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Milkweed, the first sign of fall, and a late summer harvest from Preeti Veerlapati's garden.
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RDLF News: Summer Edition
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As the seasons begin to change, we'd like to update our readers on the work that the RDLF and its partner organizations accomplished this summer, as well as some upcoming opportunities for our readers.
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June
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Each of our board members was chosen because of the unique perspective they bring to our Foundation. In addition to supporting us to create radical change through grantmaking, they make their own waves in the community. Congratulations Jamyle and Patric on the much-deserved recognition!
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The RDLF team visited the new home of Pilsen Food Pantry (PFP) in June and was excited to see their plans and layout firsthand. PFP purchased the new building at 2124 South Ashland Avenue in March 2023. A complete renovation will allow PFP to significantly expand their mission.
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RDLF has partnered with PFP for more than three years. In addition to participating in our Fresh Produce Program, supplementing their weekly food distributions with hyper-fresh culturally-relevant fruits and vegetables, we have supported them by providing school supplies and winter weather clothing and gear for folks in need.
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We congratulate PFP on this impressive project and we look forward to the official launch of their new home very soon!
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When program staff at the Foundation design grants, we try to find creative and innovative ways to challenge both grantees and other potential funders. Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting (MCIR) did not disappoint – finding three new funders guaranteeing matching funds while forging new relationships and ensuring further sustainability of their operations.
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July
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Master of Food Rescue
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Mustafa (pronounced MOOS-tah-fah) is our Building Operations and In-Kind Manager at The Reva and David Logan Foundation. He is the lynchpin in our Food Rescue program. As seen in the cover photo, he is responsible for picking up food donations of all kinds from our corporate partners and then overseeing distribution of our rescued products to our many pantry and non-profit partners. We asked him some questions about his background and his opinions on all things non-profit, food rescue, and Chicago.
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When asked what drew him to work with the Logan Foundation, Mustafa said, "Realizing how diverse its work is. The Foundation does not have a single focus, unlike other non-profits and foundations. And they fund areas that traditionally lack funding, like journalism and the arts. ... The fact is it all matters. Because it provides that social net that we so depend on. Some people tend to forget how important and effective it is."
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Impact Ribbon Cutting
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On July 26th, Impact Behavioral Health Partners unveiled the new Lanam Rapp building in downtown Skokie. It features 16 stunning new units of individual housing. Everything in the building is brand new and artfully decorated. In addition, the building offers amenities such as a workout room and ample laundry facilities.
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The Reva and David Logan Foundation has partnered with Impact since 2018. We specifically support their Housing Services Program, which provides a safe and stable alternative to homelessness for over 700 people living with serious mental illness a year. In addition, we provide in-kind winter wear donations and support with building acquisition. We are proud of their impressive work and continued dedication to providing permanent and long-term housing stability for people with mental illness.
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“You know it when you see it.” A favorite saying of our Executive Director, Richard Logan. That’s how we felt about NY Focus when we met founders Akash Mehta and Lee Harris on a Zoom call a couple years ago. Determined, excited about the possibility of filling a journalistic gap, fearless and maybe just a little crazy - all essential qualities for a young team creating a non-profit journalism outlet from the ground up.
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We were impressed by their knowledge, ability to write and gumption and we decided to take a punt on them and give NY Focus a transformational grant. Fast forward a couple years, they are taking on lawmakers across New York State, causing havoc and being profiled in the New York Times.
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We are so excited and proud to see the progression and promising future of this very unique newsroom taking on Albany.
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August
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Sabrina Boggs at RDLF interviewed Elgin-Bokari Smith about the long history and recent rebirth of Stomping Grounds Literary Arts Initiative (SGLAI). In addition to being the organization’s Artistic & Executive Director, he is also the Co-Creator of Pocket Con, the President of Elephant Rebellion, and a 2018 3Arts Awardee.
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When asked what he wants the the world to know about SGLAI, Elgin said, "We are continuing work from an organization that’s been around for over 20 years now, but this is a brand new organization, and I’m treating it as such. It’s about what we’re doing now. It’s about the work that young people are gonna make from this point forward."
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On August 5th, Onward Neighborhood House hosted their third annual Community Health Fair. It was a rainy day, but that didn’t stop over 800 individuals and families from visiting the fair, making it the largest event in their 129-year history. Nearly 30 local organizations participated to provide services like health screenings, vaccines, yoga, Zumba, haircuts, clothing, and school supplies, and the Reva and David Logan Foundation (RDLF) provided 8000 pounds of fresh produce.
