CHICAGO, IL — A Safe Haven Foundation is proud to announce that it has been selected as a 2026 Philanthropy Award recipient by the Make It Better Foundation, joining a distinguished cohort of 43 nonprofit organizations recognized for excellence, leadership, scalability, and lasting impact.
The award includes a $50,000 grant and a yearlong storytelling partnership designed to amplify the voices and missions of high-performing nonprofits across the region.
“This award is not just a celebration of our past impact—it’s a powerful investment in what comes next,” said Mark Mulroe, President of A Safe Haven Foundation. “We are honored to partner with the Make It Better Foundation to tell the stories that matter most: stories of transformation, dignity, and the collective work of creating lasting solutions to homelessness and poverty.”
As part of the storytelling partnership, Make It Better Foundation will publish a feature story in Spring 2026 highlighting A Safe Haven Landscaping, one of the Foundation’s award-winning social enterprises.
A Safe Haven Landscaping’s social enterprise not only enhances the beauty of Chicago but symbolizes the transformation we create in the lives of individuals overcoming homelessness. Every November, our trainees plant over 180,000 tulip bulbs along Michigan Avenue, and each spring, these tulips bloom as a powerful metaphor for the growth and renewal in the lives of those we serve. The story will spotlight a graduate whose journey from crisis to self-sufficiency mirrors the blooming tulips they help plant. Barry Butler Photography’s iconic images will accompany the story, capturing the emotional and visual power of this transformation.
The Make It Better Foundation, founded by venture philanthropist Susan B. Noyes, has been a long-standing champion of A Safe Haven’s mission. Over the past 10 years, this partnership has grown through shared values and a mutual commitment to elevating organizations that create real, measurable change in the communities they serve.
“Through this recognition, we aim not only to honor your achievements, but to amplify your voice, expand your reach, and support your ability to build stronger communities and a better world—one story, one organization at a time,” said Noyes in the official award announcement
In addition to the feature story, the award includes inclusion in Make It Better Foundation’s Guide to Giving, Giving Tuesday collaborations, social media storytelling, a matching grant campaign in Fall 2026, and opportunities to grow ASHF’s reach through shared platforms and events.
A Safe Haven Foundation extends its deepest thanks to Susan Noyes, the Make It Better Foundation team, and the 2026 Academy of Judges, including philanthropic leaders from Morgan Stanley, William Blair, Yahoo, Burston Astor Advisors, and more.
We also thank the generous sponsors and strategic partners supporting this year’s investments in nonprofit storytelling.
“We also want to congratulate all 43 nonprofits recognized this year,” said Mulroe. “It’s an honor to stand alongside so many organizations working to move our region forward with creativity, compassion, and measurable results.”
Learn more about the 2026 Philanthropy Awards and the full list of honorees at: https://better.net/philanthropy/2026-philanthropy-awards-winners
About A Safe Haven Foundation
A Safe Haven Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals in crisis. By joining our efforts, you become part of a powerful force for change, impacting lives and the fabric of our city, turning setbacks into stories of resilience, hope, and opportunity.
About Make It Better Foundation
The Make It Better Foundation identifies, amplifies, and supports outstanding nonprofits by leveraging media, philanthropy, and storytelling. Its annual Philanthropy Awards recognize organizations that exemplify innovation, leadership, collaboration, and impact across sectors and communities.
