Archival photo shows women using mobility scooter entering a Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago van|.
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago was the first recipient of the James Brown IV Award of Excellence for Outstanding Community Service in 1974. |

Mar 10 2016

Honoring Greatness Beyond Grants: The James Brown IV Awards

Note: This article was posted prior to the Trust's current strategy.

Take a look at Our Work to learn more about what the Trust is focused on today.

Where We Are Now

For more three decades, the James Brown IV Award for Outstanding Community Service recognized some of Chicago’s most significant nonprofit organizations.

[pullquote]From 1973 to 2005, James Brown IV Award honored + elevated Chicago’s most dynamic nonprofits[/pullquote]

Established in 1973, the award honored the contributions of organizations that embody the ideals upheld by one of our most influential executive directors, James Brown IV.

Each award was accompanied by an unrestricted cash prize, for the organization to use in any way it sees fit toward its mission.

Trust executive director James Brown IV and Trust board chair Phillip D. Block, Jr. present the first ever James Brown IV Award
Trust executive director James Brown IV and board chair Phillip D. Block Jr. present Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago president James O. Heyworth with the inaugural James Brown IV Award of Excellence for Outstanding Community Service in 1974.

The following organizations were selected as recipients of the award: