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    3. 36 Foundation

    36 Foundation

    ActiveUnknown
    Hobe Sound, FL3129331167EIN: 36-42015004 filings on record

    About 36 Foundation

    The 36 Foundation concentrates philanthropic support in the Chicago metro area, funding a mix of neighborhood human services, education, civic institutions and cultural organizations. Their largest investments go to community-centered service providers and place-based intermediaries (community trusts, public media, community houses), while also supporting K–12 and higher education and a few cultural/green institutions. Grants are often unrestricted program support, suggesting flexible general operating funding rather than project-specific gifts.

    Focus Areas

    Neighborhood human services in Chicago (e.g., community centers and direct social services)Chicago-area civic infrastructure and community foundations (general operating support)Catholic and other K–12 school support in Chicago (e.g., Big Shoulders Fund)Public media and cultural institutions in Chicago (e.g., WTTW, Chicago Botanic Gardens)Higher education support (select university and college unrestricted gifts)

    Who They Fund

    not specified

    Giving Approach

    Concentrated, regionally focused giving with a small number of mid-size unrestricted grants; several repeat grants to the same Chicago-area organizations indicate relationship-driven, flexible operating support rather than many one-off national grants.

    About 36 Foundation

    A $101,000 grant to Howard Area Community Center in Chicago stands out in 36 Foundation Inc’s recent giving and signals the foundation’s emphasis on community-based support in the Chicago metro area. Across its grants, the foundation backs neighborhood human services, education, civic infrastructure, and cultural institutions, with most awards landing in Illinois and a smaller share in Florida. The recent record shows a mix of large anchor gifts and many smaller unrestricted awards, which points to a flexible approach rather than a single-program strategy. Chicago-area intermediaries and community institutions appear repeatedly. Chicago Community Trust received $25,000 grants in both 2024 and 2025, while WTTW and Winnetka Community House also each appear in consecutive years at the $25,000 level. The foundation also supports school-related and higher-education organizations, along with select cultural and public-serving groups such as Chicago Botanic Gardens, Millennium Park, and Free Spirit Media. In Florida, it has also granted to Loblollypop Foundation, linking the funder’s activity to its headquarters region while keeping its main giving focus centered in Illinois.

    What 36 Foundation Funds

    Neighborhood human services are a clear part of the portfolio. In 2024, 36 Foundation Inc gave $101,000 to Howard Area Community Center in Chicago, and in 2024 it also provided $5,000 to Homan Square Community Center in Chicago. Education support runs from K–12 to college. The foundation gave $30,000 to Big Shoulders Fund in 2024 and $5,000 to Chicago High School for the Arts in 2025, while also awarding $15,000 to University of Chicago in 2023 and 2025 and $15,000 to Williams College in 2025. Civic and cultural organizations are another recurring theme. Chicago Council on Global Affairs received $15,000 in 2024, Chicago Botanic Gardens received $15,000 in 2024, and Art Institute of Chicago received $5,000 in 2024. Public-facing service groups such as Journey Care and Lurie Childrens Foundation also appear in the recent grants list.

    How 36 Foundation Gives

    Grant sizes cluster around modest gifts, with a p25 of $1,000, a median of $2,000, and a p75 of $10,000. The recent list also includes a handful of larger anchor grants at $25,000, $30,000, and $101,000, showing a pattern of smaller support supplemented by a few larger commitments. The same organizations often appear across multiple years, including Chicago Community Trust, WTTW, Winnetka Community House, Journey Care, Big Shoulders, Millennium Park, and Loblollypop Foundation. The funding profile is consistent with unrestricted and non-restricted general support, rather than project-specific grants. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $571K

    Total Assets

    $311K

    Total Revenue

    $714

    Total Expenses

    $114K

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $1K and $10K, with a median of $2K.

    25th Percentile

    $1K

    Median

    $2K

    75th Percentile

    $10K

    Geographic Reach

    Regional3 states funded

    About 10% of grants go to recipients in IL.

