Hellenic Foundation Hosts 2025 Annual Grant Awards Event Honoring 61 Programs

Each year, the Hellenic Foundation awards grants to organizations making a meaningful impact on the Greek and Orthodox community throughout the Chicagoland area. On December 10, 2025, the Hellenic Foundation proudly hosted its 2025 Annual Grant Awards Event, awarding grants to 43 organizations supporting 61 programs—the largest number of grant recipients in the Foundation’s history.

The event was once again held in the Upper Room at St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church, providing a warm and celebratory setting for this special evening. To view photos from the Reception and Grant Awards Ceremony, visit 2025 GRANT GALLERY | Hellenic Foundation.

Hellenic Foundation Executive Board Member, the Honorable Anthony C. Kyriakopoulos, served as the evening’s host and opened the program, which began with an invocation offered by Rev.  Fr. Dean Botsis. The event was honored by the presence and remarks of Consul General of Greece Emmanuel Koubarakis and Consul Georgia Tassipoulou, which underscored the importance of the Hellenic Foundation’s mission.

The Hellenic Foundation Board of Directors welcomed grant recipients, clergy, and friends of the Foundation to a reception catered by Concorde Banquets and beautifully coordinated by Manikas Designs. The evening featured 2025 Grant Awards videos highlighting the powerful impact of Hellenic Foundation grants across our Community. The full program and video clips are available for viewing at GRANTS | Hellenic Foundation.

During the program, Hellenic Foundation Executive Director Peter E. Valessares announced several new Initiative Programs, including:

• Austin Community Scholarships, in collaboration with Assumption Panagia Church and Dr. Peter Panton

• CineΕλλάδα Movie, a new cultural initiative in partnership with the Consulate General of Greece in Chicago celebrating contemporary Greek cinema

• Philoxenia Summer Projects, which brought youth groups to Minnesota to assist with beautification efforts at the Philoxenia Charities Houses

To learn more about these and other initiatives, visit INITIATIVES | Hellenic Foundation.

The program also highlighted the importance of the Hellenic Foundation Senior Care Program, featuring a special video presentation SENIOR SERVICES | Hellenic Foundation and remarks by Mary Killough, Director of the Illinois Department on Aging.

Since 2016, the Hellenic Foundation has awarded more than $4.1 million to deserving organizations and continues its tradition of supporting programs that impact the Greek and Orthodox communities throughout Chicagoland. To learn more about this year’s grant recipients, view the event program book at GRANTS | Hellenic Foundation.

For additional details about the Grant Program, event photos, and to watch the 2025 Grant Awards videos, visit www.hellenicfoundation.org/grants.