Hopecoming 2026 — Sponsorship Opportunities
About Hopecoming

Hopecoming is Hope Chicago's signature annual event, bringing together civic and business leaders, supporters, and friends to invest in thousands of Hope Scholars and their parents pursuing postsecondary education, training, and great jobs across Illinois.

As we embark on our 5th year, we gather to mark something that couldn't have been celebrated before: the first wave of Hope Scholars crossing the finish line. The students who joined us at the very beginning are graduating this spring — from college, debt-free, with their families beside them. Hopecoming 2026 is our chance to honor what that means, and to invest in every scholar still on their way.

We'll celebrate at the Obama Presidential Center — a fitting home for an evening about what becomes possible when a community decides that the next generation deserves better.

This year's packages include a new Anniversary Partnership — the only way to hold presenting-level recognition across all three of Hope Chicago's 2026 flagship events. Individual event tiers are available below, with Visionary as the top standalone Hopecoming sponsorship.

Levels of support
Special Offering · 5th Year · GoalGetters + Graduate Celebration + Hopecoming
Anniversary Partners
Hope Chicago's three flagship moments · GGC July 7–10 · Graduate Celebration August 13 · Hopecoming October 15, 2026
$100,000
We're offering this partnership for the first time in our 5th year, because this year is different. The first wave of Hope Scholars is finishing college debt-free, and on August 13 we'll mark a moment we've never marked before in our history. We want anniversary partners who are with us for the full arc: the GoalGetters Conference, where the next class prepares for what's ahead; the Graduate Celebration, where we honor the wave that just finished; and Hopecoming, where Chicago gathers to celebrate what's been built across all five years.
Naming & visibility
Name across all materials for all three events
Logo on all GGC venue materials
Stage, invitation & website at Hopecoming
Named recognition at the Graduate Celebration
A historic moment we'll mark for the first time on August 13
Annual impact report recognition
Big screen recognition at Hopecoming
Engagement & access
VIP table for 10 + pre-event reception at Hopecoming
Host Committee recognition
Up to 20 employee volunteers in a structured role at GGC
Named presenting sponsor of GGC Career Exposure Day
Program site visit
Option to contribute branded item to the Hopecoming guest gift
Impact & stewardship
First right of refusal for C.O.R.E. industry day or Scholar intern cohort
Custom co-branded impact report covering the full anniversary arc
Shareable with board, stakeholders, or CSR report
Visionary
$50,000
Provides vital support for an individual Hope Scholar for the full duration of their postsecondary education — tuition, room and board, fees, and meal plans from first semester through completion.
Recognition & access
1 VIP table for 10 guests and access to pre-event reception
Logo on invitation and website
Host Committee recognition
Digital recognition from stage
Exclusive pre-event reception with Hope Chicago leadership
Annual impact report recognition
Impact & stewardship
Named impact report
Year-end outcomes data, shareable with your board or CSR stakeholders
Hope Chicago program site visit
Champion
$25,000
Supports the work of a Student Success Coach — embedded in one of Hope Chicago's five partner high schools, guiding students and families from senior year through postsecondary enrollment.
Benefits
1 table for 10 guests and access to pre-event reception
Name on invitation & website
Host Committee recognition
Digital recognition from stage
Program site visit
Annual impact report recognition
Advocate
$15,000
Contributes to Hope Chicago's Scholar Emergency Fund — critical support that keeps an unexpected bill or disruption from becoming the reason a Scholar leaves school.
Benefits
Table for 10
Name on invitation & website*
Digital recognition from stage
Program site visit
Post-event impact summary
Annual impact report recognition
Friend
$7,500
Adds to the Scholar Essentials Fund — a shared resource covering the costs financial aid doesn't: textbooks, dorm supplies, and the everyday expenses that can quietly derail a postsecondary path.
Benefits
6 tickets to Hopecoming
Name on event website
Digital recognition at event
Post-event impact summary
Annual impact report recognition
Supporter
$5,000
A meaningful way to join the Hopecoming community and stand behind the first wave of Hope Scholars as they cross the finish line — and every Scholar still on their way.
Benefits
4 tickets to Hopecoming
Name on event website
Post-event impact summary
Annual impact report recognition

*Print inclusion on invitation dependent on commitment by August 15, 2026.