For 50 years, Ignite has stood beside Chicago’s most vulnerable youth, ages 10–26, providing housing, support, and hope year-round. During the holidays, we make sure every young person we serve feels the warmth of home and the joy of being cared for. Thanks to the generosity of our community last year, more than 150 youth received meaningful gifts—and this year, we’re aiming even higher. You can help make the season bright by donating through our Holiday Gift Drive. Here are some ways to help:

1. Sponsor one or more young people’s Holiday Wish Lists, each containing 3-5 items valued at $150. We send the lists and you purchase items by December 1 to be delivered or dropped off directly to Ignite.  

2. Donate gifts through our Amazon Registry. All purchases ship directly to Ignite from Amazon. 

3. Host a gift card drive! We are seeking 300 gift cards this year valued $25, $50, and $100 for Walmart, VISA, Amazon, and other locations. Ask our team for a full list of needs.  

4. Team shopping trip! Commit to purchasing much-requested items in bulk that many youth would be overjoyed to receive. The Ignite team can share a shopping list. 

We are accepting gifts through the first week of December.

Interested in donating? Questions or concerns? Contact us at holidaygiftdrive@ignitepromise.org.

To celebrate our recently expanded Community Housing program (we are adding 30 new apartments for young people across the city!), Ignite is hosting a Housewarming Drive. We are accepting donations through December 1st. There are two ways to particpate:

Share the joy of new beginnings with Ignite youth by purchasing essential items through Ignite Housewarming Registry —where items are shipped directly to our team.

OR

Request a list of needs by room (kitchen, bathroom, etc) to tackle with your team. Taking all 6 lists furnishes a full apartment for a young person at Ignite! Each list is valued at approximately $250.

Contact donations@ignitepromise.org if you have new and unused items you would like to donate.

Home can mean so many things, and for the hundreds of young people finding refuge at Ignite this year, home is a place of safety, love, and the support needed to envision a brighter future.

This Giving Tuesday, make a gift to Ignite and help #EndHomelessness in Chicago. Your gift of any amount directly supports youth building a better future at Ignite. In honor of Ignite's 50th Anniversary, donors of $50 or more will be entered to win 10 tickets to the Ignite & Shine Gala, an elegant evening at the Ritz-Carlton Chicago (valued at $5,000.)

 At Ignite, we provide resources and programs for young people ages 10 to 26, helping them grow as individuals, connect with their community, and acquire the tools necessary for their journey toward stable housing and a promising future.

Your gift empowers young people to achieve lasting personal and economic independence. Ignite's essential services include housing, education, employment, mental and physical health, and life skills development, all within a nurturing community. This year, Ignite will serve over 850 young people across our programs. Join us and "ignite" a brighter future for youth at the greatest risk of harm in Chicago.

We are grateful to our Giving Tuesday sponsors 

• O’Reilly Family Foundation

• Mulvihill Family Foundation

• Colleen Kessenich

• Allstate