McCormick Foundation To Take Civic Education and Freedom Message On the Road
For Immediate Release
CHICAGO, IL, Jan. 09, 2009
At its December
meeting, the Board of Directors of
the McCormick Foundation approved grants to 13 nonprofit agencies. These fourth
quarter grants support the Foundation’s focus on its hometown and on encouraging
citizens to become more active, informed and engaged. The Foundation, part of the
legacy of former Chicago Tribune publisher Robert R. McCormick, has a long history
of leadership in citizenship, journalism and early childhood education issues, both
locally and nationally. These most recent grants are targeted directly at Chicago-area
needs and reflect McCormick’s ties to the city and its people. A complete listing
of these fourth-quarter grants is provided below.
“Although Robert R. McCormick was a true citizen of the world,
his heart, and his major contributions, were always in
Chicago
,” said David L. Grange, president and chief executive officer, McCormick Foundation,
“The McCormick Foundation is part of his legacy and, like McCormick, the Foundation
seeks to improve civic health. We are proud to help fund these important initiatives
and to be part of efforts to support our city, our communities, and our citizens.”
2009 Program Grant Highlights
To ensure a national treasure remains relevant for generations to come, the McCormick
Foundation granted $3 million to the
Museum of Science and Industry
(MSI) for the
U-505
exhibit. The U-505 is the only maritime vessel of its kind on display in the
United States
. The multi-year grant is part of “Science Rediscovered,” a comprehensive campaign
focused on updating and developing new exhibits for children that stimulate interest
and learning. The grant allows MSI to establish a fund for the U-505 exhibit, purchase
immediate replacement items, invest in enhancements and meet updated energy requirements. Col. Robert R. McCormick was one of
the early advocates in bringing the German submarine to the people of
Chicago
, understanding that its story would inspire and teach important lessons about World
War II, technology, political history and warfare to younger generations. To date,
the McCormick Foundation has committed a total of $8 million to the U-505 exhibit.
Additionally, the
Illinois Institute of Technology
(IIT) will receive a $400,000 grant over two years for the
McCormick Scholarship Fund to support low-income students from
Illinois
. The grant will provide 20, $10,000 scholarships for IIT students affected by the
current difficult economic conditions. The McCormick Foundation has been a long-time
partner of IIT, and has invested more than $20 million since 1989 to transform student
life as well as revitalize the South Side of Chicago.
To support our wounded soldiers and veterans, the McCormick Foundation granted $375,000
to
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese
of Chicago for its veterans’ programs, including St. Leo’s
Campus, a permanent supportive housing program for veterans with disabilities, Cooke’s
Manor, a transitional housing program for homeless veterans, and Bishop Goedert
Residence for retired veterans. All three of these programs provide supportive services
and linkage to their residents. The grant allows Catholic Charities to sustain the
organization’s current programs and develop new initiatives. It also honors the
service and legacy of Col. Robert R. McCormick and his years of military service
to the veterans of
Illinois
. Catholic Charities is also a long-time partner of the McCormick Foundation and
remains at the forefront of innovative and effective interventions with
Chicago
’s most vulnerable populations.
Below is the complete listing of the fourth-quarter
grants approved by the McCormick Foundation’s Board of Directors:
|
Special Initiatives Grants
|
|
|
Civic Institutions
|
|
-
Chicago
Metropolis 2020 (Chicago)
For
general operating support
|
$250,000
|
-
Corporate
Leadership
Center
(Chicago)
To
support a nonprofit leader to participate in the CEO perspective program at Northwestern’s
Kellogg School of Management
|
$50,000
|
-
Metropolitan Planning Council (Chicago)
For
general operating support over two years
|
$200,000
|
|
Cultural
Institutions
|
|
-
Chicago Children’s Choir
For
general operation support
|
$75,000
|
-
Museum
of
Science
and Industry (Chicago)
For
multi-year maintenance of the U-505 submarine as part of the “Science Rediscovered”
comprehensive campaign
|
$3,000,000
|
|
Educational
Institutions
|
|
-
Christ the
King
Jesuit
College
Preparatory High School (Chicago)
For
new building construction of the high school
|
$100,000
|
-
Cristo
Rey
Jesuit
High School
(Chicago)
For
renovation of a multipurpose space at the school
|
$100,000
|
-
St. Martine de Porres High School (Waukegan, Ill)
For
general operating support
|
$100,000
|
-
Illinois Institute of Technology (Chicago)
For
student scholarships
|
$400,000
|
-
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (Alexandria, Va.)
For
the Need-Based Scholarship program for children of marines residing in
Chicago
over 5 years
|
$200,000
|
|
Social
Service Institutions
|
|
-
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of
Chicago
For
veterans’ programs
|
$375,000
|
-
Communities in Schools of
Chicago
For
the Agency Impact Initiative
|
$200,000
|
-
Hazelden Foundation (Center City, Minn.)
For
the
Chicago
Bullying Prevention initiative
|
$75,000
|
|
Grand
Total
|
$5,125,000
|
About the McCormick Foundation
The McCormick Foundation is a nonprofit organization committed to strengthening our free, democratic society by investing in children, communities and country. Through its five grantmaking programs, Cantigny Park and Golf, and three world-class museums, the Foundation helps build a more active and engaged citizenry. It was established as a charitable trust in 1955, upon the death of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. The McCormick Foundation is one of the nation’s largest charities, with $1.2 billion in assets. For more information, please visit
www.McCormickFoundation.org.