Welcome to the Revv Campaign

Chicago Dancemakers Forum (CDF) is the largest open call source of support for new dance in Chicago. CDF catalyzes creation by dancemakers representing nearly every area of the Chicago and has provided over $1.25M in direct funding for artists to date.

Chicago Dancemakers Forum’s bold vision is to be Chicago’s Heart of Dance Innovation—Strong and Everywhere.

We are eager to share that Chicago Dancemakers Forum...

• is a strong and adaptive organization that enriches Chicago’s cultural identity.
• has an agile and responsive approach to supporting artists that represent all of Chicago.
• stimulates dancemakers to experiment and create new work defined by their own goals of artistic growth and success.
• raises $250,000 annually for programs and operations to catalyze new dance creation.
• amplifies its work in partnership with a consortium of dance incubating and presenting organizations.
• is identifying a new leader to build a strong future for dance in Chicago.
• is raising $1M to secure the direct grants to artists, program costs, staff compensation and organizational growth.
To prepare for expanded funding for artists and the transition to paid leadership, CDF has launched the Revv Campaign to raise:

$1,000,000

FOR DIRECT GRANTS TO ARTISTS, PROGRAM SUPPORT, EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP SALARY AND ORGANIZATIONAL GROWTH.

The funds raised through the three-year Revv Campaign will fully realize the vision and goals outlined in CDFs comprehensive 2020-2025 strategic plan.
CDF’s average annual budget of $500,000 serves about 2,000 dancemakers a year through grants, public programs, and resource sharing. Always in the black and committed to impact, Chicago Dancemakers Forum invested 77% of its operating fund into program and artist support in 2020.
The $1M Revv Campaign will infuse this work with new possibilities and scale by providing funding to support paid executive  leadership, securing future grants, and making space for organizational growth. 

Make A Donation!

You can donate online or by mailing a check made out to “Chicago Dancemakers Forum” and mail to:
Harris Theater for Music and Dance
ATTN: Chicago Dancemakers Forum
205 E Randolph Dr
Chicago, IL 60601

Planning Committee

Suzanne Griffith, Co-Chair
Kim D. Ricardo, Co-Chair
La Mar Brown
Pam Crutchfield
Kipa Davis
Patti EylarGail Kalver
Maggie Kast
Shawn Lent
Lizzie Leopold
Christopher Barrett Politan
Baronica Roberson
Mario Treto, Jr.
Angel Ysaguirre
Cheryl Yuen

Honorary Committee

Bonnie Brooks
Asimina Chremos
Kevin Iega Jeff
Scott Lundius
Susan Manning
Onye Ozuzu
Sarah Solotaroff-Mirkin
Peter Taub
Lisa Yun Lee

Photo credits: Nejla Yatkin by Lois Greenfield, Nejla Yatkin in “The Other Witch”