The Orlebeke Foundation Announces the Mentorship in the Arts Initiative
The Orlebeke Foundation is launching the Mentorship in the Arts Initiative, a pilot funding opportunity to expand meaningful arts access for Chicago’s K–8 youth – paired with the mentorship and advocacy each child may need to fully participate and thrive. Pilot projects will begin with smaller cohorts to generate practical learning that can inform broader impact over time. Statements of Interest (1–2 pages) are due October 10, 2025. Download the full RFP and submission details here.
What the Foundation Is Seeking
Consistent, hands-on arts exposure across disciplines
Trusted mentorship and advocacy to remove barriers to participation
Pilot designs (e.g., a cohort, class, or age group) that could be replicated or scaled over time
Funding & Eligibility
Funding available: up to $150,000 total for pilot initiatives (12–24 months); final awards will depend on the strength and scope of proposals received
Eligibility: Nonprofits and fiscally sponsored organizations serving K–8 youth (or a subset of this age group) in historically under-resourced Chicago communities
Application Process
To lower barriers and welcome early-stage ideas, the Foundation is using a two-stage process:
Stage 1: Statement of Interest due October 10, 2025
Stage 2: Full proposal (by invitation) due January 31, 2026
Applicant Information Session
Join us for a virtual information session to learn more and ask questions:
Thursday, September 11, 2025 | 10:00–11:00 a.m. CT | Zoom (registration link).
A recording will be available to all registrants.
Learn More & Apply
Download the full RFP and submission details here.
About Our Role
JH Philanthropy is honored to facilitate this process on behalf of The Orlebeke Foundation. For questions, please contact Hannah Kaplan, Philanthropy Advisor, at hannah@jhphilanthropy.com.
