Update on the Future of Our Gratitude Gala Event

Over the past three years, support from our community has raised nearly $2 million—providing thousands of individuals and families with free behavioral health care through our Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic. Thank you for your continued partnership and support of The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Your generosity has helped advance our mission and expand access to mental health care across the communities we serve. 

As we look ahead, we wish to share an important update regarding the future of our signature fundraising event, the Gratitude Gala, which historically takes place each May during Mental Health Awareness Month. Beginning 2026, the Gala will shift to a biennial structure, meaning we will not be hosting the event in FY’26. Our next Gratitude Gala will take place in May 2027. In the meantime, The Family Institute will continue hosting smaller in-person and virtual engagement events to stay connected as a community.  

We are excited to announce that on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 5 to 7pm, we will host In Session with The Family Institute: A Conversation with Vienna Pharaon. We invite you to learn more about this upcoming event here! Thank you for being part of our community and for helping make mental health care accessible to those who need it most. 

Thank you to those who attended The Family Institute at Northwestern University's third annual Gratitude Gala on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

With the support of our donors and sponsors, we collectively raised nearly $260,000 to help fund our no-cost therapy for more than 1,000 people through our Bette D. Harris Family & Child Clinic, which provides free mental and behavioral therapy services for individuals, couples and families who could not otherwise afford it.

Fireside Chat with Ryan Poles

The Family Institute celebrated Ryan Poles, this year's Mental Health Community Impact Honoree, not only as General Manager of the Chicago Bears, but as a father, husband and mental health advocate whose personal experiences are helping shape a bold new culture in professional sports. Listen to this engaging, heartfelt discussion between Ryan and Dr. Jonathan Sutton, director of The Family Institute's Cognitive Behavioral Therapies Program.

2025 Event Photos

Ryan Poles stands with The Family Institute's president and CEO as well as several members of its Board of Directors.
Three graduate students of The Family Institute stand together in the dining room at the Gratitude Gala, smiling.
Four guests smile while seated at a table in the dining room at the Gratitude Gala.
Guests stand at the silent auction table and browse items from signed jerseys to panoramic framed photos of Chicago.
Ryan Poles stands and smiles while holding his award, a diamond crystal plaque.
In a crowded room, guests hold up signs with numbers on them in the live auction.
Four guests wearing shades of pink and red smile while standing at a table on the patio at the Gratitude Gala.
In a crowded room with tables filled with guests, Dr. Jonathan Sutton and Ryan Poles sit on the lit stage and have a discussion.
Staff of The Family Institute stand and smile in the dining room at the Gratitude Gala.
Guests of the Gratitude Gala stand in line at a food station and fill their plates with prime rib and pasta.
Wearing a suit, Ryan Poles sits and speaks into a microphone on stage at the Gratitude Gala.
Lexi Sutton from NBC 5 Chicago wears an orange dress and speaks into a microphone at a podium on stage with The Family Institute's logo in the background.

View more photos from the Gratitude Gala by Buzz McBride Photography.

Event Information

Date: Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Doors Open: 6:00 p.m.
Event Concludes: 9:00 p.m. 

 

Location: Galleria Marchetti | 825 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60642
On-site valet available 

 

Honoree:

Ryan Poles, General Manager of the Chicago Bears | Mental Health Community Impact Award

 

Dress Code:

Cocktail Attire

 

This event is a seated reception with an open bar, food stations and passed hors d'oeuvres.

Mental Health Community Impact Honoree

Ryan Poles | General Manager of the Chicago Bears

Ryan Poles Gratitude Gala Honoree

The Family Institute presented Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles with the Mental Health Advocate Award because of his commitment to make mental health support a priority for players and everyone within the Chicago Bears organization. The Family Institute honors Ryan’s ability to not only use his platform to help destigmatize mental health issues, but also to set a good example through his openness about his own mental health journey.  

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Champion Sponsors

The Harris Family Foundation | Katie Lamb-Heinz & Bill Heinz | Michael E. Murphy Foundation

Platinum Sponsors

Blue Owl | Chicago Bears | Sachs Family Foundation

Gold Sponsors

Blue Cross Blue Shield of IL | Byline Bank | Susan & Michael Canmann | Kevin M. Gates & Microsoft | Global Group Inc. | John & Julie Goodman |

Jenner & Block LLP | Michael and Elaine Rucker Family Foundation | Dr. Horace & Mrs. Susan Smith

Silver Sponsors

Esther & Ronald Franklin | Libby & Larry Lucas | Thomas & Janet McQueen | Steve & Teresa Palmitier | Sweeney Scharkey LLC

Gratitude Sponsors

Blueprint | Julian & Lisa Coleman | Diana Cordova | Lauren & Brian Elrod | Jim & Sheila Feldman |

Roxanne Hori & Robert Felsenthal | Maritza Gibbons | Jana L. Jones | Ed & Courtney Loeb | Carol & Randy Long | PNC | Antonia Warren

Matching Gift Partner

Make It Better Foundation

In-Kind Sponsor

The Mail House, Inc.

Media Partner

NBC 5 Chicago & Telemundo Chicago logos

Contact Information

For questions regarding the Gratitude Gala or to learn more about event sponsorship, please contact advancement@family-institute.org.