We fund organizations across many art forms, acting as a kind of mutual fund for donors who wish to support small arts organizations in underserved communities but who are unable to find or vet those institutions themselves.
Innovation 80 is small, agile, and open in our approach. As a donor-advised fund, our limited time is not consumed by the regulations of a 501(c)(3).
We spur collaboration among organizations and serve as a catalyst to further energize our grantees to achieve their goals.
We partner with grantees but do not seek to control their agendas or methods. Instead, we initiate opportunities that our grantees are free to take advantage of or not. In either case, they have our continuing support.
We focus on innovation. Innovation spurs creativity and excitement, and generates growth in the organizations we support.
what our grantees say about how I80 is different:
“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
“The communication and openness to ideas from the whole Innovation 80 team is a breath of fresh air.”
— Green Star Movement