The Gilchrist Foundation’s Year-In-Review
The Gilchrist Foundation made a huge impact on area nonprofit organizations in 2021. The Foundation awarded more than $1.7 million in grants, about $500,000 more than in 2020, to nonprofit organizations in and around Siouxland with ties to the arts and public broadcasting, wildlife and conservation and disaster relief. The selected nonprofits were invited to submit applications for the Foundation’s endowment, capital campaign and project grants during the annual grant cycle of April to mid-July. The Foundation also awarded multiple micro grants, which give of a maximum of $5,000, throughout the year.
Here are just some of the many well-deserved awards the Gilchrist Foundation gave out in 2021.
SUPPORTING THE ARTS
The Gilchrist Foundation’s founder, Jocelyn Gilchrist, loved the arts and film and was a supporter throughout her lifetime. In 2021, awards were given to organizations that used the money to upgrade their equipment and infrastructure during continuous hiatuses due to the pandemic, while others used the money to provide live or in-person performances for event-starved audiences.
Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools were awarded a micro grant of $1,951 to purchase new instruments, speakers and curriculum. The Le Mars Arts Council was given a micro grant of $2,864 to enhance technology and security infrastructure. Flux Dance Company was awarded a $25,000 project grant to build an outdoor stage. Little Red Hen Theatre was given a $5,000 project grant that funded lighting.
Wakefield Progressive was given a $5,000 micro grant for an outdoor music concert. Siouxland Artists received a $5,000 micro grant for an artist’s workshop. Morningside College received $5,000 for the School of Visual and Performance Art’s production of a Midsummer Night’s Dream. And the Sioux City Art Center was awarded $32,700 for the annual Art Splash event.
SUPPORTING WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION
Parks, wildlife and conservation are also areas of philanthropic interest for the Gilchrist Foundation, as well as its founder Jocelyn Gilchrist. In 2021, the Foundation awarded grants to many organizations dedicated to protecting wildlife and surrounding prairies. The chosen organizations used their awards to improve educational and outdoor experiences for visitors.
The City of Soldier was awarded a $5,000 micro grant to create green space along 1st Street in Solder, Iowa. The City of Moorhead was awarded a $5,000 micro grant to replace the fence at the park and replace picnic tables. Pottawattamie Conversation Board received a $3,000 micro grant for a series of adult classes at the Hitchcock Nature Center. Mammoth Site of Hot Springs South Dakota, Inc. was given $10,000 to create botany and geology walkways. And the Wild Sheep Foundation received $5,000 for its conservation project that includes capture, tracking and analysis of bighorn sheep.
Some larger awards were given as well. Sioux City Parks and Rec received a $100,000 project grant for phase 2 of the Chris Larsen Park Riverfront Development. Camp High Hopes was awarded $144,200 of the $150,000 challenge match it received in 2020 which was for the organization’s Hopes and Smiles Campaign and the activity rooms for Nature Education and Arts and Crafts. South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation received a $60,000 project grant for the Adams Homestead Cultural and Natural History Interpretation design project. And Harrison County Conservation Board received a $100,000 project grant for the construction phase of the Willow Lake Nature Center.
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. Two $25,000 disaster grants were given in 2021, one was for the general relief fund and the other to help battle Minnesota wildfires. The Foundation also awarded the Iowa Public Television Foundation a $25,000 project grant for the program, Iowa’s Wild Weather: Drought and Funding.
Congratulations to these well-deserving 2021 award recipients. The 2022 grant review process opens in March. Organizations whose missions align with the interests of the Gilchrist Foundation may apply for a Request for Invitation.