A staple in Chicago, The Shedd Aquarium provides countless learning opportunities for city residents and visitors to spark compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic animal world. The IDP Foundation is happy to provide the support needed to give the best experience to the nearly two million visitors that come to the Shedd per year.

This year, the Shedd Aquarium is focused on educating the public specifically on conservation efforts to protect the waterways for future generations. Underwater Beauty, a special exhibit highlighting the diverse beauty of the aquatic world, opened in May of this year. The hope for Underwater Beauty is to inspire visitors to have a greater appreciation for all of the beauty living in our oceans and a motivation to conserve it.

Similarly, the Shedd is hosting the Washed Ashore: Art to Save the Sea traveling exhibit. The exhibit seeks to raise awareness of the critical issues facing the waters of the world. The art pieces are all constructed of plastic beach debris showing the devastating effects of the 315 billion pounds of plastic in our oceans today. The Washed Ashore exhibit has been traveling across the nation and is making its final installation at the Shedd until September.

At the IDP Foundation, we believe in using our philanthropic dollars as catalytic capital. Our contributions to the Shedd Aquarium have helped continue their important work toward a world thriving with aquatic life sustained by people who love, understand, and protect it.