Dear Friends,
Welcome to Seeds of Change: Power the Movement Crossroads Fund’s annual fundraising event that pools resources to support movements for racial, social, and economic justice while honoring and celebrating our collective organizing for a more just world.
Power the Movement is not just a theme—it’s a powerful call to action that inspires us all to come together at our annual fundraiser to celebrate the collective strength of the organizing ecosystem that connects and drives us towards change. It reminds us that every movement needs the resources to fuel its work.
In fiscal year 2024, Crossroads Fund supported 220 organizations in Chicago working to build a world where mutual aid, collective care, and fierce activism are options for resisting systems rooted in white supremacy, racial capitalism, colonialism, and heteropatriarchy. We pooled resources from individuals and partners in philanthropy to move $5.4M. Seeds of Change is our opportunity to pause and celebrate the wins, the interventions, and the communities that make up our progressive movements.
In this moment, where the current administration labels students, the elderly, immigrants, citizens, trans and queer individuals, the poor and working class as the 'radical left', we must stand visible and unyielding in the face of fear. To say our communities are under attack is an understatement. From the censorship of books and curricula to the distortion of science, history, and art, this is not just opposition—it is an attempt to erase progress and replace it with an alternative truth.
We invite you to enjoy the silent auction, delicious food, and drinks, and let the music move you. But more than that, we encourage you to connect. Meet someone new, exchange contact information, and dive into meaningful conversations about each other’s dedication to creating change.
With deep gratitude and solidarity,
5:30 PM - RECEPTION
6:00 PM - BUFFET DINNER & OPEN BAR
7:00 PM - JOYCE "PEACHES" FAISON TRIO
7:30 PM - ONLINE AUCTION CLOSES
7:35 PM AWARDS PRESENTATION (THEATER)
FIND A SEAT AT THE THEATER AT 7:00 PM
8:30 PM AUCTION PICK UP
MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE AUCTION ROOM TO PICK UP YOUR AUCTION ITEM(S)
9:30 PM EVENT CONCLUDES
CATCH YOU AT THE DANCE FLOOR
LINKS
Ron Sable Award for Activism
The Ron Sable Award for Activism is a living memorial to a man whose leadership and vision continue to inspire others to take up the hard work he left behind. Ron worked across issues and communities, fighting for the rights of gays and lesbians, women and reproductive rights, just treatment of prisoners, and national health care. He helped develop services for individuals with HIV/AIDS at Cook County Hospital, he was an active member of the Democratic Socialists of America, he was a founder of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, and he pioneered as one of the first openly gay candidates for alderman in Chicago. Ron also served on the Crossroads Fund Board of Directors for ten years.
Each year, Crossroads Fund honors an exceptional individual or group that reflects Ron’s commitment to progressive change and the interconnectedness of issues and struggles across communities.
ILLINOIS COALITION FOR IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE RIGHTS (ICIRR)
Crossroads Fund is proud to honor Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) with the Ron Sable Award for Activism. ICIRR has worked for 37 years to advance the rights of immigrants and refugees, ensuring their full and equal participation in our diverse society's civic, cultural, social, and political life. Through their coalition and member-based model, they diligently provide resources, safety, and dignity to immigrants and asylum seekers across Chicago and Illinois, including those who have recently arrived from the southern border. As a vital part of our community, ICIRR plays a crucial role in supporting organizations and offering direct support to the ecosystem of immigration justice.
Donald F. Erickson Synapses Award
The Donald F. Erickson Synapses Award recognizes the founder of the Synapses Foundation, which was dissolved in 2007, with the assets serving as an endowment gift to Crossroads Fund. The annual endowment payout helps to support grantmaking.
Don taught geography, history and social studies at Calumet High School. He was a committed activist for social justice, and worked to end human rights violations across the globe. Don was also an avid supporter of Christian Peacemaker Teams, and specified that the Synapses Foundation continue to fund that organization for as long as they exist. Don had a great sense of humor, and additionally requested that the Synapses Foundation money support political sketch comedy. Crossroads Fund is grateful and honored to remember Don and his work for social change by presenting this award in his memory.
