Supporting land conservation, artistic vitality, and regional collections for the people of the Chicago region and the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

We seek to sustain and build resilient, vital, engaged, and equitable communities in our two regions by supporting conservation, arts, and collecting organizations.

GDDF News

Explore recent news and stories from the Foundation, grantees, and partners.

Broadening Narratives launch webinar

Video from our October 21, 2020 launch event for our new collections strategy, Broadening Narratives. Webinar includes a short video sharing some stories from Chicago and the Lowcountry, a history of how the strategy came to be, a panel discussion with two collecting organizations, as...

Let’s Broaden the Narrative

What do we gain from sharing our stories? Introducing our new collections strategy - Broadening Narratives.

Charleston Jazz bass player wearing a mask, audience sitting outdoors, physically distanced, some in masks, saxophone player

COVID-19’s Impact on the Arts in the Lowcountry

The Arts Response to COVID-19 – Report on group conversations with Lowcountry arts organizations and the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation By: Kerri Forrest and Ame Holcombe Header images provided by Charleston Jazz of a late September 2020 performance, their first live since COVID began….