25th Anniversary Celebration

25th Anniversary Celebration

Join Delta Institute for food, drinks, and fun at our 25th Anniversary Celebration on May 21, 2024 at the Chicago History Museum!
Delta Institute 25th Anniversary Celebration banner

Delta Institute is turning 25!

Delta was founded 25 years ago because environmental, economic, and climate issues hit communities—urban and rural—through disinvestment, systemic inequity, and policy decisions. And since our founding, we have collaborated with thousands of Midwesterners to help them reach their vision of a more equitable and innovative Midwest.
 
That’s why we invite you to join us the evening of May 21, 2024, in celebrating our 25th Anniversary! This special, once-in-a-quarter-century party will take place at the iconic Chicago History Museum. Join us for food, drinks, fun, and a toast to our past 25 years of impact! All proceeds support Delta Institute’s nonprofit mission of collaborating with communities across the Midwest to solve complex environmental challenges.
 

It’s sure to be a night to remember. Together, we’ll enjoy –

Joe Policastro Trio

Live jazz by the Joe Policastro Trio in the early evening

Music by DJ Risky Bizness at night – party with us as we enjoy pop songs from the past 25 years

Chicago Museum exhibits

Museum exhibits: Back Home: Polish Chicago, Chicago: Crossroads of America, City on Fire, and Designing for Change

Chicago Taco Stand

Chicago Taco Stand featuring beer-battered Lake Michigan whitefish tacos, carne asada tacos, sweet potato black bean tacos, and vegan elote

Other tasty passed hors d’oeuvres catered by Limelight, considered Chicago’s first “green” caterer for their sustainability commitments

Outdoor games and drinks collage

Join us in a toast with beer, wine, or one of our signature cocktails – all over outdoor games (weather permitting) with friends like cornhole, giant Jenga, and more!

For Delta’s 25th Anniversary Celebration, the Chicago History Museum welcomes all visitors and is committed to making its programs and services accessible to everyone. They currently offer:

  • Large-print labels for select exhibitions;
  • English and Spanish captions in most of their exhibition films;
  • Verbal Imaging Touch Tours of Chicago: Crossroads of America (by appointment only), which has extra descriptive elements, plus opportunities to touch items, created for visitors who have low vision or are blind (please contact Patrick Murphy for access by Friday, May 3, 2024);
  • Valet parking at the Museum;
  • Button-activated doors at the south end of the main entrance;
  • Public elevator operating between all floors;
  • Wide restroom stalls with grab bars, as well as an accessible family restroom on the second floor; and
  • Wheelchairs for your use free of charge (please inquire at the front desk or in advance by emailing Patrick Murphy).

Please email us with other questions or comments about accessibility.

Please note that Delta Institute’s 25th Anniversary Celebration may be recorded via photography, videography, and audio recording. By attending, guests grant Delta Institute permission to take photographs/video/audio of them and their property. Guests authorize Delta Institute, its assigns, and transferees to edit, copyright, use, and publish the same in print and/or electronically. Guests agree that Delta Institute may use such photographs/video/audio of them with or without their names and for any lawful purpose, including such purposes as publicity, web content, and reports. By attending, guests acknowledge that they have completely read and fully understand Delta Institute’s Media Release Consent Form and COVID-19 Disclosure and agree by all conditions, and they release any and all claims against Delta Institute for utilizing this material for publication, external promotion, or distribution via Delta Institute-managed channels.

Delta Institute recognizes and appreciates that COVID-19 is an ongoing consideration for events attendance and management. We encourage our guests to please connect with us another time and stay at home to rest if they are experiencing fever, cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste/smell, or any other symptom that may indicate COVID-19 infection. Further, we encourage our guests to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and welcome the wearing of masks to reduce community spread. Have fun and be safe!

CTA “L” Stations (within a half mile):

  • Brown Line Sedgwick station
  • Red Line Clark/Division station

Bus stops: CTA buses 22, 36, 72, 73, 151, and 156 stop nearby.

Parking: Complimentary valet service will be available at the Museum. Otherwise, public parking is conveniently located one block north of the Museum near Clark and LaSalle streets at 1730 N. Stockton Drive for $10 with Museum validation.

