McCormick Foundation
Encyclopedia
McCormick Foundation is a Chicago
-based nonprofit charitable trust established in 1955, upon the death of "Colonel" Robert R. McCormick
. it had more than US$1 billion in assets.
, a position he held until his death in 1955. McCormick's will founded a charitable trust to promote his beliefs regarding the first amendment, citizenship
, community service
, education and journalism.
In May 2008, the foundation’s Board of Directors changed its name from McCormick Tribune Foundation to the McCormick Foundation to clarify that the Foundation no longer held an ownership position in the Tribune Company
.
In May 2009, the foundation appointed Chicago native, lawyer and former CEO of the Los Angeles Times
, David Hiller
as its president and CEO. Hiller succeeded David L. Grange
, a retired United States Army
Major General, who was the foundation’s president from 2005–2009.
's estate, that he called Cantigny
, as a public park. Located in Wheaton, Illinois
, Cantigny Park’s 500 acres (2 km²) features gardens, the Robert R. McCormick Museum, the First Division Museum, a golf course, and dining facilities.
which focused on first amendment rights: freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition. In January 2009, the foundation announced it was taking the McCormick Freedom Museum on the road. The mobile museum, dubbed the Freedom Express, made its debut in Chicago’s Pioneer Court
on May 27, 2010. The 45 feet (13.7 m) mobile museum provides historical perspective of the first amendment and and insight into contemporary free speech issues.
in 1989, the Engineering school of Northwestern University
was renamed the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
.
Since 2003, the foundation focused on programs for children ages birth to eight in Illinois
, including Advance Illinois, Illinois Action for Children, Once of Prevention Fund, and Erikson Institute
.
.
) to raise money for local needs, often granting matching funds.
for the blind or visually impaired, Children's Memorial Hospital
, and Off The Street Club.
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
-based nonprofit charitable trust established in 1955, upon the death of "Colonel" Robert R. McCormick
Robert R. McCormick
Robert Rutherford "Colonel" McCormick was a member of the McCormick family of Chicago who became owner and publisher of the Chicago Tribune newspaper...
. it had more than US$1 billion in assets.
History
In 1911, McCormick became the editor and publisher of the Chicago TribuneChicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
, a position he held until his death in 1955. McCormick's will founded a charitable trust to promote his beliefs regarding the first amendment, citizenship
Citizenship
Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...
, community service
Community service
Community service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions....
, education and journalism.
In May 2008, the foundation’s Board of Directors changed its name from McCormick Tribune Foundation to the McCormick Foundation to clarify that the Foundation no longer held an ownership position in the Tribune Company
Tribune Company
The Tribune Company is a large American multimedia corporation based in Chicago, Illinois. It is the nation's second-largest newspaper publisher, with ten daily newspapers and commuter tabloids including Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Hartford Courant, Orlando Sentinel, South Florida...
.
In May 2009, the foundation appointed Chicago native, lawyer and former CEO of the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
, David Hiller
David Hiller
David Dean Hiller is a lawyer and former media executive for Chicago-based Tribune Company. On May 18, 2009, he was appointed president and CEO of the McCormick Foundation, a leading charitable organization with more than $1 billion in assets...
as its president and CEO. Hiller succeeded David L. Grange
David L. Grange
David L. Grange is a retired United States Army Brigadier General, son of retired Lieutenant General David E. Grange, Jr. After retiring in 1999, David L. Grange served as the executive vice president and chief operating officer of the McCormick Foundation in Chicago. In September 2005, Grange...
, a retired United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Major General, who was the foundation’s president from 2005–2009.
Cantigny Park
McCormick left his grandafather Joseph MedillJoseph Medill
Joseph Medill was an American newspaper editor and publisher, and politician. He was co-owner and managing editor of the Chicago Tribune, and was Mayor of Chicago.-Biography:...
's estate, that he called Cantigny
Cantigny
Cantigny is a park in Wheaton, Illinois, 30 miles west of Chicago. It is the former estate of Joseph Medill, and his grandson Colonel Robert R. McCormick, publishers of the Chicago Tribune, and is open to the public...
