Chicago Urban League · Celebrating 110 Years
Annual
Our Voices. Our Democracy. Our Future.
Registration is open. Sponsorship payments are due Friday, October 30, 2026.
Our 2026 Corporate Co-Chairs
Why this year
110 years of building a Chicago that works for everyone.
Since 1916, the Chicago Urban League has worked to secure economic, educational, and social progress for Black families across our city. The Golden Fellowship Dinner is our signature gathering — the night our constituents, corporate partners, civic leaders, and neighbors come together to fund that work for the year ahead.
Our 2026 theme, Our Voices. Our Democracy. Our Future., recognizes the power of civic engagement, collective action, and community leadership. It celebrates the longstanding role Black communities have played in advancing democracy and reminds us that progress is built when people raise their voices, participate, and work together to create meaningful change.
Join us as we celebrate this historic milestone and the voices that continue to shape our future — an evening of inspiration, meaningful connections, live entertainment, and more.
Registration
Reserve your seat
Individual tickets and sponsorship packages are available now through our official registration partner, Givebutter. All ticketing for GFD 65 runs through this page.
- Individual tickets, tables, and full sponsorship packages in one checkout.
- Sponsors may pay by credit card or select Check at checkout and submit attendee names now, invoice to follow.
- Promotional codes apply to individual tickets only and cannot be used toward sponsorship packages.
- Unable to attend? You can still support the League with a gift at checkout.
- Questions about tickets, tables, or seating: development@chiul.org
Individual ticket$750
Admission for one to the gala, cocktail reception, dinner, program, live entertainment, and after party alongside Chicago’s business, civic, and community leaders.
Scan to register
givebutter.com/GFD2026
Event details
An evening in three parts
Saturday, November 7, 2026 · 6:00 PM · McCormick Place, Skyline Ballroom.
Doors open
Champagne Reception
6:00 PM
The evening opens with champagne and conversation before the program begins. Included with every ticket.
Main program
Golden Fellowship Dinner
7:00 PM
Dinner, the awards program, a special musical performance, and a live paddle raise supporting the League’s work across Chicago.
After hours
After Party
10:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Music, dancing, and a late-night celebration to close the evening. Included with every individual ticket; sponsors also receive VIP After Party invitations.
Relive the 64thHighlights from last year’s Golden Fellowship Dinner in the Skyline Ballroom — 2,500 guests, three Chicago icons honored, and Ledisi on stage.
The program
Our 2026 honorees and co-chairs
Please join us in celebrating this year’s honorees. Additional program details, including our featured performance, will be announced in the weeks ahead.
Honorees
2026 Honoree
Peggy Montes
Bill Berry Award
2026 Honoree
Larry Huggins
Lester McKeever Award
Corporate co-chairs
Corporate Co-Chair
Brett Hart
United Airlines
Corporate Co-Chair
Louis Carr
WayMaker
Sponsorship
Partner with the League
Sponsorship of the Golden Fellowship Dinner directly funds the Chicago Urban League’s workforce development, entrepreneurship, housing, education, and policy work. Every level includes recognition on this page, at the event, and across our channels.
Sponsorship levels
| Level | Investment | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Legacy | $100,000 | 3 premium tables (30 seats) · 30 VIP Champagne Reception invitations · 30 VIP After Party tickets · 60-second video during dinner · dedicated speaking opportunity · 2 spotlight videos on CUL social · program & website logo · featured invitation branding · branded red-carpet step-and-repeat · major Chicago media ad recognition |
| Leadership | $75,000 | 2 premium tables (20 seats) · 20 VIP Champagne & After Party invitations · 30-second video during dinner · 2 spotlight videos on CUL social · logo on webpage, digital invitation, video screens & signage · shared step-and-repeat · press release & major Chicago media ad recognition |
| Innovation | $50,000 | 2 premium tables (20 seats) · 15 VIP Champagne & After Party invitations · 2 spotlight videos on CUL social · logo on webpage, video screens & signage · company name on invitations · shared step-and-repeat |
| Empowerment | $35,000 | One table (10 seats) · 10 VIP Champagne & After Party invitations · logo on webpage · company name on video screens & event signage |
| Policy | $17,500 | One table (10 seats) · 6 VIP Champagne & After Party invitations · logo on webpage · company name on video screens & event signage |
| Advocacy | $12,500 | One table (10 seats) · 4 VIP Champagne & After Party invitations · company name on webpage, video screens & event signage |
Exclusive sponsorships
| Opportunity | Investment | Signature benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Champagne Reception | $60,000 | Two tables (20 seats) · branded step-and-repeat at the VIP Reception · speaking opportunity during the reception · 2 spotlight videos · logo on invitations, screens & signage |
| Attendee Gift | $35,000 | One table (10 seats) · specialized brand activation displaying a quality branded gift · company name on invitations · logo on screens & signage |
| Red Carpet | $35,000 | One table (10 seats) · individual step-and-repeat on the main red carpet · company name on invitations · logo on screens & signage |
| Photo Booth | $35,000 | One table (10 seats) · sponsor branding on the photo booth kiosk and every photo taken · logo on screens & signage |
| After Party | $35,000 | One table (10 seats) · specialized brand activation · sponsor branding on After Party signage and bar · logo on webpage · name on screens |
Sponsors paying by check or invoice
Please still register through Givebutter so we can capture your attendee names for seating.
- Select your sponsorship level on the registration page.
- Enter the names of your guests for the dinner, VIP Reception, and After Party.
- Continue to the payment methods page.
- Select Check as your payment option and complete checkout.
Completed sponsorship forms may be emailed to development@chiul.org. All sponsorship payments are due Friday, October 30, 2026. Sponsor logos and artwork are due Friday, October 9, 2026 to be included in printed signage, step-and-repeats, and on-screen graphics.
With thanks to
Our 2025 Corporate Co-Chairs
The Golden Fellowship Dinner is made possible by the organizations investing in Chicago alongside us.
Travel & Lodging
Hotel Accommodations
A discounted room block is available for GFD 65 guests at the Marriott Marquis Chicago.
Marriott Marquis Chicago
To make reservations for this group, use the booking link below, or call and reference Chicago Urban League 2026 when speaking with a reservation agent.
Prefer to book by phone? Call 1-877-303-0104 and reference Chicago Urban League 2026.
Reservation deadline: Friday, October 9, 2026.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
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November 7, 2026
Be in the room.
Join us at McCormick Place as the Chicago Urban League marks 110 years. Our Voices. Our Democracy. Our Future.
Your invitation
