Support the Freedom of the Press – The Fight Goes On
Viewing archives for Uncategorized
Photo credit: Onward House
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.
To distribute the food, Onward House used a client-choice pantry model giving people the opportunity to choose their own food while providing a sense of dignity and respect, and recognizing that each family has unique needs. The model also limits food waste, since people tend not to pick food they won’t use. Families had a wide variety of produce to choose from, including apples, bananas, citrus fruits, carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, and lettuce.
Mario Garcia, Executive Director of Onward House, was ecstatic about the turnout. “Our 2023 Annual Health Fair was great,” he told the Foundation. “The future home for Onward House’s food pantry at 2644 N. Central Avenue, and its two parking lots, made for a great draw … Thanks to the donation from the Reva and David Logan Foundation, we distributed over 160 cases of fresh fruits and vegetables. We are grateful to the supporters, staff, volunteers and the many partners who came out to share information and provide services. A special shout out to everyone who joined us and braved the rainy Saturday.”
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.
This event is just one example of how Onward House provides relevant and impactful programming for the Northwest side of Chicago. From their 0-5 education programs that support full-time working parents, to their regular partnership with CommunityHealth that gives free, accessible healthcare, they are truly a pillar in their community. Onward House has also shown strong leadership with their initiative to support new migrants through their Illinois Welcoming Center for Immigrants and Refugees. The center provides basic necessities, as well as immigration workshops, legal guidance, and referrals to other free services.
We are proud to be a partner with Onward House. Watch the video below to get another glimpse at their important work.
Photo credit: Impact Behavioral Health Partners
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. Cook County Commissioner Josina Morita, Illinois State Senator Laura Fine and Skokie Mayor George Van Dusen gave remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony. They were joined by representatives from IHDA, Equinix, Skokie Village, Synergy Construction, WJW Architects, Chrissy Swanson Consulting.
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. The building was designed in partnership with Designs for Dignity, which was founded on the belief that “every individual should have access to environments that support the wellness of the human spirit.”
Through their long-term and permanent housing, Impact provides a safe and stable alternative to homelessness for people living with serious mental illness. They serve over 700 people a year.
The Reva and David Logan Foundation has partnered with Impact since 2018. We specifically support their Housing Services Program, as well as providing in-kind winter-wear donations and support with building acquisition. We are proud to support the life-changing work of Impact Behavioral Health and their continued dedication to housing stability for people with mental illness.
Photo credit: Jessie Mott
“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.
We were so impressed, we decided to take a punt on them and offer them a transformational grant.
Fast forward a couple years. Now, they are taking on lawmakers across New York State, causing havoc, and being profiled in the New York Times.
The NYT article highlights two telling examples of the tangible impact NY Focus has had on policymakers/policy : NY Focus reported on a new prison policy that would block incarcerated people from publishing their work… Just one day later, the prison agency rescinded the policy. And after their disturbing investigation into the severe mishandling of sexual assault allegations against prison guards, the state senate passed a measure to delegate authority over sexual assault allegations to independent outside investigators.
We are so proud to be part of the rise of this unique newsroom investigating power in the Empire State. Great work, NY Focus!
Last month, we were proud to see three partners recognized for their outstanding work in their respective fields.
According to the Rockwood Leadership Institute, The MacArthur Foundation Art of Leadership will bring together 24 leaders from across the nation. These leaders work within grantee organizations in documentary film support, participatory civic media, and investigative reporting. Its purpose is to increase the individual leadership effectiveness of these leaders and provide opportunities for relationship building and collaboration.
On Instagram, Elijah McKinnon of Open TV expressed his gratitude. “Feeling incredibly grateful to be on this journey. I can’t wait to expand my mind while learning, building and sharing alongside a cohort of leaders working to imagine a brave, new world.”
Published and aired in December, the story disclosed a cluster of the incurable lung disease silicosis among fabricators of artificial-stone countertops. Public Health Watch and KPCC won first place in the Press Club’s audio journalism/investigative category for the collaboration. It included a television segment on Univision’s news magazine show Aqui y Ahora.
Overall, congratulations to our three partners: Open TV, American Documentary, and Public Health Watch.
Photo credit: Heather Coit, The News-Gazette
When program staff at the Foundation design grants, we try to find creative and innovative ways to challenge both grantees and other potential funders. We believe that the organizations that we fund should always be looking to diversify revenue streams, whether that be with individual membership drives, new corporate or institutional funders or even endowments. We always ensure that we give challenge matching grants when we feel that organizations have the internal capability to find those additional funds and leverage the opportunity.
Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting (MCIR), also known as Investigate Midwest, is a key example of this. With a secure $100,000 grant for general operating costs ensuring business as usual, and a solid staff and board of directors, we presented them with an opportunity to raise $125,000 in additional funds through one $25,000 and two $50,000 matching grants.
