Dear Colleagues,
As I begin my first year as President and Executive Director of the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, I reflect on what it means to steward a philanthropic legacy so deeply connected to Chicago—its neighborhoods, its architecture, its identity, and the people and organizations working every day to strengthen it.
This role is both meaningful and personal to me. I had the privilege of knowing Richard Driehaus, I was a past grantee, and I served as a member of the Foundation’s Board. Richard believed that philanthropy should invest in the long-term vitality of communities and enrich daily life. That vision remains steadfast today, and it will continue to guide our work.
I want to recognize the extraordinary leadership of previous President and Executive Director Anne Lazar, who helped guide the Foundation through a significant period of growth and transition, tripling the number of annual grants awarded. She and the team have expanded both the scale and impact of our grantmaking while building the infrastructure needed to support this larger philanthropic portfolio.
It has been a joy to get to know the Foundation’s team and their collective commitment to our mission. One of my priorities is to ensure we continue to build expertise across our program areas while remaining closely connected to the communities we serve. This year, we are working toward that goal by filling two senior program director roles focused on Arts and Culture and the Built Environment. I am thrilled that Lori Dimun, previously president & CEO of the Harris Theater for Music and Dance, will join us this summer to lead our Arts and Culture portfolio, bringing decades of experience across Chicago’s cultural ecosystem. We also extend our gratitude and best wishes to Brad White as he begins his retirement after years of dedication to growing the Foundation’s Built Environment portfolio.
Throughout my career, I have developed a deep love for this city, navigating its neighborhoods and learning about its communities through the people whose lives and work define them. During my twenty-five years at the Chicago Architecture Center, I saw firsthand how design, culture, and public space can shape not only how a city looks, but also how people find community. Initiatives like Open House Chicago and the opening of the new Chicago Architecture Center were grounded in the idea that access to neighborhoods, architecture, and shared spaces help people better understand their city and how they can make a positive impact. That same spirit of curiosity and connection continues to shape how I approach this role.
In our Built Environment work, we are supporting organizations that are advancing community-led development and helping neighborhoods build economic resilience through hyperlocal investment. Organizations like Community Desk Chicago, Duo Development, and the Neighborhood Capital Fund collaborative led by the Chicago Community Trust are activating commercial corridors, developing community spaces, and supporting residents who are shaping the future of their neighborhoods.
Our support for Investigative Journalism reflects a belief that a healthy democracy depends on an informed and engaged public. We recognize that to meet these goals, organizations need long-term, sustained support. Recent multi-year grants to South Side Media Works, Chicago Public Media, Capitol News Illinois, and Better Government Association are among one of the largest journalism investments in the foundation’s history. These organizations commit to producing investigative coverage that informs daily life for Chicagoans and residents across Illinois.
In Arts and Culture, I continue to be inspired by the role artists, cultural leaders, and arts organizations play in bringing people together and strengthening Chicago’s identity as a global cultural city. This spring’s International Jazz Day illustrated how partnerships between organizations and philanthropies can spotlight Chicago and create moments of connection for residents and visitors across the city’s neighborhoods.
Listening and learning will remain central to how we work. We are committed to Richard’s mission and vision, and our grantmaking priorities will remain consistent. At the same time, we want to better understand how communities are evolving, where new opportunities and challenges are emerging, and how philanthropy can continue to support the people doing this important work.
We look forward to continuing to spend time in neighborhoods across Chicago, attending programs and events, and learning directly from grantees and community leaders. We hope you will continue inviting us into your spaces and sharing your work. We love seeing firsthand the impact you are making, understanding the potentials and obstacles you are navigating, and building relationships grounded in partnership, curiosity, and shared purpose.
Warm regards,
Lynn Osmond
