The Center on Halsted has received grants from The Kresge Foundation of Troy, Mich., totaling $950,000, according to an organizational press release.
An initial $800,000 grant was awarded in the form of a challenge for the construction of a new LGBT community center at 3656 N. Halsted. A bonus grant of $150,000 is to be awarded once the center has received its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Center, which broke ground earlier this year, is nearing the $17.5 million mark of its $20 million capital campaign. The leadership phase has been co-chaired by Robert Bell and Martin Gapshis.
In order to receive The Kresge Foundation’s challenge grant Center on Halsted must complete the $20 million campaign by Jan. 1, 2007. This grant launches the public phase of the Center’s capital campaign.
Robbin Burr, Center executive director, said, ‘We can only afford to celebrate for a moment because we still have work ahead of us. Our board and staff are up to this; we are confident that our community is too. We invite everyone to join us as we meet the Kresge challenge.’
The new three-story building will dramatically expand the Center’s programming capabilities by housing a Whole Foods Market, the Hoover-Leppen Theatre, the Billie Jean King Recreation Hall, the Richard M. Daley Rooftop Garden, and meeting spaces.
The Center formally announced the grants Nov. 3 at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion.