IFF Announces Second Funding Round, Additional $3 Million Awarded to Chicago Cultural Treasures Grantees

CHICAGO, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Administered by FIF, Chicago Cultural Treasures (ChiTreasures) today announced a second round of grants, totaling $3 millionto be distributed to the 40 current ChiTreasures beneficiaries.

Launched in 2021 as a regional component of the Ford Foundation’s American Cultural Treasures and co-created with the Chicago artistic community, ChiTreasures is a race-conscious initiative that aims to strengthen, grow, and preserve organizations whose mission is to enable the creation, preservation, and dissemination of art from BIPOC traditions, leadership, and culture.

The first grant cycle awarded $14 million to 40 BIPOC-led and focused arts and cultural organizations representing a diverse group of art forms, neighborhoods, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and contributions to Chicago history, vibrancy, and identity. These organizations serve as important anchors in neighborhoods, helping to ensure that the experiences and stories of the communities they serve are shared and heard. In addition to funding, grantees received technical assistance to help further support their sustainability, covering topics such as fundraising, board development, marketing communications, financial management, and facilities planning and support. Funding is provided by the Ford Foundation through the American Cultural Treasures; philanthropist MacKenzie Scott; and one Chicago-a collaborative funding project including the Joyce Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Polk Bros. Foundation, the Terra Foundation for American Art, and the Walder Foundation.

“One of the goals of ChiTreasures is to provide grantees with opportunities to achieve financial sustainability – through grants and technical assistance,” said Tara Townsend, president of the IFF social impact accelerator. “Grants and technical assistance have been provided over the past three years, but more is needed. We are delighted to be able to provide another round of funding to these organizations to further support their future.

“Funding for organizations that elevate the traditions and culture of people from historically marginalized backgrounds and disinvested communities has never been enough. We must do more to elevate the organizations that have enriched Chicago for generations,” said Tara MagnerDirector of the MacArthur Foundation’s Chicago Engagement Program, on behalf of the Chicagocollaborative financing based on Chicago donors have committed to supporting that of Chicago “We have a rich arts and culture scene, and this next round of grants gives us the opportunity to continue to do so. »

According to a October 2023 According to a report from Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, recent years have seen a decline in philanthropic, private and public funding for arts and cultural organizations. This second round of funding aims to counter this trend by providing additional support to ChiTreasures’ current 40 recipients and reflects ChiTreasures’ commitment to continuing to support Chicago BIPOC arts and culture scene.

To learn more about Chicago’s Cultural treasures, visit www.chicagosculturaltreasures.org.

ABOUT CHICAGO CULTURAL TREASURES
that of Chicago Cultural treasures is a four-year initiative that aims to build the financial resilience and long-term sustainability of BIPOC arts and cultural organizations through a combination of essential general operational support as well as capacity building and assistance technical.

Administered by IFF, a mission-driven lender, developer and real estate consultant, the initiative launched in winter 2021 with a participatory grantmaking process, including a diverse group of community members, civic leaders and artists whose common denominator is an appreciation for how art and culture are woven into the fabric of community in the Chicagoland area.

The 40 ChiTreasures beneficiaries include:

MEDIA CONTACT
Dana SwinneymyWHY Agency
312-291-1099
(email protected)

SOURCE FFI