Chicago Taco Stand:

  • Beer-battered Lake Michigan whitefish tacos, lime crema & cabbage slaw
  • Carne asada tacos, cotija, cilantro, salsa roja & pickled onions
  • Sweet potato black bean taco, lime crema and fresh cilantro
  • Vegan elote, chipotle, cilantro and pickled red onion
Passed hors d’oeuvres:
  • Fresh spring rolls with pea shoots, poached asparagus, radishes, and avocado – Green Goddess vinaigrette (vegan) (gluten free)
  • Mini color block avocado toasts with shaved radish, asparagus tips and cherry tomatoes (vegan)
  • Tequila – lime shrimp skewer with achiote crema (gluten free)
  • Guajillo beef tamale bite with avocado pico de gallo (gluten free)
  • Grilled lime and cilantro-rubbed chicken polenta cake with avocado salsa
  • Maryland lump crab cake with lime aioli

Midwestern! Delta Institute supports communities throughout the Midwest, so show us your best Midwestern style! Whether dressed up or dressed down, come dressed to have fun, be comfortable, and express yourself 😊

Download the digital program book!

A brief overview of what you can expect at our 25th Anniversary, including information about the menu, agenda, sponsors, and all our volunteers who made this special evening possible. Enjoy! 

 

25th Anniversary Digital Program Book

Venue

Photo / Chicago History Museum

Since its founding in 1856, the Chicago History Museum has served as the “primary destination for learning, inspiration, and civic engagement to connect people to Chicago’s history and each other.” Delta Institute is proud to partner with the museum, a fellow 501c3 nonprofit organization, to celebrate our history.

As a guest of our 25th Anniversary Celebration, you are welcome to enjoy exhibits on display on the museum’s second floor as part of your experience for the first 90 minutes: Chicago: Crossroads of America, City on Fire, Back Home: Polish Chicago, and Designing for Change.

Guests are also welcome to join us on the museum’s outdoor patio overlooking Lincoln Park (weather permitting).

Complimentary valet service is available for all guests.

Thank you to our sponsors!

Thank you not only for supporting the event and joining the party, but for your generosity in helping us reach the next chapter of our work at Delta Institute!

MISSION MAKER

Anonymous

CLIMATE CHAMPIONS

William Blair

IMPACT INVESTORS

West Monroe logo

QUARTER CENTURY CIRCLE

Builders Vision logo
Chicago Community Trust
RW Ventures
Spaulding Ridge

PLANET PROTECTORS SPONSORS

CMIT Solutions logo

Delta Institute’s Board Chair Emeriti Sponsorship

ANNIVERSARY ALL-STARS

Anonymous

Carbon Yield logo
CIS (Corvias Infrastructure Solutions) logo

Kevin B. Dick and Kelly A. Delaney

David and Stacy French Reynolds

Niharika Hanglem

Illinois International Port District logo
The JW Agency logo
Plante Moran

Henrietta Saunders and Richard Day

South Ventures LLC logo
Stantec
Walter S. Mander Foundation

IN-KIND SPONSORS

1y4e logo
Apologue Liqueurs
Begyle Brewing logo
Eli's Cheesecake
Hoste Cocktails
Off Color Brewing logo
Rebuilding Exchange
Revolution Brewing
Sketchbook Brewing Co.
The Urban Canopy logo

25th Anniversary Committee

Thank you to all of our partners, supporters, former board members, former Delta Emerging Leaders, and friends of Delta Institute who volunteered on our 25th Anniversary Committee to plan for a successful, fun, and impactful celebration:

Kevin Dick
Principal, 389nm

Doug Fogelson
Founder/Director, One Year for Earth (1y4e)

Ghian Foreman
President/CEO, Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative

Aina Gutierrez
Executive Director, Rebuilding Exchange

Allison Hannon Holly
Director of Strategy, Pattern Energy

Kirsten Melling
Sustainability Associate, Buro Happold

Henrietta “Hank” Saunders, CFA
Former Board Director, Delta Institute

Sam Schiller
Co-founder/CEO, Carbon Yield

Travis Solberg
Chief Sustainability Steward, Solberg MFG

Erik Varela
Executive Director, Illinois International Port District

Jeff Williams
Former Board Director, Delta Institute

Contact

For questions or sponsorship information, please contact Patrick Murphy at pmurphy@delta-institute.org or 312-554-0900 ext. 31.

Support Us

Create a thriving Midwest for tomorrow by supporting Delta today.