The Gilchrist Foundation Awards More Than $1.9 Million in 2023

Every year the Gilchrist Foundation awards millions of dollars in grant money to nonprofit organizations that make a difference in Siouxland. In 2023, the Foundation awarded $1,938,876 in grants to nonprofits committed to supporting the arts, wildlife and conservation and disaster relief.

Supporting The Arts

The Gilchrist Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that work to promote the arts, including painting, sculpture, music and theater, across Siouxland. It’s a core pillar of the Foundation’s mission, which is to carry out the philanthropic interests of the Gilchrist family. The Foundation’s founder, Jocelyn Gilchrist, loved the arts and film and was a supporter throughout her lifetime. As a young woman, Jocelyn frequented The Chicago Symphony and the Chicago Art Institute and enjoyed the theater. She grew a deep fondness for the arts, both live and on the radio.

In 2023 awards were given to organizations that used the money to support art exhibits, children learning the arts, sculptures and many more. For example, the Art Center Association of Sioux City received a $50,000 project grant for 2023-2024 Season of Art exhibits and Vangarde Arts received $5,000 for its Alley Arts Festival. To promote the arts to children, Big Brothers Big Sisters received a $5,000 micro-grant to provide opportunities for kids to participate in the arts.

Funds also went to improve facilities that promote the arts. The Orpheum Theatre Preservation Project received a $90,000 project grant to help replace the stage curtains at the Orpheum Theatre while Western Iowa Tech Community College received a $20,000 project grant for improvements to the WITCC Rocklin Stage.

Grant money also supported music appreciation, including in local schools. Bishop Heeland Catholic High School received a $20,00 project grant for its Spotlight the Band project. Sioux City North High School received a $2,500 micro-grant to support its STARFEST marching band competition. And the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra received $100,000 for the Gilchrist Pop Series.

Supporting Wildlife and Conservation

Parks, wildlife and conservation are also areas of philanthropic interest for the Gilchrist Foundation, just as it was for its founder Jocelyn Gilchrist who loved fishing and visiting wildlife parks and habitats. Protecting wildlife and supporting conservation efforts are the second pillar of the Foundation’s mission. In 2023, the Foundation awarded grants to many organizations dedicated to protecting wildlife and surrounding prairies. Funds went towards allowing the expansion of conversation areas and programs to continue ensuring wildlife, land and waterways are protected.

Camp High Hopes received a $200,000 challenge match for the acquisition of additional land and an aquatic area. Ducks Unlimited received a $100,000 project grant for the Chicoine land acquisition, which will help protect the Big Sioux River. The Izaak Walton League of America received $25,000 for its Missouri River initiative. And the Loess Hills Preservation Society received $7,150 to install Motus wildlife tracking receiving stations at Waubonsie State Park and Willow Lake.

Supporting Disaster Relief

Supporting disaster relief is the third pillar of the Gilchrist Foundation’s mission. Jocelyn was deeply concerned about supporting people in need and was specifically interested in disaster relief. Every year, the Foundation awards the American Red Cross thousands of dollars for statewide and regional relief efforts. In 2023, the Foundation awarded the American Red Cross $150,000 to aid relief efforts for communities affected by flooding in California, tornados and storms that ravaged the southern United States, Hawaii wildfires and Hurricane Idalia.

How the Grant Process Works

The 2024 grant review process opens in March. The Foundation is passionate about supporting the causes that were near and dear to Jocelyn Gilchrist’s heart by awarding four types of grants: project grants, micro-grants, endowment grants and capital campaign grants. Organizations whose missions align with the interests of the Gilchrist Foundation - the arts, wildlife and conservation, public broadcasting and disaster relief - may apply for a Request for Invitation. Organizations have until April 1, 2024 to request an Invitation to Apply. This request is a pre-qualifier and can be submitted online or a PDF can be downloaded and mailed to:

Security National Bank

601 Pierce St.

Sioux City, IA 51101

You can learn more about the entire application process here.