We established the Michael and Mona Heath Fund in 2013, initially with the general goal of supporting artistic excellence in Chicago’s storefront theatres. During the subsequent years, we witnessed both the brilliance of theatre artists of color, and their underrepresentation as playwrights, actors, designers, and decision-makers. Consequently, we refocused our philanthropic aspirations to embrace the inseparable objectives of artistic excellence and inclusiveness.
Note: Although only theatre-related philanthropy is included on this website, we also support social justice activism, particularly the Workers Center for Racial Justice. For more information, see this article from the Chicago Community Trust’s 12/14/21 newsletter and this three-minute video overview of WCRJ’s work.
One practical consideration in grant making is choosing projects from among the many praiseworthy theatre companies in Chicago—many that we’ve attended on a regular basis. One of our biggest challenges in awarding grants is determining the right balance between donating to a large number of theatre projects versus focusing funding so that it will have more discernible impact. This balancing act has resulted in various types of support, such as those described on the following pages:
Focused projects for specific artistic needs
Comprehensive list of sponsored productions
Accessible Equipment Loan Program
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We’ve also supported some one-of-a-kind projects through means other than our Chicago Community Trust Donor Advised Fund:
