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Active Grants

The Foundation's Special Initiatives Program supports nonprofit organizations conducting programs and campaigns that contribute to the Foundation's areas of interest. Generally, this is the only program at the Foundation to award capital and endowment grants, which make up approximately 75 percent of our Special Initiatives Program investments over the last ten years. With an annual budget of approximately $8 million, the program makes grants ranging in size from $50,000 to $10,000,000, with 95 percent of the dollars directed to institutions in the Chicago region. Please note, grants that are made for endowment are in perpetuity and do not have an end date.

Total Current Grants: $19,149,875
 
Number of nonprofits currently receiving grants: 14
Total Chicago: $16,452,875
Total Non Chicago: $2,697,000
 
Civic Institutions
 
Chicago Public Education Fund, Chicago, IL
www.cpef.org
$1,000,000
For Leadership Fund III to improve school leadership and student achievement
Effective: 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2012


The Renaissance Schools Fund, Chicago, IL
www.rsfchicago.org
$1,000,000
For two new Renaissance 2010 schools (reallocated for evaluation and support of one school as of 7/06)
Effective: 9/14/2004 - 12/31/2010


Cultural Institutions
 
Chicago Horticultural Society/Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL
www.chicagobotanic.org
$400,000
For a Children's Learning Center and Growing Garden
Effective: 1/1/2007 - 12/31/2010


Lincoln Park Zoological Society, Chicago, IL
www.lpzoo.com
$500,000
For restoration of the south pond and environmental education programs
Effective: 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2010


Ravinia Festival Association, Highland Park, IL
www.ravinia.org
$500,000
For a ten-year Fund for Artistic Initiatives as part of the Centennial Campaign
Effective: 12/7/2004 - 12/31/2014


Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago, IL
www.chicagoshakes.com
$500,000
For a ten-year fund to create a Chicago Shakespeare Trust for artistic productions
Effective: 12/7/2004 - 12/31/2014


Educational Institutions
 
Health Institutions
 
Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL
www.childrensmemorial.org
$5,000,000
For the campaign to support the new hospital in Streeterville
Effective: 6/1/2007 - 6/30/2012


Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
www.rush.edu
$7,500,000
For support of the Center for Advanced Emergency Response as part of the capital campaign
Effective: 12/7/2004 - 12/31/2012


Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL
www.rush.edu
$472,875
For a preschool social emotional learning initiative at Rush Neurobehavioral Center
Effective: 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2010


Social Service Institutions
 
Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired, Chicago, IL
www.thechicagolighthouse.org
$480,000
For support of the Birth to Three program and adaptive technology services for youth over three years
Effective: 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2010


Have Dreams, Park Ridge, IL
www.havedreams.org
$500,000
For expansion of its Communication and Independent Life Skills program for children with autism
Effective: 1/1/2008 - 12/31/2011


Non-Chicago Institutions
 
The Advertising Council, Inc., New York, NY
www.adcouncil.org
$150,000
For an emergency preparedness campaign and general support over three years
Effective: 5/23/2007 - 5/23/2010


Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
www.si.edu
$750,000
For construction of the new Star-Spangled Banner Gallery
Effective: 1/1/2007 - 12/31/2010


Michigan State University College of Communication Arts & Sciences, East Lansing, MI
www.cas.msu.edu
$397,000
For preservation and digitization of a collection of Chicago Tribune newspapers
Effective: 1/1/2008 - 6/30/2010