WGN: Content With a Conscience
WGN Spotlight Chicago: Local Missions
Content With a Conscience
WGN Spotlight Chicago serves as the trusted guide to the Local Missions that are making a real difference throughout the area.
WGN's commitment to "Content With a Conscience" shines a heartfelt spotlight on Chicago’s inspiring and unique nonprofits, while highlighting these vital community efforts that help the city thrive.
The Board
Shark Tank for Nonprofits
The Board: Chicago revolutionizes philanthropy and entertainment and airing exclusively on WGN.
Each episode features 4 nonprofits presenting their missions, financial needs and strategic goals to a rotating panel of influential donors.
"Local Missions" Segment Format
Official Sponsor
Official Sponsor
Official Sponsor
Each Local Missions sponsor invests $15,000 per segment ($50,000 for 4 episodes) with $1,500 of that directly donated to each featured nonprofit and awarded at the end of each segment.
Sponsor's name and logos are integrated in all of the digital content.
Open
Official Sponsor
Official Sponsor
Cold Open: Animation and Titles
Quick-cut montage: scenes of the nonprofits in action (community, volunteers, events).
Voiceover: "WGN Spotlight Chicago presents Local Missions, proving how one city, united in purpose, can change lives together."
Host
Official Sponsor
Interview
- On location, introduces organization
- Describe mission
- Meets staff and spokesperson
- Shows highlights of organization's work
Interview
Official Sponsor
Interview
One-on-one with the spokesperson
- Origin story
- Mission & values
- Who they serve
- Measurable impact
- Optional short cutaways to photos or archive footage.
Community Voices
Community Voices
Community Voices
- Soundbites from beneficiaries, volunteers and staff.
- Quotes or testimonials that speak to the nonprofit’s importance.
- Emotional or transformational story from a real person served.
Participation
Community Voices
Community Voices
- Host joins in on an activity: packing boxes, helping at a youth event, prepping food.
- Shows the nonprofit’s work in real-time and humanizes the effort.
- Nonprofit is handed sponsor's donation
Call to Action
Community Voices
Call to Action
- Host asks: “How can people help?”
- Options: Donate, volunteer, attend event, etc.
- On-screen QR code & link for immediate action.
- Text overlay with contact info/social handles.
- Close animation
Follow Up
Community Voices
Call to Action
- Sponsors have opportunities to join in additional activations
- Viewers are encouraged to continue their support through a dedicated landing page or QR code linked in episode promos.
- Produce “Where Are They Now?” follow-up segments
The Board: Overview
Host
Exclusivity
Donors
The host serves as the bridge between the nonprofits, donors and audience—guiding the conversation, asking the tough questions and making sure every mission is clearly understood and every voice is heard.
Donors
Exclusivity
Donors
4 "Board Members" personally contribute $5,000 to a $20,000 Fund, ensuring their donation has a direct and meaningful impact.
Board Members are local entrepreneurs, business leaders, artists, athletes and changemakers who believe in giving back to their communities.
Nonprofits
Exclusivity
Exclusivity
Each week, 4 nonprofit organizations present their mission to a panel of engaged donors.
The Board awards 1 charity $17,000 while the participating nonprofits receive $1,000 each.
Exclusivity
Exclusivity
Exclusivity
The Board: Chicago is a WGN-exclusive series, with each full episode and all supporting content available only through WGN’s broadcast and official digital platforms.
No syndication, no streaming, no third-party platforms—The Board: Chicago lives only on WGN.
Show Format
Segments
Introductions
Introductions
A - Intros
B - Non Profit #1
C - Non Profit #2
D - Non Profit #3
E - Non Profit #4
F - Deliberation
G - Final Questions
H - Decision
Introductions
Introductions
Introductions
Board Members:
- Accomplishments
- Philanthropy
- Ultimate Charitable Goal
Nonprofits:
- Mission
- History
- Needs
- Financial Transparency
- Goals
Gifting Meter
Introductions
Gifting Meter
Viewers can make an impact in real-time with live donation tracking.
The Gifting Meter shows exactly how much support each nonprofit is receiving throughout the show.
Deliberation
Deliberation
Gifting Meter
- Candid conversations about the missions, impact and stories.
- Highlights diverse perspectives and personal connections
- Includes subtle sponsor integration with logo placement and branded visuals.
- Show how the board carefully evaluates each nonprofit.
- Sets the stage for the upcoming donation announcement.
Decision
Deliberation
Decision
- Captures the moment board members announce their decision.
- Showcases thoughtful reasoning behind the allocation of donations.
- Features genuine reactions and reflections from board members on their choices.
- Creates an emotional connection with viewers, emphasizing the difference their support makes.
- Leads into philanthropic activations and calls to action for audience engagement.
Close
Deliberation
Decision
- Recaps the episode’s highlights and key nonprofit stories.
- Reinforces the presenting sponsor’s commitment.
- Presents a heartfelt thank-you from the host, board members and nonprofits.
- Encourages viewers to take action, donate, volunteer or learn more via provided links or QR codes.
- Displays final sponsor logos and “Presented by” branding to maximize visibility.
Non Profit Partners
We utilize cookies!
We create a better user experience with the information we obtain!