The Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee concentrates its giving on building labor power and worker organizing across the Midwest, with heavy support for construction/trades laborers' unions and allied worker advocacy groups. Grants fund direct organizing at the local-union level, region-wide district councils, and political/ballot campaigns to expand worker rights. The foundation favors operational and organizing grants (including multi-grant packages) rather than narrowly restricted program pilots.
A defining feature of the Great Lakes Region Organizing Committee’s recent giving is its large-scale support for laborers’ district councils and local unions across the Midwest. The biggest grant in the data went to Michigan Laborers' District Council for $2,250,000 in 2025, and similar support also reached the Minnesotanorth Dakota Laborers District Council and Wisconsin Laborers' District Council in the same year. That pattern points to a funder that backs worker organizing at both regional and local levels rather than funding one-off projects. The committee also supports electoral and coalition-based worker-rights efforts. In 2023, it gave $1,007,500 to Vote Yes for Workers Rights in Chicago, and it made additional general-support grants to labor coalitions and worker-aligned groups such as All for Justice and Laborers Pacific Southwest Regional Organizing Coalition. Local union grants appear repeatedly, especially across Illinois, with multiple awards to Laborers' Local Union 582 in Elgin and to unions in Chicago, Brookfield, Lombard, and other Illinois cities. The overall pattern is consistent with organizing grants, general support, and grants and assistance for labor infrastructure.
Construction and laborers’ unions are a central theme in the committee’s giving. It awarded $2,250,000 to Michigan Laborers' District Council for grants and assistance, and also funded the Minnesotanorth Dakota Laborers District Council and Wisconsin Laborers' District Council for the same purpose. Local union organizing is another recurring area. Grants went to Laborers' Local Union 1035 in Marengo for an organizing grant, and to Laborers' Local Union 582 in Elgin in both 2024 and 2025. The committee also backs worker-rights campaigns and allied advocacy. It gave $1,007,500 to Vote Yes for Workers Rights for general support, and $200,000 to All for Justice in Chicago for general support. In a related channel, it supported Laborers Pacific Southwest Regional Organizing Coalition in Covina and El Monte.
The typical grant size is clustered around larger awards: p25 is $17,500, while both the median and p75 are $100,000. That spread reflects a mix of smaller organizing grants and substantial district-council support. The recent record also shows repeat recipients across multiple years, including Michigan Laborers' District Council, Wisconsin Laborers' District Council, and Laborers' Local Union 582. The foundation is a nonprofit funder with no individual grants and no program-related investments listed. Its recent awards are mostly labeled grants and assistance, organizing grants, or general support.
$6M
$48.5M
$18.9M
$16.4M
Most grants fall between $18K and $100K, with a median of $100K.
25th Percentile
$18K
Median
$100K
75th Percentile
$100K
TERRENCE M HEALY
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Concentrated, high-dollar giving focused on a core set of repeat institutional grantees (district councils and many local union branches) combined with targeted multi-year or multiple grants; a mix of very large awards to a few lead organizations and numerous standardized organizing grants to many local affiliates.
Notable grantees: Michigan Laborers' District Council, Minnesota-North Dakota Laborers District Council, Vote Yes for Workers Rights, CTUL (Centro de Trabajadores Unidos en Lucha)
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Illinois, which accounts for 73% of grants to recipients in the HQ state and is also the top state by grant count. Chicago appears repeatedly, including grants to Vote Yes for Workers Rights, All for Justice, Laborers' Local Union 76, Laborers' Local Union 1, Laborers' Local Union 4, and Laborers' Local Union 1001. Other Illinois recipients include Elgin, Marengo, Brookfield, Lombard, Highland Park, Willow Springs, Chicago Heights, and Crest Hill. Outside Illinois, grants also went to Lansing, St Paul, DeForest, Covina, and El Monte. All recent grants in the data were made to U.S. recipients.
It funds laborers’ district councils, local unions, worker-rights campaigns, and allied worker advocacy groups. Recent examples include Michigan Laborers' District Council, Laborers' Local Union 582, Vote Yes for Workers Rights, and All for Justice.
The grant-size profile is weighted toward larger awards: p25 is $17,500, the median is $100,000, and p75 is also $100,000. That suggests many awards are at or near the $100,000 level, with some smaller organizing grants below that.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Michigan Laborers' District Council in 2023 and 2025, Wisconsin Laborers' District Council in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Laborers' Local Union 582 in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The giving is regional and concentrated in Illinois. Illinois is the top state by grant count, and 73% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Chicago appears often, along with other Illinois cities such as Elgin, Marengo, Brookfield, Lombard, and Willow Springs.
