FEATURE STORY
Photo credit: Mary Ottoson
Richard Driehaus on
Architecture and Philanthropy
Richard Driehaus (r.) and Gianfranco Grande, Director of Partners for Sacred Places’ Chicago
Office, discuss architecture, city planning, and philanthropy at the Ransom R. Cable House, an 1886
Richardsonian Romanesque-style residence built for the president of the Rock Island and Pacific Railway
company and now corporate headquarters for Driehaus Securities and Driehaus Capital Management.
S
acred Places readers may recognize the name Richard Driehaus from his work in the investment management
industry. He is the founder, Chief Investment Officer, and Chairman of Driehaus Capital Management; the
Chairman of Driehaus Securities; and President of the Driehaus Mutual Funds. Some may know him from the
Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, which benefits individuals and communities by providing grants that enhance the
built and natural environment through historic preservation, that encourage quality architectural and landscape
design, and that conserve open space.
However, each of these facts portrays only one aspect of Richard Driehaus. He is man who has taken his investment
savvy and parlayed it into considerable financial success, but then used it to benefit myriad causes, which include
education, architecture, preservation, and the arts. He believes in helping people develop the tools to be successful
themselves, and he supports those causes personally and through his foundation. He has been a supporter of church
heritage and Partners for Sacred Places for the past twenty years; he helped fund the opening of Partners’ Chicago
Office, and he supports its ongoing operation.
Gianfranco Grande, Director of the Chicago Office, sat down with Richard for this interview. Their lively
conversation covered topics from city planning and decorative arts to Richard’s favorite Chicago buildings and his
views on philanthropy.
13 • Sacred Places • www.sacredplaces.org • Fall 2010