. A 2019 #Philanthropy Award winner, they prove it’s not about what you can’t do — it’s about saying yes, and how. Apply now for the 2025 Awards! Final day to submit: Aug 31. Learn more: https://linktr.ee/themakeitbetterfoundation

2 children were killed & 17 injured in a mass shooting during Mass in Minneapolis. Feeling helpless? You’re not powerless. Support @everytown.bsky.social, @momsdemand.bsky.social, and lobby your legislators for gun reform. Learn more: https://better.net/guides/how-to-help-fight-gun-violence/

#backtoschool season is here — and a simple question like “How was school, really?” can unlock deeper conversations. @greatergoodmag.bsky.social shares tips to move past one-word answers, build trust, and help kids open up. Explore the guide 👇🏽

One in two Haitians faces acute hunger, made worse by climate change. Trees That Feed is planting fruit-bearing trees in Haiti to build a thriving breadfruit economy. Help plant the 500,000th tree and support food, jobs & climate resilience! Learn more ⬇️

As we countdown to the 2025 Philanthropy Awards, we’re spotlighting past winner Girls In The Game 💕 In 2020, they served over 3,600 girls through after-school sites, Game Days, clinics, Teen Squad, & workshops—helping girls build confidence, leadership & healthy habits.

Early #childhoodeducation is one of the most impactful investments we can make. @projectzerohgse.bsky.social reimagines learning—prioritizing collaboration, empowering teachers, and putting joy, empathy, and creativity at the center. Learn more here ⬇️

What if your camera roll could spark change? 📸 On this #WorldPhotographyDay, we’re reminded that photography is more than beauty — it’s storytelling, empathy & action. A sequence of images can create a powerful narrative.

Communities thrive because of nonprofits — and volunteers make it happen. From mentoring at A Safe Haven to disaster relief with the Red Cross, volunteers bring time, talent & heart to countless causes. #NationalNonprofitDay

Diaper costs are up nearly 50% since the pandemic, and families are struggling. @ShareOurSpare has provided 17M diapers in 4 years, but a key partnership ending puts access at risk. Donate, volunteer, speak up. Learn more ⬇️

What do dogs have to do with childhood literacy?  For SitStayRead, reading assistance dogs help at-risk kids boost fluency, confidence & love of reading. In 2014, 2,000+ kids in 76 classrooms saw 48% greater fluency gains reading with dogs vs. peers. 🐾 #PhilanthropyAwards

Teen girls. Women mentors. Real-world leadership. #girlsinthegame’s Leader-to-Leader program builds confidence, career dreams & strong voices. Donate, volunteer, or host an event—help shape tomorrow’s leaders today. Learn more ⬇️

A new season is coming—ready to reset? Before school starts, take a moment to clear your space and your mind. Using these 6 mindful #decluttering steps from @greatergoodmag.bsky.social#decluttering you can create calm and focus in your home environment. ✨ Read more below.

Fear of the unknown keeps many from the arts, but @HubbardStreet is changing that. Their Ticket Access Initiative partners with community groups to create welcoming experiences so no one has to go it alone. Read more on our website. #dancecommunity

What starts with an instrument petting zoo can spark a lifelong love of music. The People's Music School gives 700+ Chicago kids free, intensive music education each year. A 2019 Philanthropy Award winner, they show how music transforms lives. Learn more: https://linktr.ee/themakeitbetterfoundation

Over 700M people faced hunger in 2023—but 2.8B suffer from “hidden hunger,” a lack of proper nutrition. @2blades uses AI, gene editing & more to fight crop disease and build a resilient food system. Read more on our website.

Lollapalooza lit up Grant Park, but this year’s most powerful music moments are about what’s endured. From epic reunions to Ozzy’s final show, they remind us how rock unites us—and why “you can’t kill rock and roll.” Read more: https://tinyurl.com/294rss8y

From purses to pets—could you be unknowingly fueling #wildlifetrafficking? The U.S. is a top consumer of illegal wildlife goods. Lincoln Park Zoo is working to change that through care, education, and advocacy. Learn more on our website. https://tinyurl.com/53d8zw2a

Chicago’s summer is packed with music, art, and outdoor fun — but these events are more than local. They show how cities everywhere come alive through connection and culture. Get inspired to explore your own community: https://tinyurl.com/2skhxp7w

Residents in disinvested neighborhoods are up to 60% less likely to be included in #urbanplanning. The Chicago Community Planning Academy is changing that with free, hands-on training. Learn more + get involved:

$250K in support. National visibility. A launchpad for your nonprofit. To be eligible for the 2025 Philanthropy Awards, submit a You Said It article by Aug 31. 🏆 $100K in funding 🎥 Video storytelling 🤝 New donors & support Apply now: https://tinyurl.com/3munw49v

265+ luxury cars. 1,200+ guests. Nearly $300K raised — with 100% of proceeds going to local nonprofits. Clearwater Capital Foundation’s Supercar Show is more than a car event; it’s a blueprint for strategic giving and values-driven philanthropy. Learn more ⬇️

At one Harlem school, 70% of students need 1:1 support and over half live in shelters. They’re not broken. They’re underserved. Read It and Leave It meets them where they are, turning books into joyful, culturally conscious experiences. 💛 Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/4hetz2hp

Marine Trades Institute is celebrating 20 years of launching hands-on careers in boat building and marine tech. On Aug 22, support their future at Crafted for a Cause — and double your impact with a $10K match from the Make It Better Foundation!

Inclusion isn’t just being invited — it’s being asked to dance. @KeshetChicago helps kids of all abilities thrive together through inclusive programs that foster empathy, connection & lifelong impact. Read 5 ways to raise inclusive kids ⬇️

More than 250 guests gathered May 7 for The Family Institute at Northwestern University’s Gratitude Gala, raising nearly $260K for no-cost mental health care. Learn more about the evening’s success and honoree Ryan Poles. 💙 https://tinyurl.com/2z2k86u4

West Garfield Park faces a 16-year life expectancy gap. The Garfield Park #RitetoWellness Collaborative is changing that with Sankofa Wellness Village — a community-led vision for health, equity & renewal. Learn more on our website!

After nearly 20 years on stage with The Joffrey Ballet, Christine Rocas steps into a new role as the company’s first female rehearsal director. Learn more about her journey and the future of dance in Chicago: https://tinyurl.com/3fmk7tbk

Over 5M kids face surgery each year, many with #anxiety that can delay recovery. Hope Always Foundation’s Warrior Tablet offers a safe, ad-free digital solution already helping kids in hospitals nationwide. No internet. Just peace. Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/muhaxx2b

In just 1 sq mile of West Garfield Park, nearly 1,000 people have been shot in 5 years. But #gunviolence is a symptom, not the root. MAAFA Redemption Project helps young people heal & rebuild through dignity, trust & community. Support their mission on our website.

What happens to Wine Country’s bottles? Conservation Corps North Bay collects & #recycles them—diverting 33,000+ lbs from landfills while training youth for green careers. 🌱 Learn more on our website & share how you're conserving.

#Photojournalist Goro Nakamura has spent 50+ years documenting the legacy of #AgentOrange — a witness to war’s lasting toll. In conversation with Mark Edward Harris, he reflects on the lives, scars, and stories that demand we never look away. Read more.

80k+ students are connecting across cultures through The Open Canopy—a free virtual program from @projectzerohgse.bsky.social, inspired by Paul Salopek’s 24k-mile walk. Students explore, share stories, and build global understanding. Learn more: