The Gilchrist Foundation Awards for 2022
The Gilchrist Foundation is committed to supporting Siouxland nonprofits and has awarded 63 grants in 2022 totaling more than $1.8 million. Since 1998, the Foundation has awarded grants to local charities whose interests align with that of Jocelyn Gilchrist, who established the Foundation. Those interests include the arts and public broadcasting, wildlife and conservation and disaster relief. Jocelyn died in 2008 and the Foundation continues today to award grants in her name.
The annual grant process begins by submitting a Request for Consideration for Invitation due in April. For 2023 awards, requests are due April 1, 2023. If an invitation is granted, grant applications are due in late June; 2023 grant applications are due June 20, 2023. Awards are announced in October.
The Foundation awards three types of grants: endowment, capital campaign and project grants during the annual grant cycle of April to mid-July. The Foundation also awards micro grants of a maximum of $5,000 throughout the year.
Here are some of our newest recipients for 2022.
In 2022, the Foundation awarded $50,000 to Siouxland Freedom Park as part of its 1:1 Challenge Match awarded in 2021 to use for the design, fabrication and installation of exhibits for the Interpretive Center. The new Brigadier General Bud and Doris Day Interpretive Center in South Sioux City, Neb. is scheduled to open in Fall 2022.
The Family Worship Center Church, located at 1315 Indian Hills Drive in Sioux City, Iowa, was awarded a $46,000 Capital Campaign grant for renovations to create space for an amphitheater with stage, backstage and lighting. The amphitheater is part of the church’s Legacy Project, which is a state-of-the-art kids and youth facility at the Family Worship Center Church.
Green Hollow Center Inc dba Friends of Blackburn State Park
The Foundation awarded a $40,000 Project Grant in 2022 to repair and reinforce the observation deck at Blackburn State Park. Friends of Blackburn State Park (otherwise known as The Green Hollow Center, Inc.) is an Iowa nonprofit that funds special park improvements and educational and community activities hosted at the park.
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center was awarded two grants in 2022, a $35,000 Project Grant for its Shipwreck Outdoor Theatre Project and a $5,000 Micro Grant for a two-day workshop focusing on the history of Lewis and Clark. The Sioux City Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, located along Sioux City’s riverfront area, showcases permanent exhibits about the Corps of Discovery’s time in the present-day Sioux City area from late July to early September 1804.
Siouxland Civic Dance Association
The Foundation awarded a $25,000 Project Grant to the Siouxland Civic Dance Association for Siouxland area dancers to work with professional dancers from American Midwest Ballet. Established by Shirley and Terry Dill, the mission of the organization is to provide high quality dance education and performance opportunities to dancers of the Sioux City area.
Vangarde Arts received a $5,000 Project Grant for the Alley Art Festival. The event showcased art in the alleys between fourth and sixth streets and Pierce and Nebraska streets in downtown Sioux City on Sept. 24, 2022. Led by local promoter Brent Stockton, Vangarde Arts is made up of a dedicated group of volunteers who have invested time and energy into creating a nonprofit center that magically blends visual art with performing art in an open and inviting atmosphere.
The Wayne State Foundation received a $25,000 Capital Campaign grant for the renovation and addition to the Peterson Fine Arts building. The Peterson Fine Arts building, which was constructed in 1963, is undergoing a renovation project to ensure the facilities match the excellence in the school’s programs and set the stage for future generations of student musicians.
The Foundation awarded a $4,700 Micro Grant to the South Dakota school for the purchase of three tower gardens to teach healthy food sourcing. The Dakota Valley School District serves the residents of Dakota Dunes, North Sioux City, Wynstone and the associated rural areas.
Girls Inc. of Sioux City was awarded a $5,000 Micro Grant in 2022 to purchase equipment to create a mini podcast studio. Girls Inc. mentors let girls know it is important to try new things, to keep going and to stand up for themselves and for others.
The Foundation awarded the Crittenton Center a $5,000 Micro Grant to establish an art room with supplies for the Transitional Therapeutic Home, opened in 2021. The Transitional Therapeutic Home meets the needs of the children who need emergency shelter and also provides a trauma-informed environment for employees where training, support and supervision are the corner stones to ensuring a healthy and positive experience for those employed at the home.
Izaak Walton League - McCook Lake
The Izaak Walton League in McCook Lake received a $5,000 Micro Grant to aid in recovering lost habitat for spawning walleye. Since 1936, the McCook Lake Chapter of the Izaak Walton League (Ike’s) has worked to protect the natural resources of McCook Lake and the Siouxland region through several conservation projects.
Saint Gabriel Communications Ltd.
A $1,713 Micro Grant was awarded to Saint Gabriel Communication to aid in bringing in a chalk artist, Maria Loh, to recreate Madonna in the Streets. Saint Gabriel Communications Ltd., dba Siouxland Catholic Radio, is located in the former rectory of St. Boniface Catholic Church in Sioux City.
Northeast Nebraska Senior Citizens Inc.
The Northeast Nebraska Senior Citizens, Inc., was awarded a $5,000 Micro Grant to replace stage carpet and update instruments and musical equipment for Friday night dances.
Dordt University was awarded a $5,000 Micro Grant for its University Theatre Arts program to bring in artist in residence Jason Vande Brake for the production of A Doll’s House. Dordt’s theatre arts program creates an environment in which students can explore and develop their artistic insights and gifts in the art of theatre.
The Foundation awarded the Lake View Foundation a $5,000 Micro Grant for the painting to two murals on buildings on main street in Lake View, Iowa. The Lake View Foundation, established in 2017, is a nonprofit organization that’s focused on connecting people with a common goal of enhancing the quality of life for the citizens of Lake View.
The Siouxland African Association was awarded a $5,000 Micro Grant to showcase African arts, cuisine and music for the 7th annual African Festival. The festival, held on August 32, 2022, celebrates the diversity and culture of Africans in Siouxland.
A $5,000 Micro Grant was awarded to help the Knights of Columbus provide a free family-friendly concert at Olson Cultural Events Center in Le Mars, Iowa. The Knights of Columbus is the world’s largest lay Catholic organization, with more than 1.8 million members around the world.
Sioux City North High School was awarded a $5,000 Micro Grant to aid in the presentation of the Band and Color Guard show, Dia de Muertos. The North High Color Guard is a competitive ensemble that performs alongside the North High Marching Band. Color guard is a unique activity that combines athleticism with equipment work, dance and theatrics.
A $5,000 Micro Grant was awarded to Tolerance Week 2023 for performance of the play, The Diary of Anne Frank, at the Orpheum Theater along with the Sioux City Community Theater. Jerry and Kathy Weiner have been sponsoring the entertainment events of Tolerance Week in Sioux City, Iowa since 2005.
Emerson Veterans Memorial Park
The Foundation awarded a $5,000 Micro Grant for the construction of a memorial park for Northeast Nebraska veterans.
LaunchPAD Children’s Museum was awarded a $5,000 Micro Grant to help transform the performing arts space into a children's theater. LaunchPAD Children’s Museum strives to launch a child’s love of learning through play and discovery to all children in the Siouxland Community.
Friends of Sioux City Police Dept.
Friends of the Sioux City Police Department received $25,000 towards its 1:1 Challenge Match awarded in 2021 for Creating and Celebrating Kindness Through the Arts.
Hinton Community School District
The Hinton Community School District was given a $5,000 Micro Grant to purchase drumline equipment.