I was a member of the board of directors for "Rogue Philanthropy". Rogue Philanthropy launched in late 2013 to raise funds for local grassroots non-profits in the Chicago area. Founding member Dave Gebhardt decided to take action after seeing his wife (Denise, "The Arts of Life") struggle to keep one of Chicago’s most innovative vocational programs for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities running.
After realizing that in a downed economy the first thing people cut from their budgets is giving, yet alcohol sales go up, he decided there must be a way to make sense of this reality. The answer was to open Chicago’s first not for profit pub. A “Philanthropub” if you will.
​To fund this idea he has put together a team of service industry professionals to host underground dinners and cocktail parties.
Sadly, as of 2017, Rogue is no longer in operation.
Watch this little video that I had created about Rogue and The Arts of Life.
Denise Fisher, co-founded The Arts of Life, Inc., in 2000, and presently serves as the Executive Director. She has become known and respected in the disability field for her innovative programming, as well as her compassion and advocacy for adults with developmental disabilities. I have known and worked with Denise for many years. She taught me well. Click the logo to see their website.
About "The Arts of Life" - We are people with and without disabilities creating an artistic culture to realize our full potential.
The Arts of Life, Inc. is committed to providing high quality, innovative services for adults with developmental disabilities. The studio focuses on its artists’ needs and strives to exceed expectations. The Arts of Life will continue to be characterized by both dedication to its artists and excellence in the field of developmental disabilities.