Innovation 80 focuses on addressing needs in arts organizations that are not adequately met by other sources. Grantees tell us that raising funds for arts organizations is always difficult, but that for new and innovative programs it is almost impossible. Most funders are risk averse and prefer to back organizations that can document success over a period of time.
Creativity and growth in the arts demands innovation, which entails some degree of risk-taking; without it organizations and, ultimately, the arts would stagnate. Innovation cannot guarantee immediate success, but we believe that even when an effort does not fully succeed, it can create ripples toward future success.
For that reason, we remain open to programs that, for example:
are completely new
are applied to or adapted for different age levels
use art, tools, and/or techniques to address an issue in a new way
combine art forms and/or organizations
Other Ways Innovation 80 is itself Innovative:
We fund across many art forms, acting as a kind of mutual fund for donors.
We spur collaboration among organizations and serve as a catalyst to further energize our grantees to achieve their goals.
We partner with our grantees, offering opportunities they are free to accept or not without it impacting our funding of them.
What our Grantees say about why we’re different:
“The communication and openness to ideas from the whole Innovation 80 team is a breath of fresh air.”
— Green Star Movement
“The single most unique aspect of Innovation 80 is their enthusiasm for and investment in new ideas. Innovation 80 is a builder of programming and, as their name implies, a true advocate for innovative programming.”
— 2nd Story
“Innovation 80 has been a constant source of inspiration to the ChiArts Foundation… They bring a sense of excitement and fun to changing things in the Chicago art community for the better."
— ChiArts Foundation
“They are a one-of-a-kind fund. Innovation 80 is in regular contact with its grantees, finding creative ways to strengthen the grantor-grantee relationship that goes well beyond financial support.”
— Reading Between the Lines