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The RDLF began their relationship with Onward House in 2021, when program officers Lyle Allen and Jessie Mott visited one of their food giveaways. They recall that Onward House was bursting at the seams, maximizing every single inch of their 9,735 sqft building. We had no doubt they would be able to do even more if they had a larger space, so we provided a 31,000 sqft building in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood for their expanding operations. The RDLF continues to provide in-kind donations to Onward House – produce for their food popups, as well as winter weather wear and personal care items.
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Reveal Wins Big
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One of the longstanding organizations in the Foundation’s journalism portfolio and undeniably one of the best non-profit newsrooms in the country, Reveal, from the Center of Investigative Reporting, recently won 3 National Edward R. Murrow Awards.
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The awards include homegrown investigations, an original partnership with the AP, and continuing coverage pulling from multiple hour-long episodes with both staff and freelance reporters.
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This is a huge haul of awards for any newsroom but even more significant in a newsroom of this size. For comparison, NPR earned three awards this year. “This American Life” and American Public Media each earned one.
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If you haven’t listened to Reveal before, it’s time to start. The investigations always “go deep” and cover a wide range of topics and interest areas.
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September
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RDLF grantee Disclose journalist taken into custody
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On Tuesday, September 19th, Disclose journalist Ariane Lavrilleux was taken into custody and her home searched by the French special intelligence service (DGSI) in order to identify the sources who helped reveal the Sirli military operation in Egypt, which carried out aerial strikes against civilians. Journalist organizations around the world are rightfully denouncing the actions of the DGSI, as there is widespread international recognition that the confidentiality of sources should be protected.
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The Boulevard Open House
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On September 13, our grantee partner The Boulevard of Chicago hosted an open house & dedication reception event to celebrate the rebuild of their facility’s east wing and dedicate the conference room in honor of Jennifer Nelson-Seals, former Interfaith House & Boulevard CEO.
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“We’ve serviced so many souls who came through this door,” Jennifer said to an audience outside the new facilities. “Our success was different with each and every one that came through. … And every person that walked through the door, I tell you, the staff, the board of directors, all played a key role in making sure that their living was not in vain.”
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Jesse Vasquez from FoSQN in Canvas Rebel
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Jesse Vasquez, Executive Director of RDLF grantee Friends of San Quentin News, was recently interviewed by Canvas Rebel. We were touched to read what he had to say about our president, Richard Logan:
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“I get to walk back into the prisons that held me because people matter and somebody did it for me. We were fortunate enough to have been visited by Richard Logan, President of The Reva and David Logan Foundation and staff while I was still at San Quentin State Prison. What left an impression on me was that they stayed involved and annually made visits to the prison newsroom to see how WE were doing. It wasn’t a normal funder’s site visit. It was a “how are you doing” visit and that made a difference in a world where folks have been ignored and left to sit silently and in darkness. We get to stay involved and help shine a light on a lot of potential, talent and human worth.”
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Upcoming Opportunities
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No Cop Academy: The Documentary
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Celebrate #NoCopTOBER this month with SoapBox Productions and Organizing at one of their screenings of No Cop Academy: The Documentary, which tells the story of Chicago's 2017-2019 campaign to stop a $95 million cop academy and invest in Black youth and communities instead.
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REALITY WINNER
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This month, our grantee Codebreaker Films releases REALITY WINNER, a documentary that tells the incredible true story of NSA whistleblower Reality Winner for the first time in her own words.
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A list of October screenings across the US can be found here. The VOD release is on October 31st.
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Job Opportunities
Click on a position to learn more.
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Grant & In-Kind Opportunities
Click on an opportunity to learn more.
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We'd like to hear from you!
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Thanks for reading! We have an open call for content from our partners to highlight the brilliant work they're doing in the community. If you are an established partner with The Reva and David Logan Foundation and you would like to see your event, achievement, job opening, etc. in our next newsletter, please reach out to Sabrina Boggs, Communications Coordinator at sabrina(at)loganfdn(dot)org.
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In addition, we are frequently reposting our grantees on our social media, so make sure to follow us and tag us in your posts! Links to our socials are below.
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