The Gilchrist Foundation Awards More Than $1.8 Million in 2022
Every year the Gilchrist Foundation awards millions of dollars in grant money to nonprofit organizations that make a difference in Siouxland. In 2022, the Foundation awarded $1,861,913 in grants to nonprofits committed to supporting the arts, wildlife and conservation and disaster relief.
Supporting The Arts
The Gilchrist 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 2022, awards were given to organizations that used the money to renovate their spaces, upgrade their equipment and infrastructure and offer workshops that support the arts.
Briar Cliff University was awarded a $9,700 project grant to commission a mural in Heelan Hall. The City of Sioux City was awarded a $40,000 project grant for a mural celebrating the history of music for the West 7th Street corridor public art project. One Siouxland received a $25,000 project grant for the installation of Kindness bubbles around Siouxland.
The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center was awarded a $35,000 project grant for the development of its Shipwreck outdoor theatre project. And once again the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra was awarded a $175,000 project grant for the Gilchrist Pop Series and the SCSO Music Center. 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.
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 2022, 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.
Green Hollow Center Inc dba Friends of Blackburn State Park was awarded a $40,000 Project Grant in 2022 to repair and reinforce the observation deck at Blackburn State Park. The Izaak Walton League in McCook Lake received a $5,000 Micro Grant to aid in recovering lost habitat for spawning walleye. The Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation was awarded a $150,000 project grant for the purchase of 1,700 acres of Loess Hills prairie and woodland. And the Nature Conservancy in Iowa received a $150,000 project grant to protect and restore 156 aces of the Joy Hollow Girl Scout Camp.
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. The American Red Cross received a $25,000 disaster grant for the Kentucky Flooding Fund, a $75,000 disaster grant for Hurricane Ian aid and a $25,000 disaster grant for 2022 Alaska storms.
How the Grant Process Works
The 2023 grant review process opens in March. The Foundation is passionate to support 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, 2023 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.