Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University received a $500,000 grant to support the restoration of the atrium and cleaning of the skylight that hovers above the rear of the main floor of the theatre. Plans call for backlighting the skylight, significant electrical work, and painting that will restore the historic stenciling in the atrium. This work will enhance the visitor experience and help to ensure the success of the theatre.
Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) was awarded a $1,000,000 grant to establish the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation Youth Learning Program to help expand existing youth education programs. While all programs will be impacted by the gift, CAC is focused on expanding its work with pre-teen and early/teen youth, as well as building relationships with City Colleges to increase young adult exposure to careers in architecture, engineering, construction, and design.
Chicago Parks Foundation was awarded a grant of $425,500 to rehabilitate the four baseball fields at Brainerd Park bounded by 91st Street on the north, Racine Avenue on the east, 92nd Street on the south, and Throop Street on the west. This follows a smaller grant in 2023 to repair some of the pathways and install benches in the park. Brainerd Park is just a few blocks from the boyhood home of our founder, Richard H. Driehaus.
Growing Home received a $250,000 planning grant to complete documentation for the expansion of its Wood Street South Campus that will add 74,000 square feet of new growing and processing space and increase public access to urban farming. The campus is adjacent to the planned 1.7 mile Englewood Nature Trail, which is expected to begin development later this year.
Inner-City Muslim Action Network(IMAN) was awarded a grant of $626,000 to support the development of Go Green Griot Plaza on the southwest corner of 63rd Street and Racine Avenue in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. The former vacant lot has been transformed into a beautiful community gathering spot and outdoor artistic and cultural venue.
South Side Community Art Center received a $250,000 planning grant to complete architecture and engineering documentation for the rehabilitation and expansion of its historic home at 3831 South Michigan Avenue in Bronzeville. Plans include historically accurate rehabilitation of the existing building, as well as installation of an elevator, new space for exhibitions and programming, and climate-controlled archival storage.