Committed To Giving Back

Members of the Union League Club of Chicago embrace the core values of community, country and culture. The principle of service in the greater good is part of the Club’s DNA, and its dynamic membership has made the Club a catalyst for action in nonpartisan political, economic and social arenas since its founding. Through the work of its Public Affairs Committee, the Club hosts nonpartisan public forums on critical issues of the day to facilitate thoughtful, live discussion of matters that are vital to the citizens of the community and nation.

More than 100 years ago, the Club created the Union League Boys & Girls Clubs, one of the ULCC’s three charitable foundations, which actively works to bring bright futures to the underserved youth of the city. With a focus on the future of the country’s technological advancement, the Club’s Chicago Engineers' Foundation grants scholarships to high school students wishing to pursue careers in engineering.

Club members were instrumental in bringing the World’s Columbian Exposition to Chicago and played a role in establishing Orchestra Hall, the Field Museum and the Harold Washington Library Center. Today, the Club itself is a Chicago cultural gem. Owning more than 700 pieces of artwork, the Club has been called “The Other Art Institute of Chicago” by the Chicago Tribune. The Club hosts a tremendous variety of literary, arts and entertainment programming. Members participate in one or more of the 30 plus special interest groups, from the Wine Society to the Author’s Group. The Luminarts Cultural Foundation at the Union League Club cultivates Chicago’s vibrant arts community by supporting exemplary young people in the arts through its competitive programs that offer financial awards, artistic opportunities and mentoring that bridge the gap between education and career. The Club's unwavering support of men and women who serve in the military is expressed through organizations backing the soldiers and families of the Army’s 502nd Infantry Regiment/101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), the crew and families of the USS Chicago (SSN 721) and well as the USS Illinois (SSN 786), two U.S. Navy submarines and American Legion Post #758, which supports U.S. veterans and their families.