The Edwardson Family Foundation makes a small number of large, unrestricted grants concentrated in the Chicago area despite its Florida address. Its giving prioritizes higher education and research institutions, major health care providers, and regional hunger relief — typically providing general operating support to established nonprofits.
Very concentrated: four large grants totaling $2.1M, including repeat multi-grant support to a single flagship institution (University of Chicago). Grants are few, sizeable, often for general operating support, and geographically focused on Chicago-area organizations.
A 2025 general-operations grant of $713,182 to the University of Chicago stands out in the Edwardson Family Foundation’s recent giving and captures its style: large, unrestricted support for established institutions. Across the latest grants on file, the foundation backs universities, hospitals, food banks, housing groups, cultural institutions, and civic organizations, often with operating support rather than project-only awards. Its largest recent awards are paired with recurring support for the same organizations over multiple years, including the University of Chicago, Greater Chicago Food Depository, and Rush University Medical Center. That pattern suggests a funder that favors core capacity and institutional stability over short-term program pilots. The foundation’s portfolio also reaches beyond higher education and health care into practical community needs. Habitat for Humanity, Lutheran Social Services, American Red Cross, Lincoln Park Zoo, and Advance Illinois all appear in the recent-grants list, each receiving general-operations funding. Several grants are concentrated in Chicago, but the portfolio is not limited to one sector or one type of nonprofit. The common thread is broad, flexible support for organizations already operating at scale, with the foundation using unrestricted grants as its main giving tool.
Higher education is a central theme in the Edwardson Family Foundation’s recent giving. The University of Chicago received $713,182 in 2025 for general operations, and Purdue University received $296,962 in 2023 for general operations. Health care and medical support is another clear area. Rush University Medical Center was awarded $400,000 in 2025 and $200,000 in 2024, both for general operations. Boca Grande Health Clinic Foundation also received $265,000 in 2025 for general operations, showing that the foundation supports both major medical centers and local health services. The foundation also funds food security and housing work. Greater Chicago Food Depository received $555,818 in 2023 for general operations, while Chicago Habitat for Humanity received $200,000 in 2023 and $100,000 in 2025, both for general operations. These gifts point to a preference for operational support in essential services.
$5.7M
$77.6M
$8.3M
$6.1M
Most grants fall between $5K and $35K, with a median of $13K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$13K
75th Percentile
$35K
About 19% of grants go to recipients in IL.
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Notable grantees: University of Chicago, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Rush University Medical Center
Typical grant size is moderate to large, with a p25 of $5,000, a median of $12,625, and a p75 of $35,000. The recent-grants list also shows repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, including the University of Chicago, Rush University Medical Center, Habitat for Humanity, Opportunity International, Inter Varsity Christian Foundation, Lutheran Social Services, American Red Cross, Lincoln Park Zoo, Advance Illinois, and Chicago Habitat for Humanity. That repetition points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts. The foundation is a private family foundation and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The grants shown are overwhelmingly general-operations support.
Grants are national in scope, but the strongest concentration is in Illinois, which accounts for the largest share of recipient locations. Chicago appears most often in the recent-grants list, with additional Illinois recipients in Oak Brook and Evanston. Outside Illinois, the foundation has also given to organizations in Americus, Georgia; West Lafayette, Indiana; Madison and Platteville, Wisconsin; and Jamestown, New York. Recipients are all in the United States, with 156 grants recorded to U.S. organizations.
The recent grants show support for universities, hospitals, food security groups, housing nonprofits, cultural institutions, civic organizations, and faith-based or service organizations. Examples in the data include higher education, medical care, hunger relief, housing, and general community support, most often through general-operations grants.
Yes. The grant descriptions in the recent list are overwhelmingly labeled general operations, and the existing summary describes the foundation as providing general operating support to established nonprofits. That pattern appears across universities, hospitals, food banks, housing groups, and cultural organizations.
Illinois is the top state by grant count. Chicago is the most frequent recipient city in the recent-grants list, with additional Illinois recipients in Oak Brook and Evanston. The foundation’s grants also reach organizations in Georgia, Indiana, Wisconsin, and New York.
The foundation’s typical grant size centers on a p25 of $5,000, a median of $12,625, and a p75 of $35,000. The recent-grants list also includes much larger operating grants, including a $713,182 award and several gifts in the $200,000 to $400,000 range.
