Chicago's Top 100 Events 2012 - Benefits

#1 Benefit (up from #3)
This year, the annual Discovery Ball served as a model for the society’s nationwide events and staffers from six major markets got "backstage training" at the illustrious affair. The benefit, which took over the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, raised a record-breaking $2.7 million, with a single auction lot bringing in an impressive $218,000. Next: April 27, 2013

#3 Benefit (up from #5)
Last year, comedian Steve Harvey served as the M.C. for the Chicago Urban League Golden Fellowship Dinner, which included a performance by Patti Labelle. The event raised $1.9 million and attracted 1,800 guests. Next: November 10, 2012

#4 Benefit (up from #16)
The stylish evening raised nearly $2 million, drew politicians and corporate titans, and served an innovative dinner that included smoking cold soup and appetizers growing from beds of wheat grass. Next: October 20, 2012

#5 Benefit (up from #6)
Last year, the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner saw authors seated at every table, a record $1.25 million funds raised, and iconic film critic Roger Ebert honored. This year’s event will honor Don DeLillo and Walter Isaacson. Next: October 17, 2012

#6 Benefit (up from #13)
The gala has grown rapidly in the past few years; this year, some 1,050 guests helped raise $1.5 million. The Advocate Christ Medical Center’s Salute Gala had a Mission Impossible-inspired motif. Next: Spring 2013

#7 Benefit (up from #8)
The popular black-tie affair includes an aquatic show, an elegant dinner, and an after-party with a chocolate buffet, lavish specialty cocktails, and dancing in a tented area overlooking the lakes and the city’s fireworks show. ITW and McDonald’s are among the many corporate supporters. Next: Summer 2013

#8 Benefit (up from #23)
With a bicycle theme that translated into tire chandeliers, the popular eco-friendly event raised $1.6 million and drew 620 corporate and civic leaders. Next: Spring 2013

#9 Benefit (up from #17)
Always an ornate affair with a well-heeled crowd, the Field Museum Gala raised $1.3 million in 2011 and drew 700 guests. This year’s event will have a decadent Maharaja theme. Next: October 13, 2012

#10 Benefit
The ball had a "Great Cats-by" theme with a look evocative of an old-fashioned mansion. The Village People performed in a surprise cameo and more than 1,000 guests contributed to a fund-raising take of more than $1 million. Next: July 2013

#11 Benefit
The event raises more than $1 million annually, features celebrity guests, and has a long list of corporate supporters. David Spade and Billy Bush appeared at the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s 2012 Wish Ball. Next: Spring 2013

#12 Benefit
The gala took place at the massive Aragon Ballroom this year, had 200 auction packages, and raised more than $500,000. KC and the Sunshine Band performed. Next: Spring 2013

#13 Benefit (up from #14)
In 2012, the food-focused event had a Havana theme, drew 1,200 guests including corporate leaders restaurant-industry bigwigs, and raised $500,000. Next: January 2013

#14 Benefit (up from #15)
The attention-grabbing gala gets major corporate support from companies such as ComEd and Blue Cross Blue Shield. This year, more than 1,000 guests attended the N’Digo Foundation Gala and Aretha Franklin headlined. Next: Summer 2013

#15 Benefit
The gala supports the charity founded by Chicago’s beloved former first lady Maggie Daley. The 2011 After School Matters Gala drew 1,500 guests. This year’s event—with new chairs since Daley’s recent passing—takes place on Navy Pier with performances and a fireworks show. Next: October 1, 2012

#16 Benefit
The glitzy gala celebrated a year of $2 million fund-raising activity in 2011 with more than 1,000 guests. This year’s event at the Hilton Chicago has the theme “Lifesavers: Keeping Hope Afloat.” Next: December 8, 2012

#17 Benefit
The heart-healthy event—the meal is always reflective of the cause—counts big players from the medical community among its 800 guests. The American Heart Association’s Heart Ball raised $1.6 million in 2012. Next: April 13, 2013

#18 Benefit
Benefiting the Northwestern Memorial Hospital, the high-profile Friends of Prentice Gala typically draws an 800-guest crowd to Navy Pier and raises around $1 million. Next: Summer 2013

#19 Benefit
This year, the springtime gala offered its 800 guests a peek at a live cheetah, raked in $1.3 million, and was supported by the likes of American Airlines. Next: Spring 2013

#20 Benefit (up from #24)
This year, the 600-guest event took place at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel with an "Aqua" theme and raised $1 million. Next: Summer 2013

#21 Benefit
The gala is chaired by Rita Hayworth’s daughter, Princess Yasmin Aga Kahn, and always has a theme inspired by one of the legendary actress’s movies. This year, the Alzheimer’s Association’s Rita Hayworth Gala raked in more than $1 million. Next: May 11, 2013

#22 Benefit (up from #26)
The planetarium’s largest annual event typically draws 600 guests and raises more than $1 million; each year, a corporation is honored. This year the Adler Planetarium’s Celestial Ball has a "Milky Way" theme. Next: September 8, 2012

#23 Benefit
Held at the Peninsula, the event had an "old Havana" theme this year and netted $750,000. Next: May 2013

#24 Benefit (new to the list)
The summer event draws the cream of North Shore society to Chicago Botanic Garden’s grounds for an elegant evening replete with a Veuve Clicquot champagne reception. Next: June 2013