Gilchrist Awards More Than $2 Million in Grants in 2024
Siouxland nonprofits benefit from donations to help further their missions, and the Gilchrist Foundation has helped support local charities for more than 25 years. In 2024, the Gilchrist Foundation awarded 71 grants totaling more than $2 million.
Since 1998, the Foundation has given grants to local charities with goals and interests that align with those of Jocelyn Gilchrist, who established the Foundation. Those interests include the arts and public broadcasting, wildlife and conservation and disaster relief. Jocelyn died in 2008, but the Foundation continues to award grants in her name, preserving her family’s philanthropic legacy.
The annual grant process begins by submitting a Request for Consideration for Invitation due in April. If an invitation is granted, grant applications are due in late June and the awards are publicly announced in October.
The Foundation awards three types of grants: endowment, capital campaign 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.
Below are some of the newest recipients for 2024.
Badlands National Park Conservancy
The Badlands National Park Conservancy received a micro grant of $500 to help provide a handheld guide of the south unit of the Badlands National Park. The Badlands National Park Conservancy is a fundraising organization for Badlands National Park to help preserve its valued resources.
Des Moines Metro Opera House Inc.
The Des Moines Metro Opera House Inc. received a $20,000 project grant for the Opera Iowa Touring Troupe in 2025. The Des Moines Metro Opera House is one of the Midwest’s largest performing arts organizations, annually producing over 100 performances in the metro area and around the region.
Mid America Museum of Aviation & Transportation
The Mid America Museum of Aviation & Transportation received a $5,000 micro grant for the building of a new garden to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Flight 232. The organization’s mission is to explore, discover and share Siouxland’s rich aviation and transportation history so that the stories of the past can live on through educational experiences, authentic historical aircraft, and transportation exhibits. It held an open house and special presentation to commemorate the 35th anniversary of Flight 232 in July 2024.
MOC Floyd Valley School District
The MOC Floyd Valley School District received a $5,000 micro grant to purchase three instruments for the jazz band. The 5th through 12th grade band program includes six concert bands, three jazz bands and three marching bands. The band program is supported by the MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District and the Pride of the Dutchmen Band Parent Organization.
Monona County Conservation Board
The Monona County Conservation Board received a $50,000 project grant for a modern cabin at Peters Park. The Monona County Conservation Board was created in 1960 by the voters of Monona County. Its purpose is to manage land for public parks, wildlife areas, forest preserves, recreational areas, and historic sites.
The Sioux City North Stars Band was awarded a $5,000 micro grant for amplification technology. North Stars Band Inc. is a registered non-profit organization of parents of Sioux City North School band students.
SculptureWalk was awarded a $5,000 project grant to help enhance the artistic experience of the event by providing SculptureWalk audio guides. SculptureWalk Sioux Falls is the largest annual exhibit of public sculptures in the world.
The Sioux City Camera Club received a $4,000 micro grant to help fund the convention of the North Central Camera Clubs. The Sioux City Camera Club was founded for the purpose of providing an organization where individuals meet and exchange photographic knowledge and ideas. It is a member of the North Central Camera Club Council.
Sioux City Community School District
The Sioux City Community School District received a project grant for $34,900 for East High School’s fine arts to update audio equipment in the East High auditorium.
Sioux County Conservation Board
The Sioux County Conservation Board was awarded a $5,000 micro grant for an outdoor seating area at Prairie Woods Nature Center. The Prairie Woods Nature Center offers an opportunity to gain a better understanding of Sioux County’s environment and history. Interactive exhibits provide information on different habitats including wetlands, prairie and forest, as well as covering Sioux County’s geology and settlement history.
Sioux Empire Community Theatre Inc.
Sioux Empire Community Theatre Inc. received a $10,000 project grant for the Premiere Playhouse, The Premiere Premieres Program. The Premiere Playhouse is a professionally staffed, community based non-profit theatre organization in residence at the Orpheum Theater Center of downtown Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The South Dakota News Watch received a $2,500 micro grant to produce Opera on the Prairie. South Dakota News Watch is an independent, nonprofit organization reporting untold stories that help South Dakotans be informed and engaged citizens.
Siouxland Tanzania Educational Medical Ministry
Siouxland Tanzania Educational Medical Ministry was awarded a $5,000 micro grant to produce a movie about the Tanzanian students and their journey from Tanzania, the bus accident and coming to Sioux City to further their educations. STEMM is an inter-denominational Christian ministry. It was specifically created to develop a relational bridge between Siouxland and Tanzania by addressing the priorities of spiritual growth, medical care and educational opportunities.
The Salvation Army received a 1:1 Challenge Match for $50,000 in 2023 for the outdoor courtyard at the Salvation Army Western Plains Camp. The Western Plains Camp is a nonprofit Christian camp owned and operated by The Salvation Army and located just west of South Sioux City on more than 100 acres.
The Salvation Army also received a $100,000 disaster grant to aid in recovery from the June 2024 flooding in Siouxland. Salvation Army teams provided food, hydration and household supplies at a local emergency shelter. The team at the Sioux City emergency shelter offered hydration and snacks to displaced residents and provided meal services.
Tolerate Week was awarded a $5,000 micro grant for the 20th anniversary of the Tolerance Week program, Different Trains. Jerry and Kathy Weiner have been sponsoring the Tolerance Week events in Sioux City, Iowa since 2005. Tolerance Week brings films, live performances and exhibits to Sioux City that focus on the Holocaust.
The United Way of Siouxland received a $25,000 disaster grant for the 2024 Siouxland flooding recovery fund. The purpose of the Siouxland Recovery Fund is to provide financial resources to help meet short, intermediate and long-term needs for recovery in the Siouxland area when a major disaster strikes. On June 23, 2024, the fund was activated to support the recovery efforts of major flooding in the Siouxland region, with a focus on Union County S.D., Dakota County, Neb. and Woodbury and Plymouth Counties in Iowa.
See the entire list of the 2024 awards here.