    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

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    Funding Style

    unrestricted / general operating supportflexible fundingnon-restricted fundingcore support (not earmarked to projects)

    Notable grantees: Howard Area Community Center, Chicago Community Trust, WTTW, Big Shoulders Fund, Chicago Botanic Gardens

    Topics

    sector-agnostic / not program-specificno programmatic restrictionsgeneral philanthropic support

    Where 36 Foundation Makes Grants

    Giving is concentrated in Illinois, which accounts for the largest share of grants, while 10% of grants go to recipients in Florida. Chicago is the clearest center of activity, with recipient locations including Howard Area Community Center, WTTW, Chicago Community Trust, University of Chicago, and Millennium Park. Other Illinois recipients include Winnetka, Glencoe, Kenilworth, and Golf. Outside Illinois, the recent record includes Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, but all listed grants in the country distribution are to U.S. recipients.

    Frequently Asked Questions About 36 Foundation

    What kinds of organizations does 36 Foundation Inc support?

    Its recent grants include neighborhood human services, education, civic and cultural institutions, and community intermediaries. Examples from the record include Howard Area Community Center, Big Shoulders Fund, Chicago Community Trust, WTTW, Chicago Botanic Gardens, and University of Chicago.

    What is the typical grant size?

    Typical awards are modest: the grant-size distribution shows a p25 of $1,000, a median of $2,000, and a p75 of $10,000. The recent list also includes larger gifts such as $25,000, $30,000, and a $101,000 grant.

    Does 36 Foundation Inc make recurring grants to the same organizations?

    Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Chicago Community Trust, WTTW, Winnetka Community House, Journey Care, Big Shoulders, Millennium Park, and Loblollypop Foundation. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts only.

    Where does 36 Foundation Inc give most often?

    Illinois is the top state by grant count, and Chicago is the main city in the recent grants list. Illinois recipients include organizations in Chicago, Winnetka, Glencoe, Kenilworth, and Golf, while 10% of grants go to recipients in Florida.

    Does 36 Foundation Inc fund outside the United States?

    No international recipients appear in the grant record provided. The country distribution shows 85 grants, all to U.S. recipients.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    Winnetka Community HouseWinnetka, IL$25,0002025Non restricted
    WTTWChicago, IL$25,0002025Non-restricted
    Chicago Community TrustChicago, IL$25,0002025Non restricted
    University of ChicagoChicago, IL$15,0002025Charitable
    Williams CollegeWilliamstown, MA$15,0002025Non restricted
    Millennium ParkChicago, IL$10,0002025Charitable
    Evans ScholarsGolf, IL$10,0002025Charitable
    Journey CareChicago, IL$10,0002025Charitable
    Loblollypop FoundationHobe Sound, FL$10,0002025Charitable
    Free Spirit MediaChicago, IL$5,0002025Charitable
    WinnetkaNorthfield United WayWinnetka, IL$5,0002025Charitable
    Lurie Childrens FoundationChicago, IL$5,0002025Charitable
    Chicago High School for the ArtsChicago, IL$5,0002025Charitable
    Shirley Ryan Ability LabChicago, IL$5,0002025Charitable
    Trinity United MethodistChicago, IL$5,0002025Non-restricted
    Kenilworth Union ChurchKenilworth, IL$4,5002025Charitable
    FenixChicago, IL$3,0002025Charitable
    Indian Hill Club ScholarshipWinnetka, IL$2,0002025Charitable
    FL Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL$2,0002025Charitable
    Boys and Girls ClubHobe Sound, FL$2,0002025Charitable
    United WayStuart, FL$2,0002025Charitable
    Chicago Botanical GardenGlencoe, IL$1,5002025Charitable
    Chicago Foundation for EducationChicago, IL$1,0002025Charitable
    Chicago Community TrustChicago, IL$1,0002025Charitable
    Winnetka Comminity HouseWinnetka, IL$1,0002025Charitable
    Chicago Council on Global AffairsChicago, IL$1,0002025Charitable
    Howard Area Community CenterChicago, IL$1,0002025Charitable
    Lawrence HallChicago, IL$1,0002025Charitable
    Brain ResearchChicago, IL$1,0002025Charitable
    Lincoln Park ZooChicago, IL$1,0002025Charitable
    Presbyterian Frontier FellowshipRichfield, MN$1,0002025Charitable
    Williams CollegeWilliamstown, MA$1,0002025Charitable
    Homan Square Community CenterChicago, ID$1,0002025Charitable
    Perspectives Charter SchoolChicago, IL$1,0002025Charitable
    WBEZChicago, IL$1,0002025Charitable
    Field MuseumChicago, IL$1,0002025Charitable
    Chicago Shakespeare TheatreChicago, IL$1,0002025Charitable
    Big Shoulders FundChicago, IL$1,0002025Charitable
    Art Institute of ChicagoChicago, IL$1,0002025Charitable
    Howard Area Community CenterChicago, IL$101,0002024Unestricted
    Big Shoulders FundChicago, IL$30,0002024Unrestricted
    Chicago Community TrustChicago, IL$25,0002024Unrestricted
    Winnetka Community HouseWinnetka, IL$25,0002024Unrestricted
    WTTWChicago, IL$25,0002024Unrestricted
    Chicago Botanic GardensGlencoe, IL$15,0002024Unrestricted
    Chicago Council on Global AffairsChicago, IL$15,0002024Unrestricted
    Journey CareChicago, IL$10,0002024Unrestricted
    Homan Square Community CenterChicago, IL$5,0002024Unrestricted
    Art Institute of ChicagoChicago, IL$5,0002024Unrestricted
    Loblollypop FoundationHobe Sound, FL$5,0002024unrestricted

