Although reports are presented regularly at Chicago Society General Membership Meetings regarding the ongoing activities of the Chicago Society Foundation, it may be helpful to newer members, and a refresher to longer-standing members, to re-acquaint all of us as to the history and purpose of the Foundation.

 

The Foundation is a private charitable organization affiliated with, but separate from, the Chicago Society. It is the successor organization to the Chicago Society Building Corporation, which originally held and then sold, the Society's clubhouse because of changing neighborhood and building management circumstances. The new Foundation was created for tax-advantage reasons to permit donors to obtain charitable deductions, and for flexibility in managing philanthropic causes. Its constitution requires it to provide philanthropic and charitable assistance specifically and only to individuals and organizations dedicated to the Polish American community.

 

Mindful of that purpose, the Foundation’s directors, consisting of all former Presidents and the current serving President of the Society, have made grants to an array of organizations and causes consistent with service to the Polish American community. These have included, to name a few, The Polish Museum, the Irena Krzyzanowska Sendler film (televised on PBS in the Spring of 2011 with credits to the Chicago Society Foundation and a number of Society members,) the Chicago Society scholarship winners, Polish dance groups, and a biography of Casimir Pulaski for placement in many Chicago Public libraries. All Chicago Society members should be proud of the work the Foundation has done throughout its existence to carefully evaluate and identify only the most worthy recipients of support.

 

In addition to its initial seed funding from the Building Corporation, the Foundation has worked to enhance its funds by various means over the years, most notably its Casino Night sponsorship. Leaders in the Foundation have guided the Society to successfully sponsor its own Casino Nights to the benefit of its treasury. Importantly, the Foundation maintains a Finance Committee consisting of experienced individuals who have invested the Foundation’s funds prudently and conservatively. In the face of the recent economic downturn, the Foundation’s investments have actually increased in value at a time many "professional" managers and other nonprofit organizations have suffered disheartening financial losses, compromising their missions. Rest assured there is no investment gun-slinging at the Foundation.

 

The Foundation meets quarterly, carefully invests its funds to remain a viable source of grants for years to come, welcomes qualifying grant requests from worthy Polish American organizations and causes for consideration, and will continue to serve its mission.

 

 

2000

$5,000 - Adler Planetarium in Chicago

$2,400 - American Council for Polish Culture

$3,000 - Copernicus Foundation in Chicago

$3,000 - Chicago Society Scholarship Fund

2001

$1,500 - Cantores Minores Choir for  U.S. tour.

$1,000 - Chicago Intercollegiate Council

$3,000 - Copernicus Foundation in Chicago

$1,000 - Polish Council for Polish Culture

$8,000 - Chicago Society Scholarship Fund.

2002

$1,000 - Americans of Polish Descent, Inc.

$1,000 - Lira Singers "ZaprasZamy"

$1,500 - Chicago Society Scholarship Fund.

2003

$2,500 - Copernicus Foundation in Chicago

$1,500 -Lira Singers "ZaprasZamy"

$1,000 - Polish Museum of America.

2004

$3,000 - Copernicus Foundation in Chicago

$2,500 - Northwest Center of Polish Dance

$5,000 -  Polish American Association

$2,000 - Lajkonik Song & Dance Ensemble

$1,000 - Chicago Intercollegiate Council

$5,000 - Northern Indiana Arts Association

2005

$1,000 - Franciscan Immigrant Job Program

$1,000 - Lajkonik Song and Dance Ensemble

$2,000 - Polish Museum of America

$1,000 - Franciscan Immigrant Job Program

$2,000 - Holy Trinity Polish Mission Church

$3,000 - Northwest Center of Polish Dance

2006

$2,000 - Northwest Center of Polish Dance

$1,000 - Polish Museum of America

$5,000 - Parkway Foundation (Abakanowicz       Statues in Grant Park)

2007

$3,000 - Northwest Center of Polish Dance

$2,500 - Lechici Dance Group

$2,000 - Polish Museum of America

$5,000 - Irena Sendler Documentary

$500 - Polish Center of Wisconsin

2008

$8,000 - Gift from the Heart [Dar Serca]

$1,000 - Americans of Polish Descent

$4,000 - Chicago Society Scholarship Fund

$3,000 - Lira Singers Ensemble

2009

$6,000 - Chicago Society Scholarship Fund

$5,000 - Polish Museum of America

$1,000 - Mercy Home for Boys and Girls

$5,000 - Polish American Association

$1,000 - Lira Singers Ensemble

$500 - Northeastern Illinois University

2010

$5,000 - Chicago Society Foundation Endowment

at Northeastern Illinois University

$1,000 - St. Albert the Great R.C. Church

$3,000 - Chicago Society Scholarship Fund

$1,000 - Katyn Families Documentary

$500 - Life in a Jar Foundation

2011

$5,000 - Chicago Society Foundation Endowment

at Northeastern Illinois University

$1,000 - Polish Arts Club of Chicago

$500 - Polish Home Army (Armia Krajowa)

$600 - Per Amore Choir of St. Albert the Great Church

$3,000 - Chicago Society Scholarship Fund

$1,000 - Smolensk Tragedy Monument Fund

$1,000 - Polish Museum of America

$1,000 - Lira Singers Ensemble

2012

$3,000 - Chicago Society Scholarship Fund

$1,000 - Chopin Monument Foundation

GRANT REQUEST GUIDELINES

 

Requests for grants from the Chicago Society Foundation must comply with the following guidelines.

 

 1. Grant requests must be in accord with the applicable provisions of the Foundation Constitution.

 

     a. “The purpose of the corporation is to provide philanthropic and charitable assistance to meet the needs of individuals primarily of Polish heritage and organizations primarily dedicated to the Polish-American or Polish community within the meaning of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as amended or the corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue law.”

 

     b. “The mission of the Foundation is to improve the well-being of the Polish-America and Polish communities by supporting cultural, historical and educational projects of qualified individuals and organizations.”

 

Grants for construction, renovation or remodeling are not generally considered to be within the mission of the Chicago Society Foundation.

 

 2. The Foundation Board meets only four times a year, on the fourth Monday in the months of January, April, July and October. It is suggested that all requests for grants be submitted by U.S  mail postmarked by December 15, March 15, June 15, or September 15. Please mail all requests to Chicago Society Foundation, 6348 Milwaukee Avenue #360, Chicago, IL 60646.

 

 3. All requests shall include the following information:

 

     a. All requests shall be in writing signed by the requesting individual or the chief executive officer of the organization. All requests should contain the information of the benefiting person or  organization. Please provide a specific name and contact information, including a phone number and email address.

 

     b. Outline the reasons for the request in detail and the intended use of the grant.

 

      c. A business plan or budget as applicable to the type of request must be submitted. Include a  detailed budget of expenses. Requests by individuals should include a statement of time and  expense contribution anticipated by the applicant.

 

     d. Indicate the amount requested. If the request is for an amount exceeding $1,000.00 the financial statement or tax return must be submitted. (Such statement or return may also be required for lower amounts if requested by the Board of Directors).

 

     e. Indicate other sources of community support. Names of individual contributors are not required but a total dollar amount should be indicated.

 

     f. Notification of the Foundation’s response to the request will be forwarded to the applicant in writing within 30 days of the Foundation Board meeting.

PRESIDENTS OF THE

CHICAGO SOCIETY FOUNDATION

 

2000-2002   T. Ron Jasinski-Herbert

 

2003-2004   Romuald E. Matuszczak

 

2005-2006   Richard W. Ciesla

 

2007-2009  Donald A. Gutowski

 

2010-2011  Walter M. Piecewicz

 

2012   Stanley W. Sawa