McCormick Tribune Foundation Awards $32 Million Nationwide
Grants Kick Off Foundation’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
Media contact: Pegeen Hopkins
Director of Communications
McCormick Tribune Foundation
(312) 222-5022
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CHICAGO, Jan. 10, 2005
The McCormick Tribune Foundation (MTF), one of the nation’s largest charitable foundations, announced that its board of directors approved grants totaling $32 million in the last quarter of 2004 to local and national organizations. The grants, the final awards of 2004, are part of the foundation’s 50th anniversary celebration, which began in July 2004 and will continue through April 2006.
In Chicago, grant recipients included Rush University Medical Center, Northwestern Memorial Foundation, the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago Historical Society, Family Institute and Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital.
The foundation also awarded funding to Metropolitan Family Services, which was the recipient of the foundation’s billionth dollar in 2003. Metropolitan Family Services, formerly United Charities of Chicago, is one of the organizations specifically mentioned in the last will and testament of Col. Robert R. McCormick, the founder of MTF.
“We are honored to contribute to such worthy causes as part of the foundation’s 50th anniversary,” said Richard A. Behrenhausen, president of the McCormick Tribune Foundation. “It is our hope that the initiatives we support reflect and continue the legacy of McCormick’s commitment to Chicago.”
The Chicago area organizations that received major grants include:
- Rush University Medical Center ($7,500,000);
- Northwestern Memorial Foundation ($5,000,000);
- Museum of Science and Industry ($4,000,000);
- Chicago Historical Society ($1,000,000);
- Family Institute (1,000,000);
- Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital ($1,000,000);
- Chicago Shakespeare Theatre ($500,000);
- Lincoln Park Zoo ($500,000);
- Ravinia Festival ($500,000);
- Roosevelt University ($500,000);
- Metropolitan Family Services ($250,000).
About the McCormick Tribune Foundation
The McCormick Tribune Foundation is one of the nation’s largest charitable organizations, with current combined assets of close to $2 billion. In 2004 the foundation gave more than $90 million in the form of grants designed to invest in communities, address human needs and promote the ideals of a democratic society through innovative partnerships. The foundation, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2005, was first established as a charitable trust upon the death of Col. Robert R. McCormick, longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune.
The foundation provides assistance in four program areas — communities, education, journalism and citizenship — and funds a special initiatives program. Through its grants, the foundation seeks to improve the social and economic environment; encourage a free and responsible discussion of issues affecting the nation; enhance the effectiveness of American education; and stimulate responsible citizenship. For more information, visit http://www.mccormicktribune.org/.
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