2024 Project H.O.O.D. 10th Annual Gala

Saturday, September 28, 2024

Reception 5:30 PM

Dinner 7:00 PM

After Party 9:00 PM - Midnight with live band Maggie Speaks!

Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier

850 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

On behalf of Project H.O.O.D.’s Advisory Board and 2024 Gala Committee, we are honored to invite you to an elegant evening celebrating Project H.O.O.D.’s work at our Annual Fundraising Gala. The event will take place on Saturday, September 28, 2024 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier. I ask you to please join us as we honor our sponsors and friends while sharing our work on the South Side of Chicago.

Pastor Brooks started Project H.O.O.D. 12 years ago by spending 94 days on the roof of an abandoned hotel to raise gun violence awareness. Now, Project H.O.O.D.'s expansive programming benefits youth and families in the Woodlawn and Englewood neighborhoods by promoting entrepreneurship and providing the support necessary to make the neighborhood a safer place. Our five programming pillars are:

• Violence Prevention to make our community a safer place to live and thrive
• Entrepreneurship & Job Readiness to support local businesses and promote self-starters
• Health & Wellness to provide healthcare resources, fitness programs and social engagement activities
• Youth Programming to give children a safe place year-round to learn and grow
• Re-Entry Services to support our returning citizens and prevent recidivism

It is our wish to bring people together from all over the city and beyond who have an interest in becoming part of the solution to the epidemic of crime, violence, and poverty on the South Side of Chicago.

The Project H.O.O.D. Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center is well under way in the heart of the South Side. Construction began in the fall of 2023. Our expected timeline is 24-36 months. With an $8 million commitment, the Robert R. McCormick Foundation secured facility naming rights. In addition to the McCormick Foundation gift, this includes $5 million from Kenneth C. Griffin of Citadel, $2 million from Related Midwest, $1.5 million from Wintrust, and all of the required concrete from Ozinga Concrete. We are progressing towards the end of our capital campaign and have an additional $5 million to raise.

Your Gala sponsorship will go directly towards programming and our new center. Our Annual Gala plays an important part in the financial support of our impactful programs. Our work would not be possible without the generous support of individuals and companies like yours.

Thank you for understanding how important it is to help bring change to our community. For additional information, please contact Kristen Kell at 773-219-0690 or email gala@projecthood.org. On behalf of the community we serve, we thank you for your consideration and hope you will join us for this celebratory and engaging evening!