BY TER STAFF

Recently stricken by city budget constraints, the Chicago community organization Donda’s House has received a record donation from its co-founder, Kanye West. Donating a portion of his proceeds from his recent Louis Vuitton Foundation concert series, Kanye gave over $133,000 to the organization named after his late mother. This marks the highest donation since Donda’s House‘s inception. Speaking on the donation, Donnie Smith (Executive Director of Donda’s House) told press, “Kanye’s generosity is greatly appreciated and will improve our capacity with new staff as we deliver the high-quality arts programming that our participants deserve.”

Kanye’s longtime friend and collaborator Che “Rhymefest” Smith, the Creative Director of Donda’s House, also shared kind words. “I really cannot thank Kanye enough for this incredible contribution. His leadership has enabled Donda’s House to grow quickly and impact the lives of over 160 of Chicago’s young people already in our short history. This is a great honor and a true tribute to his mother’s legacy, who did so much for young artists.”

Donda’s House, which launched in 2013, preserves the arts for Chicago’s youth through its various programs. The organization’s “Got Bars” program brings aspiring artists together for an intensive 12-week program involving creative writing, studio recording, and health & wellness education. Donda’s House has served 160 artists between the ages of 14 – 24 years old in Chicago, and that number will only grow with Kanye’s contribution.

Learn more about Donda’s House at its official website, and check out our photos from Kanye West’s 2014 performance at Donda’s House and the Common Ground Foundation‘s AAHH! Fest.