CHICAGO PALESTINE FILM FESTIVAL
Crossroads Fund is proud to honor The Chicago Palestine Film Festival (CPFF) with the Donald F. Erickson Synapses Award. CPFF provides a unique space for filmmakers, artists, and audience members to engage with compelling stories that explore the multifaceted aspects of Palestinian life. With an impressive 24-year journey, the Chicago Palestine Film Festival has established itself as the world’s longest-running consecutive Palestinian film festival, a remarkable achievement that reflects their dedication and vision. They create a vital, open, thought-provoking, and reflective space through curated films and programming, empowering filmmakers and artists with a powerful platform to share their stories and amplify their voices.
Lynda J. Tipton Memorial Award for Social Justice
Crossroads Fund is proud to present the Lynda J. Tipton Memorial Award for Social Justice, which was funded by Lynda’s family and friends in celebration of her life.
Lynda Tipton leaves a deep and rich history advocating for workers’ rights and racial justice. She was an early staff member of the Chicago Women’s Liberation Union and a union representative for SEIU Local 73, where she represented clerical, janitorial, and technician staff for ten years. She was a founding member of the Interracial Family Network, a group to support the biracial identity of youth and their parents. Lynda was also a grassroots activist who marched for civil rights, women’s rights, and against the wars in Vietnam and Iraq. Crossroads Fund honors Lynda and celebrates the intersectionality of issues for which she so fiercely fought.
EVETTE CARDONA
Crossroads Fund is proud to present the Lynda J. Tipton Memorial Award for Social Justice to Evette Cardona. Evette has bridged the realms of social impact and advocacy as a professional in philanthropy and education while also serving as an activist and organizer for LGBTQIA+ rights, focusing on uplifting women and gender-expansive communities. Her activism began in 1993 when she co-founded Women of All Cultures Together (WACT), aimed at bridging racial and cultural divides among women. In 1995, she helped establish Amigas Latinas for Latina lesbian, bisexual, and questioning women. Cardona currently serves as the Vice President of Programs at the Polk Bros. Foundation and is a graduate of the University of Chicago's Crown Family School of Social Work.
SPONSORSHIPS
Thank You to our Sponsors!
(As of 1/3/25)
Trailblazer: $10,000 and BEYOND
Anonymous
Susan Eleuterio & Tom Sourlis
Field Foundation of Illinois
Polk Bros. Foundation
Resource Generation
Woods Fund Chicago
Changemakers: $7,500 - $9,999
Healthy Communities Foundation
Mainstream Media
Visionaries: $2,500 – $4,999
CIBC Bank
James & Megan Murray Cusick
Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation
Joseph Grant
Irving Harris Foundation
Jani Hoft & Linda Wagner
St. Luke's Lutheran Church of Logan Square
Pillars Fund
Movers & Shakers: $1,000 – $2,499
Anonymous
Gary Arnold
Kay Berkson
Bold Ventures
Missy Carpenter
CivicLab
Joy Clendenning
Mardge Cohen & Gordy Schiff
Mary Debacker & Kim L. Hunt
John D’Emilio
Fifth Third Bank
IL Community Power Fund
Julia Klein
Jeanne Kracher & Laura McAlpine
Gordon Mayer
NAKASEC
Esther Nieves & Richard Garibay
Paul M. Angell Family Foundation
People's Law Office
Gordon Quinn
Barbara Ransby & Peter Sporn
Ronna Stamm & Paul Lehman
Third Wave Fund
Voqal
Wellington UCC
Women Unite!
Stewards: $750-$999
AMPT: Advancing Nonprofits
Mollie Anderson & Al Rosenberg
ARISE Consulting Inc.
Shelley Davis & Omar McRoberts
Nora Kyger & Bill Foster
Skyler Larrimore
Elyse Schauer
VNA Foundation
Sponsors: $350 – $749
ALMA Chicago
Molly Armour
Martha Biondi
Chicago Freedom School
Alice Cottingham
David deVries
Sue Foran
HANA Center
Pat Handlin
Mia Henry
Kheira Issaoui-Mansouri
Terrence Keleher
Alice Kim
Rajeev Kinra
Mary Morten & Willa Taylor
Patricia O'Brien
Heather Parish
Jon Quinn
Rachel Reichlin
Dick Simpson
Jan Susler
Tom Wilson
Robin Wold
INSPIRATION, INFLUENCE, IMPACT
Manuel Hernandez-Nuñez would like to honor Evette Cardona; “For her continued support of ALMA Chicago and Latinx LGBTQ+ representation.”
Joseph Grant would like to honor Tuyet Le "May her memory always be for a blessing."
Emmanuel Garcia would like to honor activist and community organizer Veronica Castro for "her tireless efforts in championing immigrant rights and advocating for justice and equality."
Missy Carpenter would like to honor Juliet de Jesus Alejandre, Palenque LSNA; "For her commitment to love, liberation, and solidarity."
Jonathan Peck would like to honor Thomas Tresser, "Tom has advanced social justice in Metro Chicago and beyond. As a co-founder of The CivicLab Inc., he has trained many citizens in civic engagement and worked on significant social justice initiatives. By creatively addressing corruption in our civic landscape, he has helped shift the narrative from scarcity to abundance. We honor his lifetime achievement and ongoing advocacy for social justice."
HOST COMMITTEE
Thank You to our Host Committee!
(As of 3/7/25)
Makkah Ali*
La Tony Alvarado-Rivera
Mollie Anderson* & Al Rosenberg
Gary Arnold
Becky Belcore & Chris Williams
Megan Carney & Becky Huinker
Missy Carpenter*
Inhe Choi
Michael Collins & Cat Greim
Alice Cottingham
James & Megan Murray Cusick
Shelley Davis & Omar McRoberts
Mathilda de Dios
Mary Debacker & Kim L. Hunt
Cecile DeMello*
Lee Dewey*
Susan Eleuterio & Tom Sourlis
Hanan El-Youssef*
Denise Ferguson
Sharlyn Grace*
Brock Grenn
Caronina Grimble
Tracie Hall*
Abbey Hambright & Ben Santos
Pat Handlin
Alheli Herrera*
Jani Hoft & Linda Wagner
Katelyn Johnson*
Gabriel Jones*
Alice Kim
Julia Klein
Jeanne Kracher & Laura McAlpine
Nora Kyger & Bill Foster
Skyler Larrimore*
Laura León
Rebekah Levin & Sophie Kaluziak
Cherie Lockett
Mayra López-Zuñiga
Sharmili Majmudar & Laura Noah
Michelle Morales
Mary Morten & Willa Taylor
Patricia O'Brien
Chandra Palmer*
Barbara Ransby & Peter Sporn
Alma Rodriguez
Brittany Roque
Anna Rubin
Erwin Saenz*
Ala Salameh & Eric Frank
Muhammad Sankari*
Dick Simpson
Debbie Southorn & Olivia Abrecht
*Also a Crossroads Fund Board Member
THANK YOU TO OUR VOLUNTEERS
(As of 1/1/25)
Pryscilla Bolander
Kanti Keislar
Cora Galpern
Ying Dai
Adayan Munsuarrieta
Marian Patton
Josh Son
Rebekah Levin and Sophie Kaluziak
Garvey Madden
Tammy Woods
Zulma Ocampo
Yazen Affaneh
Blanca Garza
Alicia Hurtado
Jordyn Myers
cassie wilson
Alice Kovacik
Sonia Nussbaum
Stephanie Keller
Lauren Hamilton
Azucena Sanchez
Lee Andel Dewey
Skyler Larrimore
Missy Carpenter
Lorraine Sands
Pri Das
Rick Roque
Miriam Savad
Nathan Madden
Rosie Lazaro Loeza
Alheli Herrera
Cassie Wilson
AUCTION ITEMS
Thank You to our Auction Donors!