They did not disappoint – finding three new funders guaranteeing matching funds while forging new relationships and ensuring further sustainability of their operations:
MCIR is an independent, nonprofit newsroom. Their mission is to serve the public interest by exposing dangerous and costly practices of influential agricultural corporations and institutions through in-depth and data-driven investigative journalism.
Congratulations to MCIR on their achievement.
Author: Crystal Logan
Recently, two of our board members were featured on screen. Jamyle Cannon, founder of The Bloc, speaks as one of the creators in the “TikTok Sparks Good” series. And Patric McCoy, co-founder of Diasporal Rhythms and avid African art collector, talks about his “Take My Picture” project on WGN News.
Jamyle’s TikTok following of almost 120,000 has proven to be instrumental in broadcasting The Bloc’s mission. “What TikTok does better than anyone else,” Jamyle says, “is it puts you in front of the right audience. You get to speak directly to the people who are looking for your message. Kids learn about our program through TikTok and say ‘This is something I want to be a part of.'” In addition, through TikTok he receives wide support from people around the world (as far as New Zealand) through volunteer hours, monetary donations, and spreading awareness.
Working as an environmental scientist in the 1980’s, Patric decided to take on a new hobby. Little did he know, he would briefly become a photojo-historian for Black gay men in Chicago. In WGN’s news story, Patric delves into his experience wearing a camera around his neck and taking a photo of just about anyone who asked. Each of his subjects had agency in their pose and expression, creating a candid representation of gay Black life during the 80’s. Currently, you can see some of his photographs at Wrightwood 659. The exhibition runs through July 15th.
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!
Joel Hall and Dr. Christopher Balthazar receiving their award from Dr. Keith Green, Executive Director of Chicago Black Gay Mens’ Caucus.
The Reva and David Logan Foundation extends a warm congratulations to two of our partners: Joel Hall Dancers & Center and Taskforce. During “A Spring Fling,” the Chicago Black Gay Mens’ Caucus inducted our partners’ leadership into the Chicago Black Gay Hall of Fame.
Joel Hall is the Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus of Joel Hall Dancers & Center. Since 1974, they have championed the artistry of Black and Brown LGBTQ+ performers. They actively pursue opportunities to dismantle oppressive systems, amplify oppressed voices, and cultivate a better world for all. With our support, they are currently in development of their new space THE HALL. The building is located in Albany Park and is dedicated to the creation, performance, and instruction of Chicago’s dance artists.
Dr. Christopher (Chris) Balthazar is the Executive Director of TaskForce Prevention & Community Services. Since 1990, TaskForce is committed to addressing the HIV/STI-related needs of adolescents and young adults living in systemically disenfranchised communities. They provide HIV/STI prevention education, testing, treatment, and care services. They serve hundreds of LGBTQ+ youth each year on Chicago’s West Side. In addition to his induction into the Chicago Black Gay Hall of Fame, Chris also received the Sidney Thomas Health Advocacy Award.
We are proud to partner with organizations and individuals who are being recognized for making positive change in their communities. Congratulations to our partners Joel and Chris!
2022 – an exciting year! Our team has grown and we’ve moved offices. Also, we’ve witnessed wonderful achievements by stellar organizations in the Arts, Journalism, and Social Justice.
The Reva and David Logan Foundation implemented a creative Fresh Produce Program that connects farmers to distributors to food pantries to our neighbors in need. During 2022, over 16,800 individuals received hyper fresh fruits and vegetables. Our regional food system sources the majority of produce. Consequently, this creates a unique circular economic, environmental and social model of production and consumption to combat food apartheid, with a focus on encouraging healthy lifestyles and making available nutritious, delicious options.
Community Resource Center Launch
Through our due diligence, research, and communications, we have secured a building in the Belmont/Cragin neighborhood. This building will serve as the launch of a Community Resource Center. Strategic in our work, approach, and planning of an appropriate site was identifying an anchor partner. We found that in Onward House. An integrated vision of the center will engage partners in working together in solidarity, and give them the opportunity to establish long-term goals so their clients can thrive. We continue to learn and stay informed and now have a blueprint for launching other similar centers in communities of great need.
Winter Wear
Each year, brutal winters leave hundreds of Chicagoans struggling for warmth and places of safety. During 2022, the Reva and David Logan Foundation invested $1.4M in warm winter gear for 63 partner organizations in Chicagoland. While this effort cannot begin to scratch the surface, we have deep gratitude to our partners who distribute these items to those who need it most – from the cheerful faces of elementary school children to the thousands of asylum seekers who have arrived in Chicago since August.