Yes. Several organizations appear more than once across the recent-grants list, including the University of Chicago, Rush University Medical Center, Habitat for Humanity, Opportunity International, Inter Varsity Christian Foundation, Lutheran Social Services, American Red Cross, Lincoln Park Zoo, Advance Illinois, and Chicago Habitat for Humanity.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAVINIA FESTIVAL | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $1,485,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $555,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ADVANCE ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $340,343 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FAMILY PROMISE OF THE PALOUSE | MOSCOW, ID | $312,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC FOUNDATION | BOCA GRANDE, FL | $265,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL | OAK BROOK, IL | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| INTER VARSITY CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION | MADISON, WI | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | AMERICUS, GA | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BOCA GRANDE COMMUNITY | BOCA GRANDE, FL | $250,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | CHICAGO, IL | $225,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES | JAMESTOWN, NY | $200,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CHICAGO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LEARN CHARTER SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| COACH HOUSE SOLUTIONS | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LINCOLN PARK ZOO | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WTTW | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| PHI GAMMA DELTA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | LEXINGTON, KY | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FARAJA FUND FOUNDATION | GLENVIEW, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO | EVANSTON, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GICIA | BOCA GRANDE, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ERICA'S LIGHTHOUSE | WINNETKA, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| HARRY CHAPIN FOOD BANK | FORT MYERS, FL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CATHOLIC EXTENSION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITY LAB | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NATIONAL IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LATINO POLICY INSTITUTE | PROVIDENCE, RI | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| BOCA GRANDE WOMEN'S CLUB | BOCA GRANDE, FL | $24,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| WRITER'S THEATRE | GLENCOE, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| DYSPHONIA INTERNATIONAL | ITASCA, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| ISLAND SCHOOL FOUNDATION | BOCA GRANDE, FL | $17,750 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| IMPACT GLOBAL | QUINCY, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| MADONNA MISSION | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| KENILWORTH UNION CHURCH | KENILWORTH, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LIGHTHOUSE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF BOCA GRANDE | BOCA GRANDE, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| EVANS SCHOLARS | GLENVIEW, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| UROLOGICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION | MANCHESTER, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| G-PAC | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| FAIR MAPS | OKEMOS, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GLENVIEW CLUB SCHOLARSHIP FUND | GOLF, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CAPTAINS FOR CLEAN WATER | FORT MYERS, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| OPERATION SMILE | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
RAVINIA FESTIVAL
$1,485,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
$555,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ADVANCE ILLINOIS
$340,343GENERAL OPERATIONS
FAMILY PROMISE OF THE PALOUSE
$312,500GENERAL OPERATIONS
BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC FOUNDATION
$265,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL
$250,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
INTER VARSITY CHRISTIAN FOUNDATION
$250,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
$250,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$250,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
BOCA GRANDE COMMUNITY
$250,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
AMERICAN RED CROSS
$225,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES
$200,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
CHICAGO HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$100,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
$100,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA
$50,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
LEARN CHARTER SCHOOL
$50,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
COACH HOUSE SOLUTIONS
$50,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
LINCOLN PARK ZOO
$50,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
WTTW
$50,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
PHI GAMMA DELTA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION
$30,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FARAJA FUND FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
GICIA
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ERICA'S LIGHTHOUSE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
HARRY CHAPIN FOOD BANK
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
CATHOLIC EXTENSION
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITY LAB
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
NATIONAL IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CENTER
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
LATINO POLICY INSTITUTE
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
TEACH FOR AMERICA
$25,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
BOCA GRANDE WOMEN'S CLUB
$24,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
WRITER'S THEATRE
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
DYSPHONIA INTERNATIONAL
$20,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
ISLAND SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$17,750GENERAL OPERATIONS
IMPACT GLOBAL
$15,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
MADONNA MISSION
$15,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
KENILWORTH UNION CHURCH
$15,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CHICAGO
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
LIGHTHOUSE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF BOCA GRANDE
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
EVANS SCHOLARS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
UROLOGICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
G-PAC
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
FAIR MAPS
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
GLENVIEW CLUB SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
JAMESTOWN FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
CAPTAINS FOR CLEAN WATER
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS
OPERATION SMILE
$5,000GENERAL OPERATIONS