Landmarks Illinois Awarded South Side Preservation Grants

The nonprofit organization provided $25,000 in matching funds to support historic repair projects across Chicago.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Philanthropy

Isometric editorial illustration of a historic brick masonry building facade, representing architectural preservation efforts in Chicago. — Landmarks Illinois awarded $25,000 in matching grants to support historic building restoration projects in Chicago's Bronzeville, Englewood, and South Shore neighborhoods. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Landmarks Illinois has distributed $25,000 in total matching grants through the Timuel D. Black, Jr. Grant Fund. These funds will support historic preservation and renovation efforts at three community landmarks on Chicago’s South Side.

Why it matters

The grants facilitate the preservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings in Bronzeville, Englewood, and South Shore. This initiative helps local organizations secure the necessary resources to maintain culturally significant architecture.

Landmarks Illinois distributed $25,000 across three recipients using a 3:1 matching requirement for all grant funds. Individual awards included $10,000 for Monumental Baptist Church, $10,000 for the Englewood Real Estate Development Corporation, and $5,000 for St. Thomas Lutheran Church.

The players

Landmarks Illinois

This nonprofit organization is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and promoting historic buildings and neighborhoods throughout Illinois.

Monumental Baptist Church

Located in the Bronzeville neighborhood, this religious institution received $10,000 to assist with architectural and engineering documents for building repairs.

Englewood Real Estate Development Corporation

This community-focused entity received $10,000 to support ongoing repair work at the historic Schlitz Tied House located in Englewood.

St. Thomas Lutheran Church

Based in the South Shore area, this congregation received $5,000 to install an electronic bell system.

The details

The funding supports specific architectural and repair projects, including engineering documentation at Monumental Baptist Church, work on the historic Schlitz Tied House in Englewood, and a new bell system for St. Thomas Lutheran Church. Recipients must meet a 3:1 matching basis to qualify for these funds.

October 13, 2026: Landmarks Illinois announced the grant awards.
January 1: Annual grant application deadline.
July 1: Annual grant application deadline.

Market Landscape

The distribution of funds via the Timuel D. Black, Jr. Grant Fund represents a targeted effort to sustain neighborhood-level historic preservation in Chicago. This approach positions Landmarks Illinois to leverage private investment against their own contributions, mirroring broader nonprofit strategies for stabilizing aging urban infrastructure.

Local organizations and religious institutions on the South Side may now proceed with scheduled building repairs that were contingent on receiving these matching grants. Interested community groups can prepare their submissions for the next annual application cycle opening in January.

The takeaway

Historic preservation remains a collaborative effort requiring both organizational backing and local matching commitments. Residents or property owners interested in similar support should monitor application deadlines on January 1 and July 1 each year.