Public–Private Collaboration Announces the Chi–Cal Rivers Fund

Partnership to fund projects for improving stormwater management, habitat, and public access in Chicago/Calumet region

AUGUST 7, 2013, CHICAGO, Illinois –  Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel gathered with a team of public and private partners at the Wrigley Global Headquarters today to announce the Chi–Cal Rivers Fund (Fund). The Fund is a new funding opportunity designed to improve the health, vitality and public access of the waterways in the Chicago and Calumet region. Partners have currently committed $2.4 million to the Fund over three years, of which $1.1 million will be awarded in 2013 as grants for on-the-ground projects. 

“Since the campaign, it has been my goal to make the Chicago River the next great recreational frontier for the City of Chicago, and these competitive grants from the Chi–Cal Rivers Fund are essential to realizing that vision and transforming our River into a clean, safe resource that our families and residents can enjoy,” said Mayor Emanuel. “From modernizing the largest water filtration plant in the world, to building new green stormwater infrastructure, to building four new boat houses along the River, Chicago’s greatest natural asset is our use of and treatment of water, and these exciting grants will help drive the larger quiet revolution that has been taking place with respect to Chicago’s water assets, benefiting not only the city, but the region as a whole.”

Today, Fund partners announced their first Request for Proposals (available for downloading at www.nfwf.org/chi-cal) and applications for competitive funding are currently being accepted. Grants will support improvements in green stormwater infrastructure, wildlife habitat, and public access. Examples of work to be supported by the Fund include rain gardens, green roofs and other green infrastructure installations, riverbank stabilization and riparian buffer planting, and trail and access point developments. 

“Healthy urban waterways are a key component of the vitality of our communities,” said Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago President Kathleen Therese Meany. “Investments in waterway improvements pay us back with improvements in the local economy and in our quality of life. In finding new ways to deal with flooding, the Chi–Cal Rivers Fund will help reduce costs and risks associated with stormwater runoff.”

“For nearly 100 years the Wrigley Company has made its home on the banks of the Chicago River, first with the Wrigley Building and more recently with our new global headquarters on Goose Island,” said Martin Radvan, President of Wrigley and the Wrigley Company Foundation. “We realize first-hand that the health of the River is important to the continued vibrancy of the city, and the Wrigley Company Foundation is proud to be part of this innovative new public–private partnership that will help make the River and surrounding waterways even stronger and more viable.”

Administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), the Fund is a partnership among several public and private organizations, including ArcelorMittal, The Chicago Community Trust, Crown Family Philanthropies, Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Joyce Foundation, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and the Wrigley Company Foundation.

“This remarkable collaboration will help to bring new life to local waterways and benefit communities throughout the region,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF. “Through the Fund, corporate, foundation and public partners have joined together to support solutions to tough environmental challenges.”

Fund partners will host a webinar on August 14, 2013 at 10 AM Central Time to provide additional details on the new funding opportunity and application process.  Webinar registration can be completed at:  https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/301463992.

For more information on the Chi–Cal Rivers Fund, please visit www.nfwf.org/chi-cal. 

A nonprofit chartered by Congress in 1984, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation sustains, restores and enhances the nation's fish, wildlife, plants and habitats.  NFWF creates partnerships between the public and private sectors to invest in conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.  To date, NFWF has awarded more than 12,000 grants to more than 4,000 organizations in the U.S. and abroad and leveraged - with its partners - more than $618 million in federal funds into over $2.1 billion for conservation.  For more information, visit www.nfwf.org.

About ArcelorMittal

ArcelorMittal is the world's leading steel and mining company, with a presence in more than 60 countries.

ArcelorMittal is the leader in all major global steel markets, including automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging, with leading R&D and technology, as well as sizeable captive supplies of raw materials and outstanding distribution networks.  With an industrial presence in over 20 countries spanning four continents, the Company covers all of the key steel markets, from emerging to mature.

ArcelorMittal is listed on the stock exchanges of New York (MT), Amsterdam (MT), Paris (MT), Luxembourg (MT) and on the Spanish stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia (MTS).

For more information about ArcelorMittal visit www.arcelormittal.com.

About ArcelorMittal USA Foundation

The ArcelorMittal USA Foundation makes grants in three primary focus areas: education, environment, and health and safety.  In 2012, the Foundation provided more than $6.1 million in grants to nonprofit organizations focused on improving the environment, education, and health and safety of our communities.  The Foundation supports those communities in which its employees live and its business and clients operate.

About The Chicago Community Trust

For 98 years, The Chicago Community Trust, our region’s community foundation, has connected the generosity of donors with community needs by making grants to organizations working to improve metropolitan Chicago.  In 2012, the Trust, together with its donors, granted more than $100 million to nonprofit organizations.  From strengthening schools to assisting local art programs, from building health centers to helping lives affected by violence, the Trust continues to enhance our region.  To learn more, please visit the Trust online at www.cct.org.

About Crown Family Philanthropies

Crown Family Philanthropies (CFP) is the grantmaking organization created to address the family's aspirations for social change.  Program areas include education, civic affairs, arts, environment, health, human services and Jewish causes.  CFP's environmental grantmaking supports efforts to value, preserve and restore natural ecosystems through innovative science-based approaches, emphasizing collaborative efforts which deliver measurable results.

About Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation

The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation was founded in 1952.  Its mission is Land Conservation and Artistic Vitality in the Chicago Region and Lowcountry of South Carolina.  A healthy natural environment is crucial to healthy human communities, but natural land is scarce, threatened and, once lost, is gone forever.  One of our focus areas is the bi-state Calumet Region.  See more about the Foundation at www.gddf.org.

About Illinois Department of Natural Resources

The Joyce Foundation supports the development of policies that both improve the quality of life for people in the Great Lakes region and serve as models for the rest of the country.  The foundation focuses on today's most pressing problems while also informing the public policy decisions critical to creating opportunity and achieving long-term solutions.  The work is based on sound research and is focused on where the foundation can add the most value. The Joyce Foundation encourages innovative and collaborative approaches with a regional focus and the potential for a national reach.  Learn more at www.joycefdn.org.

About Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago

Established in 1889, the MWRD (www.mwrd.org) is an award-winning, special purpose government agency responsible for wastewater treatment and stormwater management in Cook County, Illinois.  The MWRD protects the health and safety of the public in its service area, protects the quality of the water supply source (Lake Michigan), improves and protects the quality of water in watercourses, protect businesses and homes from flood damages, and manages water as a vital resource.  The MWRD’s service area is 883.5 square miles of Cook County, Illinois. The MWRD is committed to achieving the highest standards of excellence in fulfilling its mission.