The Gilchrist Foundation Awards More Than $2 Million in 2024
Philanthropy is at the heart of the Gilchrist Foundation’s mission. The Foundation’s purpose is to help local charities by enabling special projects that will foster their long-term viability. Each year, the Foundation invites charities to request an invitation to apply and if chosen, submit a grant application for either a project grant, capital campaign grant or endowment grant. These grants, along with micro-grants, help nonprofits further their own missions.
In 2024, the Foundation awarded 71 grants totaling $2,031,484.23 to nonprofits committed to supporting the arts, wildlife and conservation and disaster relief. Below are some of the grants awarded in 2024.
Supporting The Arts
The Gilchrist Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that work to promote the arts, including painting, sculpture, music and theater, across Siouxland. The Foundation’s founder, Jocelyn Gilchrist, loved the arts and film and was a supporter throughout her lifetime. As a young woman, Jocelyn frequented The Chicago Symphony and the Chicago Art Institute and enjoyed the theater. She grew a deep fondness for the arts, both live and on the radio.
In 2024 awards were given to organizations that used the money to support art exhibits, music programs, sculptures, performances and many more.
The Des Moines Metro Opera House Inc. received a $20,000 project grant for the Opera Iowa Touring Troupe in 2025. The MOC Floyd Valley School District received a $5,000 micro grant to purchase three instruments for the jazz band. The Sioux City North Stars Band was awarded a $5,000 micro grant for amplification technology. SculptureWalk was awarded a $5,000 project grant to help enhance the artistic experience of the event by providing SculptureWalk audio guides. 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 Empire Community Theatre Inc. received a $10,000 project grant for the Premiere Playhouse, The Premiere Premieres Program.
Supporting Wildlife and Conservation
Parks, wildlife and conservation are also areas of philanthropic interest for the Gilchrist Foundation, just as it was for its founder Jocelyn Gilchrist who loved fishing and visiting wildlife parks and habitats. Protecting wildlife and supporting conservation efforts is the second pillar of the Foundation’s mission. In 2024, the Foundation awarded grants to many organizations dedicated to protecting wildlife and surrounding prairies. Funds went towards allowing the expansion of conversation areas and programs to continue ensuring wildlife, land and waterways are protected.
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 Monona County Conservation Board received a $50,000 project grant for a modern cabin at Peters Park. The Sioux County Conservation Board was awarded a $5,000 micro grant for an outdoor seating area at Prairie Woods Nature Center.
Supporting Disaster Relief
Supporting disaster relief is the third pillar of the Gilchrist Foundation’s mission. Jocelyn was deeply concerned about supporting people in need and was specifically interested in disaster relief. In 2024, the Foundation awarded the American Red Cross $200,000 to support relief efforts from devasting tornadoes that hit the Midwest in April and May as well as Hurricane Helene. In the Spring, the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers reached record flood levels, prompting the Foundation to quickly award disaster grants totaling $200,000 to the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and the United Way of Siouxland.
How the Grant Process Works
The 2024 grant review process opens in March. The Foundation is passionate to support the causes that were near and dear to Jocelyn Gilchrist’s heart by awarding four types of grants: project grants, micro-grants, endowment grants and capital campaign grants. Organizations whose missions align with the interests of the Gilchrist Foundation - the arts, wildlife and conservation, public broadcasting and disaster relief - may apply for a Request for Invitation. Organizations have until April 1, 2025, to request an Invitation to Apply. This request is a pre-qualifier and can be submitted online or a PDF can be downloaded and mailed to:
Security National Bank
601 Pierce St.
Sioux City, IA 51101
You can learn more about the entire application process here.