    Winnetka Community House

    $25,000
    Winnetka, IL2025

    Non restricted

    WTTW

    $25,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Non-restricted

    Chicago Community Trust

    $25,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Non restricted

    University of Chicago

    $15,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Williams College

    $15,000
    Williamstown, MA2025

    Non restricted

    Millennium Park

    $10,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Evans Scholars

    $10,000
    Golf, IL2025

    Charitable

    Journey Care

    $10,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Loblollypop Foundation

    $10,000
    Hobe Sound, FL2025

    Charitable

    Free Spirit Media

    $5,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    WinnetkaNorthfield United Way

    $5,000
    Winnetka, IL2025

    Charitable

    Lurie Childrens Foundation

    $5,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Chicago High School for the Arts

    $5,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Shirley Ryan Ability Lab

    $5,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Trinity United Methodist

    $5,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Non-restricted

    Kenilworth Union Church

    $4,500
    Kenilworth, IL2025

    Charitable

    Fenix

    $3,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Indian Hill Club Scholarship

    $2,000
    Winnetka, IL2025

    Charitable

    FL Atlantic University

    $2,000
    Boca Raton, FL2025

    Charitable

    Boys and Girls Club

    $2,000
    Hobe Sound, FL2025

    Charitable

    United Way

    $2,000
    Stuart, FL2025

    Charitable

    Chicago Botanical Garden

    $1,500
    Glencoe, IL2025

    Charitable

    Chicago Foundation for Education

    $1,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Chicago Community Trust

    $1,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Winnetka Comminity House

    $1,000
    Winnetka, IL2025

    Charitable

    Chicago Council on Global Affairs

    $1,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Howard Area Community Center

    $1,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Lawrence Hall

    $1,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Brain Research

    $1,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Lincoln Park Zoo

    $1,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship

    $1,000
    Richfield, MN2025

    Charitable

    Williams College

    $1,000
    Williamstown, MA2025

    Charitable

    Homan Square Community Center

    $1,000
    Chicago, ID2025

    Charitable

    Perspectives Charter School

    $1,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    WBEZ

    $1,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Field Museum

    $1,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Chicago Shakespeare Theatre

    $1,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Big Shoulders Fund

    $1,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Art Institute of Chicago

    $1,000
    Chicago, IL2025

    Charitable

    Howard Area Community Center

    $101,000
    Chicago, IL2024

    Unestricted

    Big Shoulders Fund

    $30,000
    Chicago, IL2024

    Unrestricted

    Chicago Community Trust

    $25,000
    Chicago, IL2024

    Unrestricted

    Winnetka Community House

    $25,000
    Winnetka, IL2024

    Unrestricted

    WTTW

    $25,000
    Chicago, IL2024

    Unrestricted

    Chicago Botanic Gardens

    $15,000
    Glencoe, IL2024

    Unrestricted

    Chicago Council on Global Affairs

    $15,000
    Chicago, IL2024

    Unrestricted

    Journey Care

    $10,000
    Chicago, IL2024

    Unrestricted

    Homan Square Community Center

    $5,000
    Chicago, IL2024

    Unrestricted

    Art Institute of Chicago

    $5,000
    Chicago, IL2024

    Unrestricted

    Loblollypop Foundation

    $5,000
    Hobe Sound, FL2024

    unrestricted