Make It Better Media Group

What Make It Better Media Group does

Make It Better Media Group is a privately held, donation- and subscription-supported nonprofit media organization founded in 2006 by Susan B. Noyes and headquartered in Wilmette, Illinois, north of Chicago. It operates as Make It Better Foundation and publishes Better Magazine at better.net, a digital editorial platform spanning nine verticals: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Health, Human Services, Life, Mental Health, Philanthropy, and Social Justice. Supporting products include the Better Letter configurable email newsletter, MIBTV video content platform, the Better Makers philanthropic storytelling program, the You Said It community submission program, and the $10K+ Matching Grant Campaigns.

The organization's core business model combines free and subscription-based digital content distribution with annual Philanthropy Awards programming that identifies, elevates, and amplifies high-impact nonprofits through national platform visibility. Its go-to-market is content-led: editorial coverage drives audience engagement, which is then monetized indirectly through donations, event sponsorships, and gala fundraising tied to partner nonprofits such as the Alzheimer's Association, Joffrey Ballet, The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Rush University Road Home Program, and A Safe Haven Foundation. The technology stack is conventional — a WordPress-style CMS, email newsletter delivery, and video hosting — with no proprietary AI/ML components disclosed.

The company serves three primary constituencies: general-public readers interested in purposeful living content, nonprofit organizations seeking visibility and grant funding, and philanthropic donors seeking vetted giving opportunities. The 11-50 employee headcount and 20-year operating history indicate a mature, community-anchored nonprofit media operation with regional depth in the Chicago area and an aspirational national footprint through its awards programming.

Name

Make It Better Media Group

Legal name

Make It Better Foundation

Website

https://better.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Make It Better Media Group is a Chicago-anchored nonprofit media organization that publishes Better Magazine and runs the annual Philanthropy Awards program, connecting readers, high-impact nonprofits, and donors across nine editorial verticals including arts, health, mental health, and social justice.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Publishing and Media

NAICS

Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321)

SIC

Periodicals: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2721), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Culture & Literary Magazines (MPAJAEAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Newsletter Publishing Platforms (MPACAIAA), Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE), Investigative & Nonprofit News Organizations (MPAJADAF)

Keywords

• Digital media publishing
• Editorial journalism
• Philanthropy awards
• Nonprofit media
• Community storytelling

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Philanthropy Support: The Make It Better Foundation operates as a philanthropic organization that funds its operations through donations, with donors supporting the mission of empowering impactful nonprofits and community engagement.
2. Subscription Revenue: Better Magazine offers subscription options for readers seeking regular access to content, tips, trends and resources for living with greater purpose.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Make It Better Media Group publishes Better Magazine, a digital editorial publication at better.net covering arts & culture, education, environment, health, mental health, philanthropy, and social justice. The group operates the Better Letter email newsletter, MIBTV video platform, and the Make It Better Foundation's Philanthropy Awards program, which identifies, elevates, and amplifies high-impact nonprofits through annual recognition, matching grants, and community storytelling.

Product overview

Make It Better Media Group operates as a unified media platform organized around a flagship digital publication (Better Magazine) and several integrated programs. The core product is Better Magazine at better.net, covering nine editorial verticals: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Health, Human Services, Life, Mental Health, Philanthropy, and Social Justice. Supporting the magazine are the Better Letter Email Newsletter (a topic-preference-based subscription delivery), MIBTV (a video content platform for original video series and event coverage), and the Philanthropy Awards Program — a keystone initiative that identifies and amplifies high-impact nonprofits, including the You Said It community submission program and $10K+ Matching Grant Campaigns. Better Makers extends coverage to philanthropic events and fundraising outcomes, tying the content ecosystem back to the Foundation's grant-making mission.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• You Said It: Community submission program allowing readers to share passion and help nonprofits earn grants
• Better Makers
• $10K+ Matching Grant Campaigns
• Philanthropy Awards

Products and services

• Better Magazine

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and notable.