The recent awards are largely framed as grants and assistance, organizing grants, contribution - general support, or unrestricted-style support for labor infrastructure and campaigns. The pattern favors operating and organizing support rather than narrowly scoped pilot funding.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICHIGAN LABORERS' DISTRICT COUNCIL | LANSING, MI | $2,250,000 | 2025 | GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE |
| MINNESOTANORTH DAKOTA LABORERS DISTRICT COUNCIL | ST PAUL, MN | $935,500 | 2025 | GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE |
| WISCONSIN LABORERS' DISTRICT COUNCIL | DEFOREST, WI | $891,500 | 2025 | GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE |
| LABORERS PACIFIC SOUTHWEST REGIONAL ORGANIZING COALITION | COVINA, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 582 | ELGIN, IL | $100,300 | 2025 | ORGANIZING GRANT & CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 68 | LOMBARD, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 225 | WILLOW SPRINGS, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 1092 | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 1001 | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 1 | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 1035 | MARENGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 5 | CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 6 | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 76 | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 75 | CREST HILL, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 2 | BROOKFIELD, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 152 | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 4 | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' DISTRICT COUNCIL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | BURR RIDGE, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CTUL | MINNEAPOLIS, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ILLINOIS DELIVERS | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LABORERS CARE | SPARTA, TN | $15,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF LABOR | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ILLINOIS AFL-CIO COPE | SPRINGFIELD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LIUNA AFRICAN AMERICAN CAUCUS | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LIUNA LATINO CAUCUS | SACRAMENTO, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DISTRIT COUNCIL OF LABORERS | COVINA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 363 | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LIUNA WOMEN'S CAUCUS | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HELMETS TO HARDHATS | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MICHIGAN LABORERS' SCHOLARSHIP FUND | LANSING, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE GROUND HOG CLUB | CHICAGO, IL | $8,810 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE JESSE WHITE FOUNDATION | CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL | $7,500 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO LABORERS' DISTRICT COUNCIL | BURR RIDGE, IL | $6,500 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WISCONSIN LABORERS' DISTRICT COUNCIL | DEFOREST, WI | $245,000 | 2024 | GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE |
| MICHIGAN LABORERS' DISTRICT COUNCIL | LANSING, MI | $190,000 | 2024 | GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 582 | ELGIN, IL | $100,300 | 2024 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 1001 | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 2 | BROOKFIELD, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 76 | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 75 | CREST HILL, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 6 | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 5 | CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 68 | LOMBARD, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 1092 | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 152 | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 225 | WILLOW SPRINGS, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 1 | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
| LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 4 | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | ORGANIZING GRANT |
MICHIGAN LABORERS' DISTRICT COUNCIL
$2,250,000GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE
MINNESOTANORTH DAKOTA LABORERS DISTRICT COUNCIL
$935,500GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE
WISCONSIN LABORERS' DISTRICT COUNCIL
$891,500GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE
LABORERS PACIFIC SOUTHWEST REGIONAL ORGANIZING COALITION
$250,000CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 582
$100,300ORGANIZING GRANT & CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 68
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 225
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 1092
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 1001
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 1
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 1035
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 5
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 6
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 76
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 75
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 2
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 152
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 4
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' DISTRICT COUNCIL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$30,000CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
$20,000CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
ILLINOIS DELIVERS
$20,000CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
LABORERS CARE
$15,000CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF LABOR
$10,000CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
ILLINOIS AFL-CIO COPE
$10,000CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
LIUNA AFRICAN AMERICAN CAUCUS
$10,000CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
LIUNA LATINO CAUCUS
$10,000CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DISTRIT COUNCIL OF LABORERS
$10,000CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 363
$10,000CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
LIUNA WOMEN'S CAUCUS
$10,000CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
HELMETS TO HARDHATS
$10,000CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
MICHIGAN LABORERS' SCHOLARSHIP FUND
$10,000CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
THE GROUND HOG CLUB
$8,810CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
CHICAGO LABORERS' DISTRICT COUNCIL
$6,500CONTRIBUTION - GENERAL SUPPORT
WISCONSIN LABORERS' DISTRICT COUNCIL
$245,000GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE
MICHIGAN LABORERS' DISTRICT COUNCIL
$190,000GRANTS AND ASSISTANCE
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 582
$100,300ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 1001
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 2
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 76
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 75
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 6
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 5
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 68
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 1092
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 152
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 225
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 1
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT
LABORERS' LOCAL UNION 4
$100,000ORGANIZING GRANT