At this critical time, with attacks on democracy and the advancement of authoritarian governments and policies, journalism has never been so vital. During 2022, we have continued to support those organizations. At local, regional and national levels, they provide quality coverage and engagement to gain back audience trust in the media.
Support of symposia, education and trainings has continued with increased access in regions such as Latin America. We were thrilled to welcome so many of our grantees at the Logan Symposium in Berkeley. Due to the connections our grantees made, we watched throughout the year as they came to fruition through new investigations and partnerships.
Awards abound with our journalism grantees, but impact is what really matters. Through their work, we have seen policy change, community engagement, legislation passed and corporations and governments being held to account.
Now is the time to fund in journalism. We encourage our foundation colleagues and peers to actively support the field to help ensure that the very liberties we hold dear are not slowly eroded… and taken away completely.
Some of the excellent work of our Journalism grantees in 2022:
A couple of our grantees won awards at the Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists for its 37th annual Excellence in Journalism Awards.
San Francisco Public Press: Community Journalism winners for Noah Arroyo and Madison Alvarado for their reporting on rent debt, public housing conditions, power outages on Treasure Island and tenant organizing rights in San Francisco.
The Foundation’s arts team is made up of practicing artists. These members of staff have experience in and out of the Chicago-ecosystem in: visual arts, choreography and dance performance, arts administration, writing, theatre-making, and filmmaking. It has created a direct line of knowledge to advocacy as we champion for our arts leaders in general operating support, multi-year support when applicable, as well as thought-partnership and networking.
Supporting Arts Workers
Consideration must be taken for the individuals who make up the workforce of an arts organization, the majority of which is contracted labor that does not always equate into equitable pay. We hope to support wage fairness goals through capacity building, resource sharing, bridging connections, and inviting risk-taking into building bolder budgets.
Creating Space
Many arts organizations and individual artists are feeling the strain of limited access to physical spaces or increasing rental prices. We have a continued focus on expanding artist residencies and have garnered capital investments to provide spaces for partner organizations. During the pandemic, when many venues and spaces shuttered their doors, these welcoming environments helped solidify placemaking and foster bold new work without the burden of rent.
The Artist Grant
In 2021, we successfully gathered 7 Chicago-based artists to design and build an individual artist application and evaluate 682 submitted applications. 20 artists were selected and were granted $2,500, no strings attached. Our team has taken a period of reflection to build an even stronger and smoother process in 2023. If you would like to nominate an artist to be a Designer on the next iteration, please contact us at contact@loganfdn.org.
Dream Warriors On Tour, Frank Waln, Tall Paul, Tanaya Winder, and Mic Jordan. Photo by Lyla June.
Roman Susan – ‘between all saints day and halloween’ by Kevin Stuart. December 2021-January 2022
Are you following us yet?
We uplift and highlight our partners’ achievements, opportunities, and fantastic reporting.
The Bloc is so much more than a nonprofit boxing gym. After Jamyle and Juli Cannon started The Bloc in 2016, they have been transforming the lives of Chicago’s youth by providing them with an enriching social and emotional support system, mentoring, and the resources to maximize their potential. The Bloc offers Olympic-style boxing training, academic support, exploratory learning, and bi-weekly food pantries out of their new facility in West Humbold Park. Supporting 150 youth annually, they are set to reach 300 by Fall 2022. At The Bloc they talk about their holistic approach. Besides pastoral care for the youth, they run a hugely successful pantry.
The Bloc’s Food Pantry
Everything about their pantry bag build is intentional. They source high-quality ingredients from Gordon Food Services, and pantry staples locally. And so, each bag contains well balanced, culturally thoughtful, fresh foods.
On Thursdays before the pantry, Fighters join in their civic service by prepping stations and building the shelf-stable pantry bags as well as household goods. With the help of Fighters and Volunteer Members, they build 300 bags and distribute to 150 neighbors/families every first and third Friday of the month. They build fresh bags with tomatoes, onions, carrots, potatoes, celery, lettuce, broccoli, bell peppers, garlic, apples, oranges, and lemons. The dry bags contain rice, dry pinto and black beans, vegetable canned goods, broth, pastas, oatmeal and breakfast granola bars.
By partnering with Gordon Food Services, we distribute over 2,200 pounds of high-quality produce directly into their communities. This is significant because The Bloc is located in one of the highest ranked neighborhoods in Chicago experiencing poverty with limited access to fresh markets. This disparity makes it particularly difficult for the elderly and disabled community members, who now rely on the Bloc’s accessible nutritional food.
Typically, Friday pantry days begin with a delivery from Gordon Food Services. Not an easy task for the dedicated drivers that drop-off as early as 8am. However, no matter how heavy the load; Gilbert, Manny, Richard, and Luis always deliver with a smile. This summer, The Bloc hopes to invite the community to help grow their own foods and fight for self-determination.
