Untold Stories Community Grants

The first Untold Stories grant was awarded to Mt. Zion High School teacher Rich Hansen on Feb. 13, 2024. A $20,000 grant supported class projects for Mr. Hansen’s African American history class to research, design and build a new exhibit, or exhibits, for community display.

Additional 2024 Untold Stories grants supported:

• Two Juneteenth Celebrations: $8,000 to the Decatur Parks Foundation for the event at the Devon; and $5,000 to the African-American Cultural & Genealogical Society of Illinois for their events at the Decatur Club and Central Park.
• A discretionary grant program supporting educators who are actively promoting diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, or those who seek to broaden DEI outreach, in their classrooms and schools. $29,025 was awarded.
• Two annual Do Something Great awards were named to honor the legacies of Preston Jackson and Ellsworth Dansby, Jr.
• A $10,000 grant to Decatur Public Schools District #61 for creation of historical materials/entry expansion/open house for the Ellsworth Dansby, Jr. Magnet School.
• A $500 grant to St. Teresa High School for All Voices in Action Club

In 2025, Untold Stories received additional support from both Healing Illinois and The Lumpkin Family Foundation.

2025 Untold Stories grants supported:

• $10,000 to Decatur Parks Foundation for Juneteenth Celebration event at the Devon.
• $5,000 grant to Montessori Academy For Peace for instructor Temethia Joyner class field trip experience.
• $2,500 grant to Eisenhower High School for presenting sponsor of the EHS Student Black History Art Exhibit.
• $2,500 grant to CHICO for Hispanic and immigrant outreach.
• $2,000 grant to Monticello Middle School for Long Way Down book project for all sixth graders.
• $2,000 grant to Eisenhower High School for David Barista immersion experience.