Air Out Chicago!

You can help the Chicago Clean Air Resilience Network (Chi-CARN) protect Chicago communities from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke. We are building a Chicago-based lending program for free and low-cost clean indoor air resources, including free N95 masks, borrowable air purifiers, and specialty equipment.

When wildfire smoke invades Windy City lungs, air quality monitors, air purifiers, high-quality respirators, and specialty clean air equipment are often beyond the budgets of the community organizations that need them most. When both outdoor and indoor air are unsafe, organizations must be prepared to provide clean indoor air. Our coalition cares about clean air- and you should, too!

Chi-CARN is building a shared system that makes clean indoor air resources accessible throughout Chicago. Through our partnership with Windy City ToolBank, organizations can borrow clean air equipment instead of purchasing, storing, and maintaining it themselves. In addition to our equipment lending program, Chi-CARN will provide free N95 respirators, PPE, and rapid tests for community distribution.

Your support will help us expand access to clean indoor air resources that protect the health of Chicago communities.

Your Health

Chicago experiences severe air pollution events from wildfire smoke, causing some of the worst air quality index (AQI) readings on Earth. The recent smoke invasion on July 16th, 2026, created suffocating AQI readings of over 500 ppm in some parts of the city, with other parts of the Midwest topping 800 ppm. Under this pollution, outdoor activity is unbearable and people with medical conditions such as asthma go to the hospital. In buildings that are older or have poor ventilation, smoke can build up indoors, making the air quality inside as bad as it is outside or worse!

Public access to air purifiers, N95 masks, and other equipment that can protect people from wildfire smoke remains fragmented and unaffordable for many. Chi-CARN manages the purchasing, storing, and maintenance of clean air equipment for the communities and organizations who need these resources.

Your City

Through Chi-CARN, organizations can access a citywide network providing clean air resources:

High-efficiency air purifiers
Indoor air quality monitors
PortaCount mask fit testing equipment
Far-UVC germicidal lights
HEPA-filtered cleaning equipment
Dehumidifiers and air scrubbers
Free N95 respirators, rapid tests, and other personal protective equipment

Through Windy City ToolBank's proven lending model, organizations can access equipment when they need it, without the financial burden of purchasing and maintaining it themselves.

Your Impact

Chi-CARN is launching through grassroots support, in-kind donations, and the generosity of our coalition partners.

Your donation helps us grow this community resource by:

Expanding our lending inventory
Covering shipping and transport costs
Supporting logistics and operations

Boosting our fundraiser, joining our mailing list, or signing up for our program as a nonprofit expands clean air impact.

About Chi-CARN

The Chicago Clean Air Resilience Network is a coalition led by Air Support Project and co-founded with Public Health Action Network (PHAN), SOS, and Windy City ToolBank.

Together, we care about the clean air in your community by ensuring every nonprofit, school, faith community, library, civic organization, mutual aid group, and neighborhood organization has equitable access to clean air tools.

Thank you for helping us build a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient Chicago.

Our Vision

We help trusted community organizations prepare for air quality emergencies before they happen.

As Chi-CARN grows, some of our potential future directions include:

Expanding our lending locations for portable equipment to local neighborhood sites
Creating healthier indoor environments in community buildings during smoke events and other air quality emergencies.
Hosting community events such as DIY air purifier workshops and mask fitting clinics.
Offering long-term classroom air purifier lending for Chicago educators..
Developing a replicable model for other communities in the ToolBank USA network.

Air Out Chicago!

Help Build The Chicago Clean Air Resilience Network