Board of DirectorsLetter from Board President and Administrative DirectorAbout Elizabeth F. CheneyGrant Guidelines and ApplicationGrant RecipientsAnnual Reports

Grant Guidelines and Application

Application form:

The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation is a private independent foundation. Its principal focus is to support the arts and cultural organizations primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area. Organizations supported include, but are not limited to, music and dance performance organizations, theatre companies, historical societies and museums. The overall grant making focus of the Foundation is on artistic achievement in presentation or performance rather than educational enrichment or outreach.

Grants are not typically given to help meet operating budgets, and the Foundation does not generally make unrestricted grants. Rather, grants are project-oriented with the goal of funding worthwhile projects which otherwise might not receive necessary funding.

Unsolicited grant requests will be considered only for organizations in the Chicago Metropolitan area.

The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation accepts both letters of inquiry (via post or email) and phone inquiries. This communication should include a brief description of the proposed project, a project budget and other projected sources of support. Grants are made only to tax-exempt organizations.

The Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation application form and supporting documents are due according to the following schedule:

Board Meeting Proposal Deadline Focus
March February 1st Museums & Literary Arts
May April 1st Music
September August 1st Dramatic Arts
November October 1st Dance

In the case a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, proposals may be submitted by 5pm on the first business day following the deadline.

All inquires and proposals should be directed to: Ms. Elisabeth Geraghty, Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation, 120 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1740, Chicago, IL 60603. 312.782.1234 phone and 312.782.1242 fax egeraghty@cheneyfoundation.org