Today we’d like to introduce you to Gregg Kobelinski.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Gregg. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The Copernicus Center is owned and operated by the Copernicus Foundation. The Copernicus Foundation was founded in 1971 by my father and a group of like-minded Chicagoan’s who saw the need for a Polish cultural center in Chicago. By 1997 the Foundation had purchased the old Gateway Theater, built in 1930 as the first theater in Chicago for the talking movies. Unfortunately the Foundation found itself near bankruptcy – suffering from the cost of repairing an older building and the debt accumulated in acquiring the building.
Through tremendous efforts of the Board of Directors and some very generous donors, the financial condition of the Foundation had stabilized to an extent where its existence was not threatened but still unstable. In 2000 I was elected President of the Foundation and proceeded to expand its activities to include multi-ethnic constituents.
By the year 2008 the Foundation had repaid most of its debts and started on a remodeling and rebuilding track. Since 2008 I served as Managing Director with day-to-day oversight on the operations of the Foundation. The Copernicus Center now plays host to over 15 different ethnic groups and has activities at the Center over 330 days year. The Center purchased an adjacent 10,000 square-foot industrial building and turned it into an Annex facility with offices, meeting rooms and warehouse space to serve the theater.
The Copernicus Foundation is now completely debt-free with assets of over $8 million and has done over $250,000 of underwriting for each of the past seven years. The Foundation continues to look to expand to better serve the Polish American community as well as the entire northwest side of Chicago.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Through the early years the struggles were primarily financial. Later as stability was achieved the struggles were primarily to reach out to other ethnic communities take advantage of the assets the Foundation had to offer.
The continual upgrading of an old building and the delicate balance of acquiring enough funds to keep upgrading the facility was an exciting challenge.
Copernicus Center – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are a community center, sponsored by the Polish community, supporting cultural activities of not-for-profit and artistic groups from the northwest side of Chicago and all around the world.
We are known as one of the most beautiful atmospheric theaters in the city of Chicago.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success by what I have been able to achieve in carrying on my father’s legacy and in helping the community around me. As often happens, with success come those that would like to claim responsibility for things they had little to do with and received accolades.
These are not important. What is important is the satisfaction of knowing what is been achieved through my efforts and those working with me. I’ve had a great team to work with and I’m proud of the fact that they feel my leadership had a tremendous amount to do with where we find ourselves today.
Pricing:
Contact Info:
- Address: 5216 W. Lawrence Ave.
- Website: www.CoperncusCenter.org
- Phone: 7733139145
- Email: Director@CopernicusCenter.org
