Harvard Club of Chicago

The Harvard Club of Chicago is a non-profit organization, registered with the EIN 366110239, dedicated to serving the Harvard University community in the Chicago area. It is a 501(c)(3) organization.

History

Founded in 1857, the Harvard Club of Chicago is the oldest continuously operating Harvard Club in the world and is also one of the largest urban clubs, boasting a membership of over 1,000 alumni out of approximately 10,000 in the Chicago region[1].

Mission and Activities

The club's mission is to foster a strong and welcoming community of local Harvard University alumni through engaging programs and events. It serves the interests of Harvard in the Chicago region and promotes Harvard’s values of service, education, and leadership. The club provides alumni with opportunities to serve Harvard and benefit the local community[1].

Service Initiatives

The club engages in various service initiatives, including:

• Interviewing: Conducting interviews for local Harvard College applicants.
• College Fairs: Representing Harvard at local college fairs and diversity events.
• Early College Awareness: Hosting programs to help pre-high school families plan for college.
• Interviewing Workshops: Offering skills workshops for high school students.
• Prize Books: Awarding Harvard Prize Books to outstanding local high school juniors.
• Annual Awards: Recognizing community leaders with the HCC Annual Award[1].

Events and Programs

The club hosts numerous educational and social events, such as the HCC Annual Award Dinner, summer suppers, guest speaker events, Harvard-Yale Game Viewing Parties, and cultural programs. It also co-hosts events with other Harvard clubs and university groups[1][3].

Membership

Membership is open to all Harvard University alumni, current Harvard students, parents of Harvard students or alumni, current or former Harvard faculty, and widows/widowers of alumni. Membership levels include 1-year, 5-year, 10-year, and lifetime options. Complimentary memberships are available for current students, recent graduates, and those with limited resources[2].

Benefits

Members receive benefits such as discounted program rates, priority event registration, and access to an exclusive virtual club for online networking and discussion[2].