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.

Announcing 11 collections projects to be funded by Broadening Narratives grant initiative to illuminate underrepresented stories

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Grants total $670,000 to 11 collecting organizations and five advisory groups in Chicago and the Lowcountry of South Carolina; Grant recipients will receive a range of $20,000 to $200,000 to fund new projects. CHICAGO [Dec 8, 2021]—The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation (the…

Call for Art! Deadline December 15

We are hosting our 3rd biennial Lowcountry Land Conservation Symposium on May 10, 2022 and seeking artwork from Lowcountry artists to use for the branding of the event. Submissions should represent the theme Inclusive Conservation in the Lowcountry: Resilient Communities Working Together. Selected artwork will…

three images - a dancer in red kneeling and reaching forward; an actor in yellow on stage with red curtain backdrop being filmed by 5 people in silhouette; 4 people around a wooden table with 1 woman standing up

Survey of 91 performing arts organizations in Chicago reveals 44% still uncertain about return to in-person performances

Despite overall industry comeback, smaller organizations still struggling to reopen FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD IMAGES [in header, clockwise from left: The Space Movement Project, Remy Bumppo, Red Twist] CHICAGO [October 25, 2021]—The Chicago-based Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation (the Foundation)—an organization that…