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.

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…

Fall outlook from Lowcountry arts groups: What’s next in the face of the Delta variant?

Longtime boosters of the arts in the Lowcountry and Chicago, the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation (GDDF) collaborated with Together SC and the SC Arts Commission to survey 3,782 arts, culture, and humanities nonprofits in the spring of 2021. They aimed to take a pulse…

New staff, new grants, new office – Summertime news from GDDF

New Staff We are pleased to welcome two new staff members! Baronica Roberson will join our team on August 30th as Director, Finance and Administration. She comes to us after serving as Deputy Commissioner/Chief Financial and Operating Officer for the Chicago Public Library. More about Baronica here. Natalie…