The Chicago Auto Show raised more than $2 million, benefiting 18 local charities, at the First Look for Charity gala on Friday, Feb. 6. The black-tie benefit, held the evening before the show opened to the public, raised a total of $2,029,471.22. The annual fundraiser, produced by the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) and Chicagoland’s new-car dealers, has raised more than $67 million since its inception 34 years ago.
“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.”
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 split equally among all participating charities or directed to a single charity of their choosing. The show floor is filled with gourmet food from local Chicago restaurants, live music and premium drinks.
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.
The CATA and new-car dealers support charities year-round through the Chicagoland Dealers Care program. Chicagoland Dealers Care helps match donations from CATA dealer members to charities in 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
- Turning Pointe Autism Foundation
