Chicago Auto Show First Look for Charity Raises More Than $2 Million
Now in its 34th year, the black-tie event gives attendees an exclusive first look at the show before it opens to the public…
The Chicago Auto Show raised more than $2 million for 18 local charities at the First Look for Charity gala on Feb. 6. The black-tie benefit, held the evening before the show opened to the public, raised a total of $2,029,471.22. This is the 34th annual fundraiser, produced by the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) and Chicagoland’s new-car dealers.
“Local new-car dealers help drive our communities forward, not just through business, but through service,” said Jason Roberts, Chicago Auto Show chairman. “This black-tie event honors the culmination of a year’s worth of passion, partnership and commitment to making a difference.”
An Exclusive Look at the Show & Vehicle Giveaways
First Look for Charity provides attendees with an exclusive view of the Chicago Auto Show a day before it opens to the public. Tickets to the fundraiser are $325 each, and purchasers may elect to have their proceeds equally benefit all participating charities, or any one charity of their choosing.
This year, two brand-new vehicles were given away to attendees. Two Chicagoland winners took home a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox, courtesy of the Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers, and a 2026 Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid, courtesy of the Chicagoland Toyota Dealers.
2026 First Look for Charity Beneficiaries
Since its inception, First Look for Charity has raised more than $67 million for the participating local charities. The CATA and new-car dealers support charities year-round, through a program called Chicagoland Dealers Care. Chicagoland Dealers Care helps match donations made by CATA dealer members to charities within their communities.
The 2026 First Look for Charity beneficiaries include: 100 Club of Illinois; Advocate Health Care; ALS United Greater Chicago; Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago; Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago; Cal’s Angels Pediatric Cancer Foundation; Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago; Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago; Franciscan Community Benefit Services; Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana; Habitat for Humanity; Jesse White Tumbling Team; Lydia Home & Safe Families for Children; Misericordia; Sertoma Star Services; Special Olympics Illinois; Susan G. Komen, Chicago; and Turning Pointe Autism Foundation.
