Elizabeth McCormick Memorial Fund

The Elizabeth McCormick Memorial Fund was a foundation dedicated to improving the quality of life for infants and children in Chicago. The Fund was established by Chicago industrialist Cyrus H. McCormick to preserve the memory of his only daughter, Elizabeth (1892-1905). Officially incorporated in 1913, the McCormick Fund operated as an autonomous charitable foundation under a Board of Trustees, Executive Director and staff. It first became known nationally in the 1900's with its successful and innovative "open-air" projects for inner-city children. From 1922, in addition to its public welfare projects, the Fund maintained a specialized lending library about children and child welfare. The McCormick Fund ceased to administer monies under its own auspices in 1961. For tax purposes and in recognition of the changed nature of social welfare, the Fund was dissolved and its monies directed through the Chicago Community Trust.