McCORMICK TRIBUNE FOUNDATION’S COMMUNITIES PROGRAM AWARDS MORE THAN $9.3 MILLION NATIONWIDE
Media Contact:
Pegeen Hopkins
Director of Communications
(312) 222-5022
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CHICAGO, February 23, 2005
The McCormick Tribune Foundation announced that it will provide more than $9.3 million during the first quarter of 2005 to local and national organizations as part of the foundation’s communities program. Nearly $3 million of that amount will go to Chicago-area organizations. The grants are part of the foundation’s 50th anniversary celebration and will serve various organizations in the Chicagoland area.
“Our Chicago-area partners continue to be leaders in the Communities Program’s grantmaking,” said Richard A. Behrenhausen, president of the Foundation. “This quarter we will make significant grants in the areas of hunger and youth recreation.”
Targeting Chicago area hunger relief, the McCormick Tribune Foundation provided significant grants to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Northern Illinois Food Bank. Another grant to Vital Bridges, NEP, Inc. will fund a food and nutrition program. These three agencies combined reach more than half a million hungry children and families throughout Chicago, through thousands of local food providers.
The foundation also awarded substantial funding to the Chicago Park District and the Union League Boys and Girls Club for baseball programs. These grants given locally support the foundation’s initiative to nationally fund children’s summer camps and athletic programs, many of which specifically benefit inner city or handicapped youth.
Communities grants in Chicago included:
- Metropolitan Family Services ($363,000)
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Greater Illinois Chapter ($300,000)
- Chicago Park District ($222,000)
- Greater Chicago Food Depository ($200,000)
- Northern Illinois Food Bank ($200,000)
- Vital Bridges, NFP, Inc. ($150,000)
- Union League Boys and Girls Club ($70,000)
- Boys and Girls Club of Chicago ($56,000)
About the McCormick Tribune Foundation
The McCormick Tribune Foundation is one of the nation’s largest charitable organizations, with combined assets of close to $2 billion. In 2004 the foundation approved the distribution of more than $109 million to invest in communities, address human needs and promote the ideals of a democratic society through innovative partnerships. The foundation, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2005, was first established as a charitable trust upon the death of Col. Robert R. McCormick, longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune.
The foundation provides assistance in four program areas — communities, education, journalism and citizenship — and funds a special initiatives program. Through its grants, the foundation seeks to improve the social and economic environment; encourage a free and responsible discussion of issues affecting the nation; enhance the effectiveness of American education; and stimulate responsible citizenship. For more information, visit
http://www.mccormicktribune.org/.
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