The Gilchrist Foundation Awards for 2021
In 2021, the Gilchrist Foundation awarded more than $1.7 million in grants to Siouxland nonprofit organizations whose interests align with the Foundation’s – the arts and public broadcasting, wildlife and conservation and disaster relief. Nonprofit organizations were invited to submit applications for the Foundation’s endowment and capital campaign grants and project grants during the annual grant cycle of April to mid-July. The foundation also awards micro grants of a maximum of $5,000 throughout the year.
Here are some of our newest recipients for 2021.
The American Veterans Park, in West Point, Neb., was awarded a $5,000 micro grant to purchase and install security cameras at the park. The American Veterans Park is a tribute to all veterans from across the United States it opened on Veterans Day in 2018.
Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce
The Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce was awarded a $2,900 micro grant to help fund family night in conjunction with Ice Cream Days 2021 that included musical entertainment and performing acts. Ice Cream Days is Le Mars’ annual flagship event! There are musical performances, a parade, kids fishing derby, outdoor movie and more.
Siouxland Artists Inc. was awarded a $5,000 micro grant to fund its Kathleen Conover workshop, Chaos to Order. The four-day, in-person workshop with the internationally recognized watermedia artist gave attendees the ability to see Kathleen exhibit and demonstrate numerous techniques and create 12 of their own paintings.
Voices Unite was awarded a $2,500 micro grant for Voices Unite 2021, a free gospel singing workshop and free public concert. Voices Unite's mission is to enhance the music of Siouxland through a sacred singing event and promote a coming together of people in a common goal of singing praise to God.
Boys & Girls Home of Sioux City Iowa
Boys & Girls Home of Sioux City Iowa was awarded a $150,000 capital campaign grant to fund a media center and multi-purpose room in the new Ginny Peterson Behavioral Health Campus at 1551 Indian Hills Drive. The $1.2 million, 34,000-square-foot family services center will provide a range of services to individuals of all ages with a focus on strengthening families, healing the emotional scars of trauma, rebuilding trust, managing the stresses of everyday life and working to support positive changes in people's lives.
Harrison County Conservation Board
The Harrison County Conservation Board was awarded a $100,000 project grant for construction on the Willow Lake Nature Center. The Harrison County Conservation Board is in the process of planning for a new, larger Willow Lake Nature Center and administrative offices to be located at the Willow Lake Recreation Area.
Lyon County Conservation Board
The Lyon County Conservation Board was awarded a $25,000 project grant for its Native American Artifact Display. The Lyon County Conservation Board was formed in 1963, for the purpose of acquiring, conserving, and developing natural resource projects of the county. The Conservation Board program is supported by a property tax levy, user fees, and grants.
Nebraska Wildlife Rehab was awarded a $75,000 capital campaign grant for renovations for the new wildlife hospital and rehabilitation center. The new, state-of-the-art wildlife rehabilitation center will be a full-service veterinary clinic for wildlife.
The Norfolk Arts Center was awarded a $50,000 endowment grant for its $1 million endowment campaign. The campaign will ensure the arts continue to grow for generations. The vision, values and mission of the Norfolk Arts Center are to enhance community life by presenting and supporting the arts in all forms.
O’Brien County Conservation Board
The O’Brien County Conservation Board was awarded a $10,174 project grant for the Prairie Heritage Center’s interactive ecosystems exhibit. The purpose of the Prairie Heritage Center is to provide environmental education as it relates to the prairie and the county, to preserve and protect prairie heritage, and to encourage economic development with regards to recreation and historic exploration.
Sculpt Siouxland was awarded a $24,000 project grant for Sculpt Siouxland conservation. Sculpt Siouxland is a private, non-profit organization of community leaders who are dedicated to engaging and educating the public on the potential of art in public spaces. Working with the support of area businesses, organizations and individuals, Sculpt Siouxland brings sculptures from throughout the upper Midwest to Sioux City.
South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation
The South Dakota Parks and Wildlife Foundation was awarded a $60,000 project grant for Adams Homestead Cultural and Natural History Interpretation Design Project. The Adams Homestead Cultural and Natural History Interpretation Design project is the redesign of exhibits inside the Visitor Center as well as outdoor way-finding and interpretive signage.
The Little Red Hen Theatre was awarded a $5,000 project grant for its Light up the Theatre project. The Wakefield, Neb. theater provides quality arts experiences for Northeast Nebraska through participation in live theatrical productions, educational opportunities, and other cultural and community offerings.
Mammoth Site of Hot Springs South Dakota Inc.
The Mammoth Site in Hot Springs, S.D. was awarded a $10,000 project grant for creating botany and geology walkways. The museum’s mission is to preserve, research and help in the development of a broad understanding of the Late Ice Age across South Dakota and the globe. The site is open year round and features self-guided tours.
Washington Pavilion Management Inc.
The Washington Pavilion Management was awarded a $5,000 project grant in order to connect artists with the audience through workshops at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls, S.D. The pavilion’s mission is to inspire, educate, entertain and enrich the community by making arts and science part of our lives.
West Point Community Theatre in West Point, Neb. was awarded a $5,000 project grant for updates for theatre operation following the pandemic. Our mission is to be Northeast Nebraska's destination for family-friendly movies and entertainment, educational programming and performing arts. It is committed to preserving and restoring our historic downtown theatre, while contributing to and enhancing the economic viability of our community.
Community Action Agency of Siouxland
Community Action Agency of Siouxland was awarded a $2,400 micro grant to purchase tickets that allowed 600 low-income children to do art projects at ArtSplash 2021. The agency has a number of programs that help carry out its goal of providing short-term aid and encouraging long-term change for Siouxland families. Programs include early childhood education, emergency assistance, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Weatherization, Welcome Home, child care nurse consultant, family development, and Child and Adult Care Food Program.
The Wild Sheep Foundation, located in Bozeman, Mont., was awarded a $5,000 micro grant for its conservation project that includes capture, tracking and analysis of bighorn sheep to assist with population restoration and habitat enhancement. The purpose of the organization is to put and keep wild sheep on the mountain through wild sheep transplants, telemetry studies, research, habitat enhancements (e.g., prescribed burning, water development, noxious weed control), predator management, education and a host of related programs.
The Gilchrist Foundation was established by Jocelyn Gilchrist in December 1998 to honor her family and further their interests. After Jocelyn’s death, the Foundation continued in her memory and is proud to support the philanthropic interests of the Gilchrist family. Organizations designed to aid in disaster recovery are encouraged to apply for funding through the Gilchrist Foundation. Learn more about our grant applications.