Give Back Here to Support Arts and Culture

Our region has a long tradition of theater, music, visual arts, and local history. A new fund at the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation is designed to keep that tradition strong, forever. The Arts and Culture Endowment was established in 2025 with a visionary gift from a longtime community member who understands that local arts and humanities are a key to the vibrancy of our community, yet are an often underfunded asset. The fund is now open to donations from anyone who wants to contribute. The fund will make grants to local organizations and projects that promote creative expression, expand public access to the arts and history, and get more residents involved, such as community theater, a history museum program, public murals, or youth music lessons. The Foundation is growing the fund over the next two to three years, and first grants are expected in 2028. Because it is an endowment, every gift is invested and a portion of the earnings, about 4.5% a year, is granted