| Member Login
Apply Now

1871 ANNUAL FUND

WE INSPIRE, EQUIP, AND SUPPORT FOUNDERS BUILDING EXTRAORDINARY BUSINESSES.

Gifts to the annual fund are essential in ensuring that Chicago and 1871 continue to be the best place to start a business. The annual fund provides flexible funding that is instrumental to pursuing this mission and continuing to be the #1 Incubator in the World. It allows us to provide founders across Chicago with the resources, tools, and knowledge necessary to increase their probability of success.

 

 

Donate_Button-1

 

For example, gifts to the annual fund can:

  • Support diversity scholarships for underrepresented founders
  • Expand programming and pilot new learning modules
  • Recruit industry experts to serve as mentors
  • Support connections between founders and funders

A startup founder’s experience at 1871 is brought to life by many committed

and enthusiastic individuals and organizations.  Our supporters are a vital part of this ecosystem.

We will recognize donors to the

annual fund at the following levels*:

CHAMPION
$1,000+

 

 

  • Invitation to annual “State of the Union” call with 1871 CEO Betsy Ziegler and Board Chairman Larry Eppley
  • Invitations to attend four member-only events throughout the year
  • Name recognition in the 1871 Donor Honor Roll
  • Name recognition in the 1871 Annual Report
  • 1871 T-shirt
  • Discounts on Momentum Awards tickets

INVESTOR
$999 AND BELOW

 

 

  • Invitations to attend two members-only events throughout the year
  • Name recognition in the 1871 Donor Honor Roll
  • Name recognition in the 1871 Annual Report
  • 1871 sticker

Donate_Button-1

 

 

*Giving level membership is based on cumulative contributions made to the annual fund during 1871/Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center’s fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).

 

222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza
Suite 1212
Chicago, IL 60654

312.239.0310
[email protected]

Apply Now

What is 1871?

The story of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 isn’t really about the fire. It’s about what happened next: A remarkable moment when the most brilliant engineers, architects and inventors came together to build a new city. Their innovations — born of passion and practical ingenuity — shaped not just Chicago, but the modern world. What started 140 years ago continues to this day.

Come to a place where you can share ideas, make mistakes, work hard, build your business and, with a little luck, change the world.