CHICAGO – November 28, 2023 – In honor of its commitment to ensuring diverse educational opportunities and preserving institutions of architectural and cultural heritage, the TAWANI Foundation announces gifts to the Northwoods Children’s Museum and the Walter E. Olsen Memorial Library Foundation in Eagle River, Wisc., and the Illinois Executive Mansion Association in Springfield, Ill.
The Northwoods Children’s Museum received the first payment of a $187,000 gift for the removal and replacement of its roof. This urgent repair, projected for completion in December 2023, will ensure the museum can operate sustainably for years to come. The museum opened to the public in April of 1998 and has grown from 13 to 26 hands-on exhibits and includes a toy store and a celebration room for the community to enjoy year-round.
The Walter E. Olson Memorial Library Foundation received the final payment on a $ 210,000 multi-year grant to establish a discretionary fund for library needs. This donation is the most recent in a series of gifts to the Foundation totaling over $1.6M for the establishment of the A.N. and Robert Pritzker wing at the library.
“We are proud to support the Walter E. Olsen Memorial Library Foundation and Northwoods Children’s Museum, recognizing their crucial roles in the lives of those they serve,” said Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), founder of the TAWANI Foundation. “The grants reflect our commitment to supporting institutions of excellence and opportunity for students and families. With a shared belief in the transformative power of education, we stand with these organizations, affirming our collective dedication to strengthening communities.”
The Foundation also awarded a $65,000 grant to the Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association to purchase 1,000 copies of A House That Made History: The Illinois Governors Mansion, Legacy of an Architectural Treasure. The book, by First Lady M.K. Pritzker, is being distributed to libraries and schools across the state. The Illinois Governor’s Mansion Association (this name is correct) is a non-profit board created in 1972 to preserve and oversee the renovation of the Illinois Governor’s Mansion.
“The TAWANI Foundation is a firm believer in the power of education and its ability to ignite minds, transform lives, and shape communities,” said Susan Rifkin, Chief Operating Officer of Philanthropic Activities. “Literature has always been a powerful tool in preserving and understanding our past, providing valuable insights into the culture, traditions, and events that have shaped our community over time. It is an honor to support these essential organizations dedicated to this mission.”
The TAWANI Foundation is a private foundation that accepts applications by invitation only. There is no open application period.
About TAWANI Foundation
Founded in 2002 by notable philanthropist and entrepreneur Colonel (IL) Jennifer N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), TAWANI Enterprises’ philanthropic organization, the TAWANI Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that provides support in the areas of arts and culture, historical preservation, health and wellness, LGBTQ+ and human rights, education and environmental initiatives. TAWANI Foundation’s vision is to make a sustained and measurable difference for organizations that focus on enriching knowledge, improving health and wellness, and promoting scientific understanding – all with a common goal of making a positive, long-term impact on individuals, communities, and the culture itself. To learn more, visit www.tawanifoundation.org.