(as of 1/1/25)
18th Street Casa de Cultura
About Face Theater
American Friends Service Committee
Mollie Anderson and Al Rosenberg
Annette's Italian Ice
Lourdes Arias
Aunt Nance's Shakin' It Show
Avondale Bowl
William C. Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn
Keisha Barnard
Big Delicious Planet
Diego Bleifuss Prados/Bus Stop Paintings
Juana Boksa
Laura Botwinick/SONA Gallery
The Brewed
Michael Bridges
Nichole Brown/Neecolaaa Yoga
Brown Sugar Bakery
Buddy
Busy Beaver Button Company
Carolyn's Krisps
CH Distillery
Chicago Architecture Center
Chicago Fair Trade
Chicago Mahogany Tours
Chicago Mosaic School
Chicago Palestine Film Festival
Chicago School of Shoemaking and Leather Arts
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Chicago Weaving School
Chris Newman Sculpture
Arianna Cisneros
Concern America
Sara Peak Convery
Olly Costello
Ying Dai
Lee Dewey
Dissenters
Shannon Downey/BadAss Cross-Stitch
The DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center
Early to Bed
Jill Eid
Eris Brewery and Cider House
Estereo
Natalie A. Evans
Eve Ewing
Ruth and Dale Fast
Fat Cat Cabaret
Janet and Jim Fennerty
Eliza Fernand
Andres Fernandez
First Ascent
Jean Fishbeck
Fleur Chicago
Fred Follansbee
Foursided
Lizzie Fowler/Feuille Ceramics
Iva Freeman
Sophia Galassini
Teresa Garcia
Lizette Garza
Gene Siskel Film Center
Gethsemane Garden Center
Glacier Outfitters
Glamrūm
Gnarware
Silvia I. Gonzalez
Good Omen
Goodman Theatre
Mac Grambauer
Great Lakes Tattoo
Greater Good Strategy
Jillian Gryzlak
Patricia J. Handlin and Flint Taylor
Haymarket Books
Hazel
Daniela Herrera
Carina Hoyer
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
IO Theatre
Gary Jackson/Fire When Ready Pottery
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams
Jerry's Sandwiches
Just Seeds
Abha Kapila
Kartemquin Films
Katherine Anne Confections
Keep It Savory
Leigh Kelsey/Rhymes with Twee
Alice Kim/Prison + Neighborhood Art/Education Project
Avery Knight/Glitter & Grime Designs
Maria Krysan and Tonika Lewis Johnson
Las Crafty Anties
Beth LeFauve and Mark Roe
Rebekah Levin
Lillstreet Art Center
Cherie R. Lockett
Lula Cafe
Katie Madden
Naomi Martinez/Monstrochika
Marz Brewing Co.
Lillian McCartin and Brad Thomson
Karrie Miner
Cecelia Mitchell
Yesica Morfin/Made a Mano
Museum Of Illusions
Music Box Theatre
The Music of the Baroque
National Museum Of Mexican Art
Navy Pier
Neo-Futurists
One Of a Kind Show Chicago
Osito's Tap
Chandra Palmer
Penguin Foot Pottery
Perkolator
Pinatta Taqueria
Pinwheel Records
Pixie and the Boy
Prairie Nursery
Production Mode
Randolph Street Market
Nathalie Rayter
Rebuilding Exchange
Red Light Chicken
Rep Chi
Sarah-Ji Rhee
Rivendell Theatre Ensemble
Dianna Rodriguez
Roeser's Bakery
Brittany Roque
Kristina and Rick Roque
Ala Salameh
Sanctuary Health
Seguin Gardens and Gifts
Robin Semer and Bill Lamme
Silver Room
Dick Simpson
Skydeck Chicago
Dean Spade
Sparrow Hair Salon
Steppenwolf Theater Company
Kathy Swanson
Michael Swierz
Tacotlan
Tennis on the Lake
Threadless
Tightrope Recording
Monica Trinidad
Jennifer Trok
Twisted Scissors
VRC Massage and Wellness
WE-ACTx
Wolfbait & B-Girls
Chai Wolfman
Women & Children First
Tammy Woods
Makiko Yamauchi and Dan Boyd
Irina Zadov
STAFF
Michael Aguhar, Program Director
Nouha Boundaoui, Program Manager
Emmanuel Garcia, Development & Communications Director
Lizette Garza, Program Director
Jane Kimondo, Executive Director
Katie Madden, Development Manager
Joanna Preston, Program Manager
Kristina Roque, Operations Director
Alexis Sanchez-Boyzo, Communications Manager
Makiko Yamauchi, Finance Manager