We're thrilled that you would like to add your voice to the growing and diverse chorus calling for a cleaner, healthier Chicago River system. We can't thank you enough for your involvement and support of Friends of the Chicago River's mission!  

For nearly 40 years, Friends has been a proven leader in coming up with creative solutions to our river's most important environmental challenges. As effective as Friends continues to be, our members and supporters like you remain a major part of our success. Every dollar you donate, every hour you volunteer, every Facebook post you share, every Tweet (or retweet) you send, and every photograph you upload to Instagram helps us fill in another piece of the complex puzzle that is the river. 

Putting the pieces of the puzzle together involved understanding the relevant parts of the river system. Once all the key pieces are found and understood, the puzzle as a whole comes together to make a lasting positive change in one of the three areas we focus on: education and outreach, on-the-ground projects, and policy and planning. Friends develops and works on projects that directly involve our staff, the local community, and environmental specialists, using a wide range of approaches in doing so. 

Your gift, no matter the size, will enable us to make real progress in addressing the deep seated problems which underpin the river's challenges. Getting your donation in by December 31 also allows you to include this donation on your year-end taxes. Your gift goes directly towards improving and protecting the Chicago River system for people, plants, and animals. 

Make a membership contribution online or send to:

Friends of the Chicago River
411 South Wells Street, Suite 800
Chicago, Illinois 60607

Beautiful river wildlife notecards featuring turtle, osprey, catfish, and bat illustrations by artist Jen Pagnini are available for purchase here. One set of notecards contains eight cards with two of each kind. Each sale is eligible for a complimentary membership at the Prairie Dropseed level.

 

 
 

Help Friends of the Chicago River continue our award-winning efforts to protect and improve the river. From educational/field trip programs, to on-the-ground projects, to public policy and planning initiatives, your membership gift supports the continuing recovery and renaissance of the Chicago River.

Friends members and donors at the $10+ level receive

• Subscription to The River Reporter newsletter
• Volunteer bulletins, email action alerts, and other opportunities for hands-on involvement
• Invitations to Friends' special events
• Listing in Friends' Annual Report

Friends members and donors at the $35+ level receive

• Benefits stated above
• Subscription to The River Reporter newsletter
• Free general admission plus discounts on bridge lift events, tour tickets, and merchandise at Friends’ McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
• Discounts on our canoe trips?
• A print and e-certificate for Business Members showing your employees, associates, and clients that you support Friends of the Chicago River

Business members of $100 and above, as well as individual/household members who give $250 and above, receive additional thank you benefits.

Most significantly, members and donors receive the reward of knowing that your membership contribution has a direct impact on improving the health and vitality of the Chicago River.

Your support can go even further if your workplace has a matching gift program.  Request and complete the employee section of your company’s form, then send it to Friends of the Chicago River to do the rest.

For information on The Otter Society - Friends’ Major Donor Program, Friends’ Endowment Fund, Tribute or Legacy Gifts, Planned Giving, Stock Gifts or Business Memberships and Opportunities, click on those you can to learn more or contact Kim Olsen-Clark at kolsenclark@chicagoriver.org or (312) 939-0490, ext. 19.