AIA Chicago Foundation Celebrates Mission to Support Future Architects with Billboard donated by Wintrust

Photo and Video Assets

Media Contact: David Chase, (312) 376-2745, dchase@aiachicago.org

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — The AIA Chicago Foundation is proud to announce the launch of a new citywide awareness campaign featuring a prominent billboard message: “Investing in the next generation of architects.” This high-visibility initiative was made possible through a generous donation from Wintrust, highlighting a shared commitment to fostering the talent and diversity of Chicago’s architectural community.

The billboard, currently visible to thousands of commuters and residents, serves as a public declaration of the Foundation’s core mission: providing the financial resources, mentorship, and professional pathways necessary for students and emerging professionals to thrive in the built environment.

“Seeing our mission elevated to the Chicago skyline is a milestone moment for the Foundation,” said Jen Masengarb, Assoc. AIA, AIA Chicago Foundation Executive Director. “We are incredibly grateful to Wintrust for their generosity. This billboard isn’t just an advertisement; it’s a call to action for our city to recognize and support the aspiring architects who will design the future of our neighborhoods.”

While the campaign celebrates the Foundation’s visibility, it also serves as an invitation for the community to invest directly in the programs that make this mission a reality. Contributions to the AIA Chicago Foundation support a variety of critical initiatives, including:

• The Diversity Scholarship: A $10,000 scholarship awarded annually to students from underrepresented backgrounds at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC).
• The Martin Roche Travel Scholarship: Established in 1926, this grant allows architecture students to pursue independent travel and research abroad, bringing vital global insights back to the Chicago practice.
• Emerging Professionals & Community Grants: Funding and mentorship programs designed to support the transition from student to licensed architect while fueling community-led design projects throughout Chicago.

The AIA Chicago Foundation invites members of the architecture community and the public to join Wintrust in this investment. Contributions ensure that the next generation of designers has the support required to build a more equitable and innovative city.

To learn more about the Foundation’s work or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit aiachicago.org/foundation.

Special thanks to Wintrust for their donation of the Billboard space, and to Mercedes-Benz of Chicago for allowing us access to their rooftop for photography and videography.

Check out the Billboard:

The AIA Chicago Foundation Billboard is on the Kennedy Expressway near North Avenue during April 2026, every day from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, and 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM. Google Maps Link to Location

About the AIA Chicago Foundation The AIA Chicago Foundation is a 504(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the architectural community through scholarships, awards, and grants. By investing in students and emerging professionals, the Foundation seeks to ensure the continued excellence and diversity of the architectural profession in Chicago.