Join Us for the 2nd Annual Winter Walk Chicago
Stay tuned for date & location!
Winter Walk 2026 Chicago
Ends in 6 months
$0.00
of
$50,000.00
raised
In February 2026, hundreds of Chicagoans will come together for the 2nd Annual Winter Walk Chicago—a powerful morning of solidarity, community, and action in the fight to end homelessness.
Housed and unhoused people - families, children, advocates, outreach workers, change-makers, and even dogs - will gather in one of the most iconic public spaces in the world, walking shoulder to shoulder as a community focused on ending homelessness in Chicago, and everywhere.
Winter Walk is more than just a walk—it's a visible commitment to compassion and a call to action. As homelessness continues to rise across Chicago and beyond, your participation is more critical than ever. Walk with us. Help us raise funds for our Organizational Partners, the service providers administering aid to the unhoused people that live in Chicago, every single day of the year. Invite your coworkers, friends, and loved ones. Bring your kids, your dog, your walking shoes, your warmest layers, and your biggest heart. Together, we can build a future where everyone has a place to call home. Register now and be a part of something meaningful next February.
FAQs
Winter Walk 2026 Chicago
What is the Winter Walk?
Winter Walk is a non-profit on a mission to end homelessness in America. Winter Walk hosts Walk Events in major cities across the United States designed to raise funds for local service organizations while building community between housed and unhoused people, and offers educational services to the public designed to eliminate the stigma associated with homelessness.
When is the Winter Walk Chicago?
Our target date is Sunday February 8th, 2026. Stay tuned for updates!
How are the fundraising monies used by the Winter Walk?
100% of the funds raised at all Winter Walk Events are given directly to our Organizational Partners, the service providers administering aid to the unhoused people that live in the cities we walk in, in the form of unrestricted funding. Winter Walk Inc. funds our administrative costs through corporate sponsorships, independent donors, grants, and in-kind donations, which allows us to continue to offer our Walk Events at no-cost to our Organizational Partners while ensuring that all funds raised by walkers and their donors continue to go to them directly.
Where is the Winter Walk Chicago and what is the walk route?
Stay tuned for updates!
What is the event schedule?
10:00 AM - Registration opens;
10:30 AM - Program begins;
10:50 AM - Walk begins;
11:30 AM - Breakfast served;
12:15 PM - Goodbyes/Thank Yous
What if I cannot participate in the walking portion, due to mobility or other challenges?
Our Walk Event is for everyone! The 2 mile route is on a paved path, and participants walk at their own pace. Our routes stay on sidewalks so that wheelchair and mobility devices are able to more easily be used. For anyone that is unable to participate in the Walk itself, we invite them to stay in the area to meet our partners and learn about their work, listen to music being played by our DJ, enjoy coffee or hot chocolate, and spend time talking with others that are joining the mission to end homelessness!
How do I register for the Winter Walk 2026 Chicago?
Registration opens on World Homeless Day- October 10th, 2025! Participants can register as individuals, or set up a team to walk with friends, colleagues, and more. Individuals can also register multiple people at once, such as family or friend groups. The Winter Walk encourages a registration fee of $100 for adults and $50 for youth/students. All who attend must be registered. If the registration fee is not an option for you, please reach out and we'll make sure you are able to join us. Email info@winterwalk.org for more info. While not required, we welcome all participants who are walking to fundraise for our Organizational Partners - every dollar makes an impact, and we can help you with resources to fundraise! Participants of all ages are required to review our liability waiver and accept the terms. Parents/guardians can read and accept on behalf of participants under 18 years of age.
What do I get with my registration fee?
All registered participants will receive a Winter Walk hat with our logo and a backpack with a pair of socks, generously provided by our Sponsor, Bombas. You're also invited to join us for a community breakfast after the walk, and hear from our organizational partners about the work they do every day to provide aid to the unhoused people of Chicago. Your registration fee is tax deductible.
Is there a fundraising minimum?
After your registration fee - $100 for adults, $50 for youth and students, and $10 for dogs - there is no fundraising minimum.
How do I fundraise?
Our guide to fundraising is downloadable from our website or this landing page. It has plenty of resources to help you! We are working with haku, a wonderful fundraising platform that helps you reach out to people to help contribute to the cause. And all the donations received are tax deductible to your donors.
Will donors receive tax documentation for their donations?
Yes! All donations that your supporters give towards your participation in the walk are fully tax deductible. All your donors will receive tax documentation, via email or letter, for their gifts.
What is Winter Walk's tax ID number?
Winter Walk, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 92-0734185). Your contribution is tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Can I start a team?
Yes! When you click register you can select to walk as an individual, join a team, or start a new team. If you choose to start a team, you can create your own group of friends, family, co-workers and beyond! You can invite more people to join your team, the program makes it easy to share with people through many channels. If you are walking as a team, please set a location on to meet your fellow walkers. We encourage teams to attend the walk and show team pride - wear matching scarves, carry signs, decorate and have fun. But no pressure, just being there together is what we're most excited about!
Can I transfer my registration, register on behalf of someone else, or give a registration as a gift?
Yes, registrations can be transferred or given as gifts. In the event of a transfer, the actual participant in the walk must provide us with their contact information and sign our liability waiver.
I don't want to walk - how can I help?
There are many ways to help the Winter Walk. You can help spread the word, share our website, Facebook or Instagram. You can visit the websites of our Organizational Partners and help share their incredible work. You can volunteer to help with our Walk, or better yet, volunteer to help our many Organizational Partners. You can also make a donation to the Winter Walk!
What should I wear to the Winter Walk?
Please wear weather appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes for walking. The Winter Walk takes place rain, snow, or shine (unless it's a state of emergency, but we're hopeful that won't happen). Participants should be prepared for very cold weather and possible inclement conditions. The time outside will be about 2 hours for the full event.
Can I bring a stroller?
Yes, please feel free to bring strollers if it helps with walking with little ones!
Can I bring my dog?
We love dogs! If they are good in crowds and cold, and can walk within our route safely with others, including small children, then we’d love to have them join us! We even offer a special registration add-on for dogs!
Top Donations
1. Lauren Ziemba
$500.00
2. Whalen and Ball Funeral Home
$200.00
3. Richard Pettus
$100.00
4. Richard Pettus
$100.00
5. Victoria R Schultz
$100.00
6. Ashwin Parulkar
$100.00
7. Annmarie Aquino
$100.00
8. Camilla Boyce
$100.00
9. Tina Goodrich
$100.00
10. Richard Pettus
$100.00
Top Donors
1. Lauren Ziemba
$500.00
2. Richard Pettus
$300.00
3. Whalen and Ball Funeral Home
$200.00
4. Ashwin Parulkar
$100.00
5. Annmarie Aquino
$100.00
6. Victoria R Schultz
$100.00
7. Camilla Boyce
$100.00
8. Tina Goodrich
$100.00
9. Lynn and Peter Corritori
$50.00
10. Raymond Iarocci
$25.00
Top Fundraisers
$500.00 raised
$100.00 raised
$100.00 raised
4. Ryan Pettus
$100.00 raised
$100.00 raised
$100.00 raised
$100.00 raised
Top Partners
1. HELP USA
$800.00 raised
2. Capuchin Franciscans of the Province of St. Mary
$775.00 raised
Top General Teams
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