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Fundraising Event

Start Early’s Annual Luncheon

June 3, 2026

Save the date for our upcoming 24th Annual Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on June 3!

Save the Date:
Start Early’s
24th Annual Luncheon

Join us for Start Early’s 24th Annual Luncheon hosted by Bruce Rauner and Helen Zell:

June 3

11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. CT

Hyatt Regency Chicago

151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL

This year our luncheon theme is The Power of Starting Early: Changing the World, One Child, One Family, One Community at a Time. The program will lift the growing movement of parents, educators and partners advocating for our youngest learners and explore how the earliest years open the door to possibility—for every child, every family, every generation. We will also feature a fireside chat with Start Early President Diana Rauner and Shannon Watts.

Annual Luncheon Speakers

Together we can transform lives. Help shape brighter futures – play your part in a child's development.

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2026 Annual Luncheon Sponsors

A special thank you to our corporate and individual sponsors whose commitment to our mission is helping more children reach their full potential.


VISIONARY

Rauner Family Foundation
Zell Family Foundation


PRESENTING

$100,000

Kent & Liz Dauten
Karen Rudolph & David Donnini
Anne & Don Edwards
Karen Michael & Jacqueline Ferro
Mary & Paul Finnegan
Leslie Graham & Louis Kenter
Leslie Bluhm & David Helfand
Hobson/Lucas Family Foundation
Erika Pearsall & Ned Jannotta
Cece & Tom Ricketts
Collin & Joanna Roche
Wilson/Garling Foundation


CHAMPION

$50,000

 

BMO logo Oberhelman Foundation & Cullinan Properties, 2023 Annual Luncheon Sponsor

Nancy & Steve Crown | The Crown Family
James & Karen Frank
The Hasten Foundation
Malott Family Foundation


PREMIER

$25,000

 

 

Related Midwest, 2023 Annual Luncheon Sponsor

Dave & Jane Casper
Bobbie & Charlie Denison
Marilyn & Larry Fields
Tom Gimbel
Golder Family
David & Gerri Kahnweiler
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Keiser
Anne Lovett & Stephen Woodsum
Sue & Steve Mandel
Deborah & Stephen Quazzo
Diana & Michael Sands
Catherine Siegel


PARTNER

$10,000

Abbott
Ellen Alberding & Kelly Welsh
CME Group Foundation

Harris Family Foundation
ITW
Klaff Family Foundation
PNC
Port Capital LLC & Brien O’Brien
Martha & Scott Smith
Steans Family Foundation
Pritzker Traubert Foundation
PwC


COMMUNITY

$5,000

Susan & Stephen Baird
Boeing
Linda & Peter Bynoe
Constellation
Terri & Bob DiMeo

Judy & Jamie Dimon
The Dolores Kohl Education Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Rodney L. Goldstein
Rachel & Devin Gross

Maxwell Gunnill
Cabray Haines & David Kiley
Mary Ittelson
J.P. Morgan Private Bank
Linda & Laurence Levine
Charles & Brunetta Matthews
Susan Blankenbaker Noyes
O’Keefe Family
Rothkopf Family Foundation

Halee Sage & David Friedman
Ken & Kathy Tallering
Anne & John Tuohy
Susan & Bill White


GIFTS

$2,500-$4,999

Patricia Cox
The Resurrection Project
WTTW | WFMT

In Case You Missed Us

Since its inception, the Annual Luncheon has raised millions of dollars for Start Early’s mission. Learn more about our past Annual Luncheon events.

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What We Do

Our comprehensive approach applies our deep expertise in program, policy and research so that children, families and educators can thrive.

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Support Our Work

Together, when we start early, we can close the opportunity gap and ensure every child has a chance to reach their full potential.

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Our Impact

Learn more about how we are supporting children, families and early childhood professionals as we improve the state of early learning in America.

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