The Soul of Philanthropy is a comprehensive, multimedia exhibit that reframes portraits of philanthropy. Comprising highly-innovative presentations of over a dozen vignette stories and more than 50 black-and-white images, the exhibition captures philanthropic musings across generations. A robust offering of talks, panel discussions, and public forums accompanies the exhibition and allows groups to explore a broad range of topics to ignite a movement of conscious philanthropy by empowering a generation of Americans to recognize their power and responsibility to give back. 

The Soul of Philanthropy Chicago will tell the story of philanthropy from a uniquely Chicago perspective and will be curated to consciously consider Black philanthropic giving and how it has manifested across generations. 

The Soul of Philanthropy is a collaboration of civic and community leaders, volunteer activists, and philanthropists in the Chicago region. The vast knowledge and education shared through the TSOP exhibition will transform the lives of visitors as they learn how impactful Black giving has shaped not just the Chicago region, but the nation.

The Soul of Philanthropy is an extraordinary introduction to the past, present, and future of philanthropy in the Black Chicago community. The exhibit showcases historical images identifying and honoring multiple generations of community stakeholders in philanthropy. Chicago’s African American community has produced some of the nation’s most successful leaders in business, religion, media, and literary and performing arts. The common thread among them – past and current – is “paying and passing it forward.”