Friends offers many great ways for your workplace to contribute to the continued protection and restoration of the Chicago-Calumet River system for all people, water, and wildlife. From joining colleagues and other river supporters as a sponsor of the Big Fish Ball, to renting out our McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum for a special event, to getting muddy on a riverside Corporate River Action Day or taking a guided canoe trip on the river, there are opportunities to fit every business' needs.

Chicago River Business Alliance Membership 

Your membership directly helps Friends to reach our vision of making the Chicago-Calumet River system a healthy, biodiverse, climate resilient ecosystem with equitable, open access for all. Support our rivers at the level that's right for you. Join Friends or renew your business alliance membership . 

 

Event Sponsorship

Big Fish Ball • April 17, 2025

Join the leaders and young professionals from all over the Chicago community to celebrate the vibrancy of the Chicago-Calumet River system at our 18th Annual Big Fish Ball. At the event, we will celebrate the achievements of our watershed and discuss the importance of what is to come, all while enjoying delectable food & drink and gorgeous views aboard the Odyssey Chicago River boat. For sponsorhip information, please contact Annie Hanrahan, Development Director, at (312) 939-0490, ext. 19.

Chicago River Day • May 10, 2025

Chicago River Day is our largest on-the-ground event that encompasses more than 2,300 volunteers for a day of hands-on environmental work throughout the Chicago River system at over 75 sites along the river. Volunteers can collect garbage, remove invasive vegetation, spruce up and maintain river-edge trails, plant native seedlings, and much more. Businesses are invited to sponsor a select site on the river’s banks and engage their employees and family members in a fun and meaningful morning of volunteering. For sponsorship information, please contact Becky Lyons at (312) 939-0490, ext. 23.

Autumn River Cruise • September 2025

Friends of the Chicago River’s annual Autumn Cruise is a cocktail party on a boat that benefits Friends’ McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. This unique museum houses Friends’ broadest reaching public program and inspires tens of thousands of visitors to learn how they can help protect and improve the Chicago River. The museum is located in a landmark five story bridge tower on Michigan Avenue, is open May-October and welcomed its 200,000th visitor in 2018. For more information, please contact Josh Coles at (312) 939-0490, ext. 28.

Sponsorships at the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum • May - October

Daily, weekly, monthly, or special event sponsorships include a banner featuring your company logo displayed at our high traffic Chicago Riverwalk entrance of the Bridgehouse Museum, visible to thousands of pedestrians per day as well as museum visitors, and recognition on the museum website and Friends’ social media outlets. For more information and to customize your package, please contact Josh Coles at (312) 939-0490, ext. 28.

 

Bridgehouse Museum Rental

Unique venue rental in iconic Bridgehouse Museum • April - November

Host your next corporate or private function or celebration at Friends’ unique McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum! Located in one of Chicago's iconic five-story landmark bridgehouses, with unforgettable cityscapes of Michigan Avenue and the Chicago River, the Bridgehouse Museum can be an amazing venue for your next exclusive event. Click here for details or please contact Josh Coles at (312) 939-0490, ext. 28. 

 

Employee Engagement and Volunteer Hours

River Action Days 

Friends organizes and leads customized River Action Days for corporate groups, summer associates or organizations to contribute as a team through hands-on river restoration and stewardship. For more information, download our River Action Day flyer or contact Becky Lyons at (312) 939-0490, ext. 23.

Canoe Adventures 

Friends offers companies the chance to paddle together at many locations along the river by providing all equipment and trained, experienced canoe guides. For more information, please contact Annette Anderson at (312) 939-0490, ext. 14.

Chicago-Calumet River system 101 

Engaging river experts lead your employees to a better understanding of river-related environmental issues and how they can help. This involves a lunch-and-learn at your office or virtually. For more information, please contact Becky Lyons at (312) 939-0490, ext. 23.