2004 Annual Report a Brief History of the Foundation
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2004 ANNUAL REPORT A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FOUNDATION he McCormick Tribune Foundation was established as a charitable trust in 1955 upon Tthe death of Col. Robert R. McCormick, the longtime editor and publisher of the Chicago Tribune. McCormick played a major role in American journalism during the first half of the 20th century and built the Tribune Company from a single newspaper into a major media organization consisting of newspapers, radio and television stations, and newsprint manufactories. McCormick also served in the U.S. Army with the Mexican Expe- ditionary Forces under General Pershing and subse- quently under the general in France during World War I. In that war he fought as an artillery battalion commander with the 1st Division, and for many years afterward, he remained active in the Army Reserves. These associations resulted in a strong bond between the colonel and the military, particularly the 1st Division. In his will, Colonel McCormick specified only that his fortune be used for “religious, scientific, liter- ary, and educational purposes, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.” This has allowed the foundation to support a wide variety of efforts, rang- ing from the physical properties of the Cantigny estate and the First Division Museum through philan- thropic support of its mission in communities, educa- tion, journalism and citizenship. COVER IMAGE: Walter Ehlers (right), a Congressional Robert R. McCormick joined the Illinois National Medal of Honor recipient, and a serving 1st Infantry Guard in September 1915. As World War I Division soldier at a World War II Memorial stamp concluded, McCormick was appointed a colonel unveiling at Cantigny. in the Federal Force. TABLE OF CONTENTS Message from the President..................................2 2004 Communities Grant Highlights ...................36 Key Events...........................................................4 2004 General Fund Grants ................................40 Celebrating Veterans............................................6 Summary of 2004 Grants Paid...........................44 Special Initiatives .................................................8 2004 Foundation Financial Highlights.................45 The Communities Program..................................12 McCormick Tribune Foundation Staff...................48 The Journalism Program.....................................18 McCormick Tribune Foundation The Education Program ......................................24 Directors and Officers ........................................50 The Citizenship Program ....................................30 2004 ANNUAL REPORT Message from the President houghts of his days as a soldier toric battle. One of our first anniversary were never far from Robert R. grants went to The Gettysburg National T McCormick’s mind. He main- Battlefield Museum. It will be used to build tained a long and close association with his the McCormick Tribune Gallery in honor of former comrades and fellow veterans, partic- Major William H. Medill and will feature the Last year, we ularly those who served in his beloved 1st contributions of Illinois troops and the per- Division. It is not surprising, then, that this spectives of journalists during the battle. announced plans year—as the foundation approaches its 50th McCormick’s other great passions were anniversary—our annual report offers a Chicagoland—a term he coined for use in to construct a major special tribute to soldiers. the Chicago Tribune—and his unwavering new museum in the Several significant veterans’ gatherings belief in the freedom of the press. In 2004, captured our attention during 2004. In the foundation contributed more than $44 Tribune Tower, June, the 60th anniversary of D-Day was million to the Chicago area, our largest celebrated in Normandy, France. No one annual contribution ever to the city. Major which will celebrate was more proud of the role the 1st Division health institutions, civic and cultural America’s freedoms. played during D-Day than McCormick. As institutions, community activities, and the keeper of his legacy, the foundation educational facilities and programs all bene- played an important role in ensuring that fited from the increased support. The special returning 1st Division veterans were fully initiatives section of this report details much integrated into all the anniversary celebra- of the support we gave to Chicago. tions. Several months later we were pleased Last year, we also announced plans to to host a number of events at Cantigny as construct a major new museum in the part of the division’s annual reunion, which Tribune Tower. It will open in 2006 and is was held in Chicago. designed to celebrate America’s freedoms. In August, we began our two-year Inspired by the international architecture celebration of our coming anniversary. Early competition McCormick launched in 1922 celebratory activity focused on McCormick’s to design the Tribune Tower, we initiated a fondness for all things military. His grand- worldwide call to artists to compete in a uncle, William Medill, fought for the Union contest to create a “freedom icon” that will at Gettysburg during the Civil War. Medill be the centerpiece of our new museum. To later died from wounds received at that his- date we have received more than 650 2 MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT entries from across the globe. 2004 also marked the retirement of Charles T. Brumback from our board of directors. Charlie served on our board for more than 23 years, seven of those as chairman. He, like McCormick, was a proud veteran of America’s wars who made certain that we remained true to McCormick’s legacy. Charlie was also the architect of our communities program, which has extended our philanthropy nationwide and grown to become our largest program, granting more than $57 million in 2004. All of us at the foundation are indebted to Charlie for the leadership, counsel and support he provided throughout his distinguished board service. This letter marks my final appearance in our annual report. In September I will retire from the foundation after 14 years of extremely fulfilling and satisfying work. It has been my honor and privilege to continue my lifetime of service as a part of this extraordinary foundation. I am indebted to our board of directors, past and present, for the opportunity and the support they provided to me on this journey. Richard A. Behrenhausen President & Chief Executive Officer McCormick Tribune Foundation The McCormick Tribune Foundation executive team is shown in the McCormick Museum at Cantigny. Front row, from left, David L. Grange, executive vice president and COO; Richard A. Behrenhausen, president and CEO; Victoria Shire Dinges, vice president of external affairs. Back row, from left, Louis J. Marsico, vice president of finance and administration; and Nicholas Goodban, senior vice president of philanthropy. Key Events January Constitutional Rights Foundation, a by Gary S. Becker, Ph.D., 1992 Nobel lau- foundation grantee, held the “Illinois reate and professor of economics and soci- The McCormick Tribune Fellows program, Youth Summit” and gave students the ology at the University of Chicago. a unique initiative designed to increase the opportunity to share their analysis of current number and impact of minority executives affairs with state policy-makers in Chicago in the news media, kicked off its seventh June and federal policy-makers in Washington. Five graduating seniors from Chicago year with a two-day training program in Military Academy-Bronzeville received Chicago for fellows and their mentors. To further its mission of advancing high college scholarships from the foundation. quality and accessible programs that foster Graduation was held at Navy Pier. the development, health and well-being of all Illinois children, Action for Children, a foundation grantee, held its annual spring conference and legislative reception in Springfield, Ill. May February The Kohl McCormick Early Childhood The foundation held its annual Teaching Awards luncheon was held at the Valentine’s Day concert for the public at Westin Chicago River North Hotel to cele- Cantigny in Wheaton, Ill. The program brate early childhood education in Chicago. The American Red Cross dedicated the featured Steven Havens on piano and Rauner Center in Chicago. The disaster Laura Sanborn on flute. operations center, which was supported by a grant from the McCormick Tribune The foundation's First Division Museum Foundation, will serve as a hub for crisis re-opened its renovated gallery. In 2004, response, volunteer training and coordina- more than 110,000 visitors and 250 guided tion in the Illinois medical district. school tours visited the museum. The foundation’s annual Community March Program Funds Conference brought American Press Institute’s Media Center, together program partners from across the created by the McCormick Tribune Found- Cantigny held its annual Greenhouse Open country to discuss their continued growth ation in 1997, brought together high-level House. The 18,500-square-foot greenhouse and development, fund-raising successes innovators and thinkers in news, technology and nursery produce the bulk of the annuals and best business strategies. and business for a “global, cross-industry and perennials displayed throughout expedition into the future of media and the Cantigny’s gardens and golf course. The McCormick Tribune Foundation media business.” incorporated a new public charity, the The foundation sponsored a Cantigny