Many guests honor party hosts with gifts when attending their social events. It is a time-honored tradition dating back to ancient times, one that evolved into the accepted social etiquette practiced today.
DuPage Foundation (DF), DuPage County’s champion for philanthropy, turned that custom upside down when it instead bestowed nearly $750,000 to representatives from 57 nonprofits who picked up their awards at the Foundation’s Community Impact Grant Open House in December. Of that sum, Arts DuPage, a DF initiative, distributed $201,000 of the overall total to 22 organizations for their arts and culture activities, much to the delight of the recipients.
BrightSide Theatre was the first to show its gratitude.
“Support from Arts DuPage’s Arts and Culture Grant program has a huge impact on our work,” said Julie Kornak, executive director. “Flexible operating support helps us shape our programs to better serve the community, and this year that meant music! We hired a local composer to write music for A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and his world premiere pieces helped the cast and audience to connect more meaningfully with Shakespeare’s words and story, which was an unexpected bright spot in our season.”
Mari Ullrick, DuPage Symphony Orchestra’s strategic director of operations and engagement, was also grateful for the funding.
“By offering various programs at no cost to any school (including Title I schools), we help students imagine possibilities for their future that feel real and reachable. One of the most meaningful parts of this work is seeing former students return as adults, now supporting the orchestra because of the impact these experiences had on them. It’s a beautiful cycle that continues to grow, and this grant helps keep that momentum alive!” said Ullrick.
Dylan Ladd, Executive Director, Illinois Conservatory for the Arts (ICA), chimed in.
“Because of this grant, ICFTA can expand access to high-level training for young artists across DuPage County – especially those who would otherwise be unable to participate. This support directly strengthens our scholarship and programming efforts, allowing more students to learn from working professionals, build audition and performance skills, and grow within a community that believes in their potential.”
Other Naperville recipients include Chhobighar Film Society, Mays Music Centre of Excellence, and Young Naperville Singers. For a complete list of grantees, visit dupagefoundation.org/our-grantees.
