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June 8, 2023
Take Five blog header
June 8, 2023

Take Five with Jacquelyn Lemon of NewRoot Learning Institute

Take Five with Jacquelyn Lemon of NewRoot Learning Institute Take Five is an interview series that highlights Polk Bros. Foundation grantee partners who are taking impressive […]
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June 1, 2023
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June 1, 2023

Take Five with Vershawn Ward of Red Clay Dance Company

Take Five with Vershawn Ward of Red Clay Dance Company Take Five is an interview series that highlights Polk Bros. Foundation grantee partners who are taking […]
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January 26, 2023
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January 26, 2023

Take Five with Christopher Balthazar of TaskForce Prevention & Community Services

Take Five with Christopher Balthazar of TaskForce Prevention & Community Services Take Five is an interview series that highlights Polk Bros. Foundation grantee partners who are […]
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June 9, 2022
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June 9, 2022

Take Five with Brenda Palms Barber of North Lawndale Employment Network

Take Five with Brenda Palms Barber of North Lawndale Employment Network Take Five is an interview series that highlights Polk Bros. Foundation grantee partners who are […]
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February 18, 2020
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February 18, 2020

Take Five with Cesar Maldonado of Mariachi Heritage Foundation

Take Five with Cesar Maldonado of Mariachi Heritage Foundation Take Five is an interview series that highlights Polk Bros. Foundation grantees who are taking impressive actions […]
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April 1, 2019
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April 1, 2019

Thirty years later, we remain focused on Chicago’s future

Thirty years later, we remain focused on Chicago’s future By Gillian Darlow, Polk Bros. Foundation CEO In early 1989, Polk Bros. Foundation’s Board of Directors convened […]
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October 15, 2014
Student painting
October 15, 2014

Spotlight on building arts partnerships to inspire learning

Spotlight on building arts partnerships to inspire learning In 1994, Polk Bros. Foundation issued a Request for Proposals that announced, “The Foundation seeks proposals for educational […]
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July 7, 2014
ChiArts Dancers
July 7, 2014

Spotlight on citywide collaboratives to expand arts education

Spotlight on citywide collaboratives to expand arts education Since its beginning, Polk Bros. Foundation has placed a high priority on making the arts accessible to Chicago […]
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About Polk Bros. Foundation

Polk Bros. Foundation is a private independent foundation which focuses its work at the intersection of Chicago's most pressing issues to address the complex roots and devastating effects of poverty, challenge inequity, and ensure that all Chicagoans have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Since its founding in 1988, the Foundation has partnered with more than 3,900 Chicago nonprofits to build strong communities and families, increase access to quality education and the arts, improve health, and strengthen organizations and the sectors in which they work. In fall 2024, Polk Bros. Foundation announced three new goals that will guide our work in the years to come: Closing the Life Expectancy Gap; Building Community Wealth Across Generations; and Fostering a Participatory, Multiracial Democracy. The Foundation will share full strategies in support of its new goals and begin fully grantmaking toward these goals in fall 2026.

Media Contact

Tracy Kremer
[email protected]
312.445.2659

Newsletter

Archived Issues

Latest posts

  • PBF NEWS
    Polk Bros. Foundation congratulates Dr. Garth Walker on his confirmation as Chicago’s Commissioner of Public Health
    July 15, 2026
  • PBF NEWS
    Polk Bros. Foundation welcomes Dr. Garth Walker and Terry Peterson to its Board of Directors
    June 30, 2026
  • New Grant Opportunities
    Polk Bros. Foundation to release three grant opportunities to support community-driven efforts and help shape future grantmaking
    February 17, 2026
  • Listening deeply, building for now and what’s next
    December 16, 2025
  • Janet Ward
    Polk Bros. Foundation Controller Janet Ward to retire in June
    June 11, 2025
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Polk Bros. Foundation
20 West Kinzie Street, Suite 1110
Chicago, IL 60654-5815
312.527.4684 │ [email protected]

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