• Lollapalooza/C3 PresentsmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Lollapalooza and C3 Presents announced a $1,125,000 investment over three years to continue partnership with Ingenuity supporting Chicago Public Schools arts education. Builds on $3.3 million total committed through Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund, with 182 grants totaling $1,780,000 awarded to 99 Chicago Public Schools since 2021-22 school year.
• IngenuitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIngenuity is a nonprofit that partners with Chicago Public Schools and the city of Chicago to expand access to quality arts education. The organization increases arts education access, quality, and equity by collecting data and addressing systemwide disparities.
• Chicago Public SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChicago Public Schools (CPS) is the primary education partner for arts education initiatives through the Ingenuity partnership, benefiting from Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund grants.
• The Family Institute at Northwestern UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Family Institute at Northwestern University is a 2026 Philanthropy Award Winner and key mental health partner. Make It Better collaborates with the Institute on mental health content, expert conversations, and the Gratitude Gala fundraising event that raised nearly $260,000.
• Rush University Road Home ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRush University's Road Home Program is a 2026 Philanthropy Award Winner providing veterans with mental health services and specialized PTSD treatment. Partners with A Safe Haven Foundation to provide integrated housing and mental health care for veterans.
• A Safe Haven FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA Safe Haven Foundation is a 2026 Philanthropy Award Winner operating veteran housing facilities including 90 units in Chicago and 75 units in Hobart, Indiana. Partners with Rush University Road Home Program for integrated veteran support.
• Vital ImpactsnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerVital Impacts is a 2026 Philanthropy Award Winner - a women-led nonprofit that harnesses the power of art and storytelling to support community-based conservation efforts. Awarded $50,000 in environmental fellowships.
• Alzheimer's AssociationnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlzheimer's Association is a 2026 Philanthropy Award Winner. Make It Better partnership has helped raise record-breaking amounts including $640,000 at the Power of Purple Luncheon for Alzheimer's and dementia care, support, and research.
• American Red Cross of Greater ChicagonotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmerican Red Cross of Greater Chicago is a grant partner. Make It Better Foundation has supported Red Cross Heroes Breakfast events and matching grant campaigns, contributing to events raising over $1.6 million.
• Joffrey BalletcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoffrey Ballet is a 2026 Philanthropy Award Winner and Chicago cultural institution since 1995. The organization has built a culture of global partnership and community initiatives supported through Make It Better Foundation recognition.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Inside Philanthropy: Digital publication covering philanthropy, foundations, and nonprofit giving. Directly comparable as a media platform whose editorial mission centers on identifying and elevating high-impact nonprofits and donors.
• The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Print and digital publication serving the nonprofit and philanthropic sector with news, opinion, and data. Closely comparable as a long-running nonprofit-focused media outlet with national scope and donor-facing content.
• The Nonprofit Times: Trade publication for nonprofit management professionals covering fundraising, operations, and leadership. Comparable as a business-media brand serving the nonprofit ecosystem with editorial and audience monetization.
• Observer: Digital lifestyle publication covering culture, real estate, philanthropy, and power. Comparable as a multi-vertical lifestyle magazine with digital-first distribution and editorial-led audience engagement.

Regional players

• Chicago Magazine: Regional lifestyle and city magazine covering Chicago-area dining, culture, news, and events. Directly comparable as a Chicago-anchored multi-vertical lifestyle publication with subscription and advertising revenue.
• Crain's Chicago Business: Chicago-focused business news publication serving executives, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders. Comparable as a long-running regional media brand monetized through subscriptions, events, and sponsored content.

Emerging players

• Idealist: Online nonprofit directory and community connecting job seekers, volunteers, and donors to organizations. Comparable as a digital platform serving nonprofit audiences and facilitating engagement between donors, volunteers, and mission-driven organizations.

Broad incumbents

• Vox Media: Large digital media holding company operating multiple editorial brands across verticals including culture, food, and wellness. Comparable as a multi-brand digital publisher monetizing through advertising, newsletters, and events.
• Dotdash Meredith: Major digital and print publisher operating consumer lifestyle brands including health, food, and home. Comparable as a scaled multi-vertical lifestyle publisher competing for advertiser and reader attention in similar categories.

Others

• Candid (formerly Foundation Center + GuideStar): Nonprofit information services organization providing data on foundations, grants, and nonprofit organizations. Comparable as an adjacent infrastructure player serving the same nonprofit ecosystem with discovery, transparency, and research tools used by donors and grantmakers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/chicagobetter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/betterchicago

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Make It Better Media Group