Giving DuPage was founded in 2001 by two philanthropists who felt that the community was unaware of the countless way to share their time, treasure and talents with others. Throughout the years, we have been seen as a community resource on volunteerism and giving to further make our impact in DuPage County.
Committed to the belief that every individual can contribute positively to the community, Giving DuPage inspires and informs businesses, civic groups and individuals in DuPage County to share their resources of time, money, goods and services with non-profits, serving the needs of county residents. We also assist nonprofits in increasing their professional development and professional skills.
Throughout the years, Giving DuPage has been seen as a community resource on volunteerism and giving, serving on boards and committees of the United Way, the Academy for Non-Profit Excellence at the College of DuPage, the West Suburban Philanthropic Network, and the DuPage Association for Volunteer Administration. In 2010, Giving DuPage chaired the Non-Profit Network of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, and from 2010 until 2013, Giving DuPage chaired the Volunteer Centers of Illinois.
2001 – Founded By Two Philanthropists
Giving DuPage was founded in 2001 by two philanthropists who wanted to strengthen the community and better enable its members to give back. With the support of DuPage County Government and the Healthy DuPage initiative, Giving DuPage became known as the DuPage Philanthropy Project with the mission of promoting giving and volunteerism throughout DuPage County.
2002 – DuPage Remembers and Gives
Shortly after the founding of Giving DuPage, the tragedy of 9/11 occurred. Giving DuPage fielded hundreds of calls from members of the community who wanted to find ways to serve along with coordinating a day of service the following year. Since then, DuPage Remembers and Gives…A Day of Volunteerism, has had ten annual recurrences with the goal of bringing the community together.
2003 – The Annual Giving Guide
Knowing the holiday season brings the community together to share blessings, Giving DuPage created a printed guide of volunteer and holiday giving opportunities across the county. This guide was produced from 2003 to 2007 being updated in 2008 as the Annual Giving Guide. The Annual Giving Guide was printed annually and distributed across the county.
2009 and 2010 – Volunteer Fairs
In 2009 and 2010, Giving DuPage hosted Volunteer Fairs at Cantigny Park in Wheaton to inspiring community service and volunteerism while connecting with our DuPage County neighbors. In January of 2011, Naper Settlement and Giving DuPage partnered to host the Find Your Cause Volunteer Fair offering the chance for dozens of agencies to share their causes and service opportunities with the community.
2011 – Volapalooza Was Born
In 2011, Giving DuPage launched Volapalooza honoring and celebrating the countless amazing, selfless volunteers across DuPage County. This feel-good fundraiser honors 100+ Do-Gooders every year from causes and organizations throughout DuPage County.
2012 – Human Race 5K/2 Mile Fitness Walk
Our inaugural Human Race 5K/2 Mile Fitness Walk took place on April 21, 2012 at Danada Forest Preserve raising $48K for area nonprofits. The second annual Human Race held on April 27, 2013 at the Esplanade at Locust Point raised more than $61K for area non-profits.
2019 – Giving DuPage Days Was Launched
Giving DuPage switched from a physical 5K race to our keynote Spring fundraiser, Giving DuPage Days. Giving DuPage Days is a 5-day virtual, online community fundraiser that provides DuPage County nonprofits the opportunity to raise unrestricted funds for their causes. In three years, 7,391 donors raised $995,386 for hundreds of local charities!