, as a public park. Located in Wheaton, Illinois
Wheaton, Illinois
Wheaton is an affluent community located in DuPage County, Illinois, approximately west of Chicago and Lake Michigan. Wheaton is the county seat of DuPage County...
, Cantigny Park’s 500 acres (2 km²) features gardens, the Robert R. McCormick Museum, the First Division Museum, a golf course, and dining facilities.
Freedom Express
From April 2006 to March 2009 the foundation funded the McCormick Tribune Freedom MuseumMcCormick Tribune Freedom Museum
The McCormick Freedom Museum was the first museum in the United States dedicated to the First Amendment by the McCormick Foundation. It was open from April 11, 2006 until March 1, 2009. The museum offered visitors an interactive experience focused on first amendment rights which include freedom...
which focused on first amendment rights: freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly and petition. In January 2009, the foundation announced it was taking the McCormick Freedom Museum on the road. The mobile museum, dubbed the Freedom Express, made its debut in Chicago’s Pioneer Court
Pioneer Court
Pioneer Court is a plaza located near the junction of the Chicago River and Upper Michigan Avenue in Chicago's Magnificent Mile. It is believed to be the site of Jean Baptiste Point du Sable's original residence and trading post. In 1965, the plaza was built on the former site of his homestead as...
on May 27, 2010. The 45 feet (13.7 m) mobile museum provides historical perspective of the first amendment and and insight into contemporary free speech issues.
Education
After a $30 million grant to renovate the Technological InstituteTechnological Institute
The Technological Institute, more commonly known as "Tech", is a landmark building at Northwestern University built from 1940 to 1942.It is the main building for students and faculty in the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. The school of engineering itself was called...
in 1989, the Engineering school of Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
was renamed the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science
Established in 1909, the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science is one of eleven schools at Northwestern University. Most engineering classes are held in the Technological Institute, which students often refer to as "Tech." In October 2005, another building called the Ford...
.
Since 2003, the foundation focused on programs for children ages birth to eight in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, including Advance Illinois, Illinois Action for Children, Once of Prevention Fund, and Erikson Institute
Erikson Institute
Erikson Institute is a graduate school in child development located in downtown Chicago, Illinois. It is named for the noted psychoanalyst and developmental psychologist, Erik Erikson.-History and mission:...
.
Journalism
The foundation makes grants to develop a more informed citizenry while protecting first amendment freedoms, including American Society of Newspaper Editors Foundation, Radio Arte, News Literacy Project, Northwestern University's Media Management Center, and the Poynter InstitutePoynter Institute
The Poynter Institute is a non-profit school for journalism located in St. Petersburg, Florida. The school's mission statement says that "The Poynter Institute is a school dedicated to teaching and inspiring journalists and media leaders. It promotes excellence and integrity in the practice of...
.
Civics
The foundation makes grants to improve access to civic education and engagement opportunities for Chicagoland youth ages 12–22, including Mikva Challenge, City Year Chicago, Interfaith Youth Core, Illinois Campus Compact, and Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago.Communities
The foundation partners with media outlets and sports teams (including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Orlando Magic, Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
) to raise money for local needs, often granting matching funds.
Veterans
In 2008 and 2009 the foundation made grants for services for returning veterans from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.Special initiatives
The foundation makes grants for Chicago healthcare, cultural, education and human service organizations. Examples include Chicago LighthouseChicago Lighthouse
The Chicago Lighthouse for People Who Are Blind or Visually Impaired is a non-profit organization located in Chicago, Illinois.The Lighthouse is one of the oldest social service agencies in Chicago...
for the blind or visually impaired, Children's Memorial Hospital
Children's Memorial Hospital
Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois is a pediatric hospital. The main hospital is located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood on the north side of the city. With more than 1,100 physicians on staff and approximately 4,000 employees, Children’s Memorial focuses on 70 specialties in 17...
, and Off The Street Club.