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The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation

Annual Giving
$21.6M
Grant Range
$30K - $10.0M
Decision Time
4mo

The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $21.6 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $386.7 million
  • Decision Time: 3-4 months
  • Grant Range: $30,000 - $10 million
  • Geographic Focus: Chicago and Illinois (primarily)

Contact Details

Office Address: 50 East Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Mailing Address: 25 East Erie Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 312-641-5772
Website: https://www.driehausfoundation.org
Email: See program-specific contacts below

Overview

Established in 1983 by Richard H. Driehaus with an initial $1 million contribution, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation has grown into one of Chicago's significant philanthropic institutions with assets exceeding $386 million. The foundation awarded 125 grants totaling $2.2 million between 1984-1991 and was formally structured in 1992 with board formation and its first executive director. Today, it distributes approximately $21.6 million annually through strategic philanthropic partnerships focused on enriching Chicago through three core areas: improving the built environment, cultivating a robust arts and culture ecosystem, and supporting investigative journalism that fosters government transparency and accountability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Built Environment

  • Grant Range: Varies (recent grants up to $10 million)
  • Focus: Historic preservation, urban design, architecture, placekeeping, urban agriculture, heritage trades skills development, urban open space
  • Application: By invitation only after initial inquiry
  • Contact: Brad White (bradwhite@driehausfoundation.org, ext. 109)

Arts and Culture

  • Grant Range: $30,000 - $1 million
  • Focus: Arts service organizations, infrastructure support, Chicago-specific festivals, national/regional arts service convenings
  • Note: Not accepting inquiries or first-time applications until early 2026
  • Application: Currently paused

Investigative Journalism for Government Accountability

  • Focus: Nonprofit media organizations conducting investigative reporting on Chicago/Illinois government
  • Application: By invitation only after initial inquiry
  • Contact: Nicholas Burt (nicholasburt@driehausfoundation.org, ext. 106)

Priority Areas

  • Chicago's built environment including historic preservation and urban planning
  • Arts infrastructure and "business side of the arts" support
  • Local government transparency and accountability through investigative journalism
  • Behind-the-scenes assistance for arts organizations

What They Don't Fund

  • Discriminatory organizations
  • Religious activities
  • Capital campaigns (except in Built Environment program)
  • Debt reduction
  • Political campaigns or lobbying
  • Individuals
  • Tuition assistance
  • Research or pilot programs (Arts & Culture)
  • Exhibitions, film projects, or arts education (Arts & Culture)
  • Individual journalists or freelance projects (Journalism)
  • Journalism education programs or scholarships

Governance and Leadership

Board Members:

  • John Chandler
  • Maurice Cox
  • Elizabeth Driehaus (Treasurer)
  • Michael Lykoudis
  • Christopher Mellin (Secretary)
  • Dorothy Mellin (Vice President)
  • Laura Washington
  • Ernest Wong

Executive Leadership:

  • Lynn Osmond - President/Executive Director

Key Staff:

  • Brad White - Senior Program Director, Built Environment
  • Nicholas Burt - Senior Program Officer, Investigative Journalism
  • Anita Alexander - Senior Program Officer
  • Noemi Garcia - Senior Program Officer
  • Tessa Mazor - Grants Manager

Richard H. Driehaus notably stated: "The measure of one's personal holdings is of less importance than the impact of our collective aspirations made real."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation accepts grant applications by invitation only. The process requires:

  1. Initial contact with the designated program officer to determine alignment
  2. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) status and be in good standing with IRS and Illinois Secretary of State
  3. If invited, applicants access the application through the Fluxx portal
  4. Application includes seven narrative questions, administrative sections, and financial document attachments

Getting on Their Radar

To be considered for an invitation:

  • Contact the specific program officer for your area of interest directly
  • Brad White for Built Environment (bradwhite@driehausfoundation.org)
  • Nicholas Burt for Investigative Journalism (nicholasburt@driehausfoundation.org)
  • Arts and Culture inquiries are paused until early 2026
  • The foundation emphasizes initial contact to determine alignment before any invitation is extended
  • Process typically takes "at least a few months" from initial inquiry

Decision Timeline

2026 Application Deadlines:

  • March 6 (Decision in July)
  • July 17 (Decision in November)
  • December 4 (Decision in April 2027)

Total timeline from initial inquiry to decision: Approximately 3-4 months minimum

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

Not specified in available materials

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities:

  • Built Environment: Projects should understand historic preservation and urban planning "as part of a decades-long continuum" rather than isolated initiatives
  • Arts & Culture: Foundation seeks "fully developed initiatives, not ideas" - focus on sustaining Chicago's arts infrastructure and the business side of arts
  • Journalism: Projects must have "clear implications for government accountability" with impact measured through "new laws passed, broken policies reformed, and wrongs righted"
  • Foundation values relationships with "accountability, loyalty, respect, and trust"
  • Projects should demonstrate commitment to diverse, inclusive communities
  • Emphasis on sustainable urban spaces that meet community needs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only process - initial relationship building with program officers is essential
  • Arts & Culture program is paused until early 2026 - plan accordingly
  • Foundation focuses exclusively on Chicago and Illinois with very limited exceptions
  • Large grant range ($30,000 to $10 million) suggests capacity for both program and major initiatives
  • Strong emphasis on measurable impact and systemic change rather than one-off projects
  • Built Environment program is the only area that considers capital campaigns
  • Foundation prefers established organizations with proven track records over pilot programs

References

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