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corporate & community partnership
PARTNER
WITH US
Connecting with community through creative alliances with great partners. We are so grateful for the many amazing partners we have made here at Opportunity Knocks. The River Forest – Oak Park area and more have proven to be the best neighbors around. Consider being our next partner!
Building Meaningful Partnerships Since 2010
Opportunity Knocks is built on great partnerships. Connecting with our community through creative alliances is paramount to our mission impact. Please read on to see how we do it and where opportunities may exist for you and your team!
LOYALTY
Reap the benefits of increased customer loyalty
NETWORK
Tap into a strong following on social media and e-networks
Teambuilding
Build strong employee connections by embracing a shared social impact goal
COMMUNITY
Integrate your brand/business within the local communities through a partnership with our organization
A Community By Partnership
Community partnerships are integral to advancing our mission and providing meaningful life experiences to our Warriors. Our partners lend support in every way possible. As our organization has grown and evolved, so too has the number of community partners that support us. We are grateful to each of them for sharing in our vision of community and believing in the voice of our Warriors.
NUMBER OF GUESTS AT THE OK GALA
TOTAL DONORS TO THE OK CLASSIC
TOTAL # OF SPONSORS FOR BOTH EVENTS
% of OK fundraising met by events
Sponsor Special Events
The OK mission was built through connections and funds raised via our special events. Over the years, we have worked to take the financial pressure off of these events, while also aiming to maximize their potential as a forum to connect with our community. We host several marquee annual events, along with many other smaller events throughout the year.
OK GALA
APRIL
SEMI-FORMAL EVENING OUT
With the coming of Spring also comes the OK gala. Watch for the gala each year in April. First-class food and drinks, great live music, and exciting auctions highlight this semi-formal affair.
OK CLASSIC
SEPTEMBER
SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT & FESTIVAL
Each September, OK plays host to a coed 14” softball tournament and festival. In addition to softball, it is a day full of great food, friends, and family fun.
ALL ACCESS PASS
SPRING & FALL
DON’T PASS IT UP
Opportunity Knocks invites you to champion our mission by becoming an Annual All-AccessSponsor. With the All-Access Pass, your sponsorship offers premium recognition at both of our major fundraising events, along with exclusive media perks that enhance your business’s visibility across our extensive Chicagoland supporter network.
Other ways to support
Testimonials
“OK teaches the community that young adults with developmental disabilities are not only a valuable part of community but that the community can learn a lot from the warriors.”
“Working with Opportunity Knocks has benefitted the Forest Preserves by not only helping us get more people outside, but by also helping us rethink how we do our programming.”
2025 FEATURED PARTNERS
PARTNERSHIPSWe believe deeply in the importance of developing and nurturing community partnerships that facilitate collaborative programming and shared spaces, enhancing the integration and interaction between Warriors and the broader community, thereby demonstrating the mutual benefits and essential interdependence of these relationships. Here are a few features of how and with whom we are living those beliefs.
PARTNER PROFILE
OAK PARK APARTMENTS
FROM THE CAMPAIGN TO THE FARM
It was late in the afternoon on Giving Tuesday that we got the call from the office of the Oak Park Apartments. Their team was elated to inform us that they had a surprise contribution of $10,000! We had always enjoyed a great relationship with OP Apts in the...
way of sponsorship of our events. We’ve known the Planeks since we laid down our early roots. Always a great partnership, but this year raised up to the next level.
“Being able to partner with Opportunity Knocks in helping to provide the safe, nurturing, and welcoming environment that it extends to its Warriors is part of our belief in building a stronger, more inclusive community. We try to extend similar comforts to our tenants in making our community a more valuable place to live.
Witnessing first-hand the involvement and participation of the O.K. Warriors is both remarkable and truly rewarding. Seeing them work, participate, and thrive under their guidance and leadership provides us with the motivation to support such an impactful organization that’s making such a difference in the Warriors’ lives, and the lives of those around us.” – Terry Fahey, Oak Park Apartments
The Giving Tuesday love was followed up by them backing the costs – labor and materials – that were needed to establish the waterway access on the new farm site. The OP Apts crew sponsored the whole job, dispatched their crews to do the work and did a perfect job. They did it all with a smile and let us know it was a privilege. We couldn’t be more grateful for the love.
