NORTHBROOK, ILL. — The Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation will host its marquee annual networking and fundraising dinner on Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Hilton Chicago located at 720 S. Michigan Ave. The goal for the foundation’s signature event — which benefits gastrointestinal cancer research programs at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center within Northwestern Medical Center — is to raise more than $750,000 through sponsorships (see list of sponsors below), ticket sales and other program opportunities.
Now in its 27th year, the annual dinner is expected to attract more than 700 professionals from the commercial real estate and related industries, the business community, as well as cancer medicine and research practitioners from the Chicago area, including the Lurie Cancer Center. The overarching goal of the foundation is to make a difference in the lives of those diagnosed with any one of nine gastrointestinal cancers and to increase the rate and length of survivorship.
“As we celebrate and honor survivors and caregivers, we recognize the critical importance of cancer research and the role that individuals and the private sector play in today’s world,” says Peter Eisenberg, president of the board of directors of the Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation headquartered in Northbrook, Ill. “With widening gaps in grants and government funding, the need for charitable organizations, foundations, businesses and individuals to meet the moment cannot be emphasized enough.”
In addition to the dinner and program, the gala begins with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m. and ends with a dessert reception offering networking opportunities.
“This year’s event embraces and celebrates survivors and caregivers for all they experience on their individual journeys from diagnosis through treatment,” says Kristen Young, executive director of the Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation. “We also honor the memory of those whose lives and diagnoses have motivated people in Chicago and across the country to support cancer research efforts funded by groups like the Eisenberg Foundation.”
A longtime retail developer and prominent figure in the Chicagoland commercial real estate community, Harold “Hal” Eisenberg died in 1999 at age 53 just two weeks after being diagnosed with gastrointestinal cancer. Shortly thereafter, his friends and family across Chicagoland established the Harold E. Eisenberg Foundation to fight the cancers that took his life and continue his legacy as a mentor, leader and educator in the commercial real estate industry.
Chairing the 2026 annual dinner are Harold Francke, partner with law firm Meltzer Purtill & Steele LLC; and Chris Malencek, principal and design management leader at architecture firm Studio GC.
Media and marketing-related sponsors include Bisnow Media, ConnectCRE, France Media, RE journals, and Open Slate Communications.
Sponsorship and partner opportunities remain available, ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. In addition to demonstrating support for cancer research and real estate education, benefits of sponsorship include tables at the dinner and various forms of recognition in pre-, day-of- and post-event marketing. Further sponsorship information is available on the Eisenberg Foundation’s annual dinner website at the following website: https://eisenbergfoundation.org/event/annual-dinner/. Visitors to the website may also purchase individual tickets and full tables to support the foundation.
A parallel path for the foundation is to develop future generations of real estate professionals through various educational programs at the high school as well as college and university levels. In over 25 years, this path has produced more than 2,200 mentorships (led by more than 200 mentors); 2,500 Career Day and Real Bright Summit attendees; 1,250 participants in the Real Estate Challenge (annual case competition) launched in 2011; and the granting of over $700,000 in scholarships to more than 50 real estate scholars.
As of Oct. 1, the firms sponsoring the dinner include:
Iron Ridge Partners; Colliers Mortgage; Imperial Realty; MPS Law; Elrod Friedman; Old Second National Bank; Pine Tree; COMAR Properties; FGMK; Greenberg Traurig LLP; Camburus & Theodore; Mid-America; Higgins & Brancheau; Schain Banks Kenny & Schwartz; CBRE/The Mahoney Family; Northmarq; Marcus & Millichap; The Wolcott Group; Studio GC; Cababan Rubin & Mayberry; ICI Builders; Related MDW / Related Digital; Harrison LLP; Blue Star Properties; Northpond Partners; DLA Piper; Topography; Wintrust; Busey Bank; Becker Gurian; Cullinan Properties; France Media; CIBC; NAI Hiffman; Croke Fairchild Duarte Beres; Belgravia; Bixby Bridge Capital; Beal Properties; Hulina Family LLC; Eber CRE; Associated Bank; Farpoint Development; SparrowHawk; CRG; Optima; Chicago Title; STORE Capital; Green Courte; US National Title/Stewart Title; Pan American Bank & Trust; and Patzik, Frank & Somotny.