PARTNER PROFILE
EBERT STUDIO
FROM BEHIND THE LENS
The Ebert family has been capturing portraits for more than 100 years, and fourth-generation owner Jeff Ebert is continuing that legacy. This fall, Jeff partnered with Opportunity Knocks to create a 2026 OK Calendar, featuring striking portraits of Warriors from our programs...
He spent many days with our team and countless hours with his own to produce a powerful visual representation of our mission. We are using the calendar as an appreciation piece for our community of supporters. Each month highlights a distinct group of Warriors, key events, and important mission moments. We are deeply grateful for Jeff’s generosity and talent.
PARTNER PROFILE
VILLAGE OF FOREST PARK
FROM VILLAGE HALL
In 2024, we faced a major inflection point when the property housing the Knockout Farm was sold. After a brief period of reflection, we committed to reestablishing the farm in a way that incorporated every lesson learned from the original site. A 15-mile environmental scan led us to a...
remarkable location less than a quarter mile from our program headquarters. We engaged our longstanding partners at Forest Park Village Hall, and their support enabled us to pursue a shared vision for relocating the farm to The Grove—a 2.5-acre site just north of the historic Altenheim, featuring structures suitable for restoration and community use.
Our first year at The Grove operated under a Use of the Public Way agreement while we began work toward a long-term lease. We completed significant groundwork, including the grow area buildout, bed construction, water access improvements, and accessible pathways. Year two promises even greater progress. We are grateful for the Village’s partnership and the strong foundation it has created for the farm’s future.
PARTNER PROFILE
NOT YOUR FATHER’S FOUNDATION
A BOND FORGED FROM FRIENDSHIP
Not Your Father’s Foundation was established by a group of friends that wanted to give back to the community. They were inspired by the philanthropic efforts of their parents and wanted to make an impact themselves. Their goal is to bring people together for causes that are near & dear...
to their hearts, valuable to the community, and fun for everyone.
In 2023 NYFF & OK forged a bond and began a journey of partnership. Along the way of this 3-year journey, this group of good-hearted humans has hosted events in benefit of Opportunity Knocks, raising friends and funds for OK.
It is hard to express the impression this partnership has had on OK. They’ve been all-in on supporting everything we do. Whether putting on their cleats and coming out to play in the OK Classic or getting all dapped up for the gala, the NYFF crew has shown out for Opportunity Knocks at every turn. They’ve sent groups out to the farm to help, groups into OK Programs to volunteer. It really feels like they are embedded. A tangible part of us. – Phil Carmody, President
They have raised more than $125,000 in support of the Warrior Mission. They have volunteered as individuals and as a group in the programs, on the farm and at events. They have also helped us find new staff to join our team, develop creative marketing projects and plug in at every level of the organization! We are so grateful for this incredible partnership and all of the depth of the relationships that have developed over the years. Please join us in appreciating them.
PARTNER PROFILE
ST. IGNATIUS
COLLEGE PREP
JOINING THE PACK
St. Ignatius College Prep is a relatively new but incredibly impactful partner of Opportunity Knocks. In January of last year, we were honored to participate in their pilot Senior Capstone program, which places seniors in immersive volunteer experiences for three weeks in place of traditional classes...
Opportunity Knocks was proud to be one of the first organizations to test this innovative program, and the experience exceeded all expectations. The students were engaged, thoughtful, and deeply supportive of our participants and staff. We are thrilled to continue this partnership as the Capstone program expands to include the entire senior class this year.
PARTNER PROFILE
FENWICK HIGH SCHOOL
FRIENDLY FRIARS
Fenwick High School has been a longstanding and meaningful supporter of Opportunity Knocks through both student volunteers and alumni connections. Several Fenwick alumni are even part of the Opportunity Knocks staff, strengthening the bond between our organizations...
We have had the opportunity to speak directly with Fenwick students about our mission and volunteer opportunities, which has led to a steady stream of passionate and dedicated volunteers. Fenwick students consistently arrive eager to help, quick to connect with participants, and genuinely excited to support the Opportunity Knocks mission. Their kindness, enthusiasm, and commitment make them a valued part of our community.
Let’s Get Connected
We are always evolving in the way we build relationships with our partners. Whether you see something you love on this page and want to get involved with or you have a new idea in mind, please reach out below and we will follow up to engage.
Reach Us
Please contact our Development Director, Susan Mika, for more info.
8020 Madison St.,
River Forest, IL 60305
(708) 252-3299