The Mansueto Foundation concentrates large, strategic gifts to major Chicago institutions that advance public learning, civic leadership, journalism, and medical care. Their portfolio favors high-profile cultural and educational institutions (e.g., Shedd Aquarium), leading healthcare systems (Northwestern), public media (WBEZ), and civic legacy/leadership projects (Barack Obama Foundation). Grants are few but substantial and often directed to place-based, institution-building initiatives rather than many small programs.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of long-standing, high-profile Chicago institutions; several repeat or multi-part gifts to the same organizations rather than broad, small-scale giving.
The Mansueto Foundation’s recent giving is shaped by repeated large grants to a small set of Chicago institutions. In 2025, it awarded $2 million to Northwestern Memorial Foundation for general support and another $2 million to Shedd Aquarium Society for general support, continuing a pattern of substantial unrestricted funding. The foundation also backed public media and civic leadership at scale, including $1 million to WBEZ Chicago Public Media in 2023 and $1,984,106 to The Barack Obama Foundation in 2023, both for general support. Its portfolio points to place-based institutional support rather than broad, dispersed grantmaking. Recent grants also include Chicago organizations tied to education, public policy, and community services, such as North Austin Community Center, Change Illinois, and Noble Network of Charter Schools. The foundation’s giving is mostly directed to established institutions with operating needs, and the repeated appearance of general support suggests flexibility rather than project-specific restrictions. Several grants recur across years, which indicates ongoing relationships with select grantees rather than one-time awards.
Education is one visible thread in the Mansueto Foundation’s grantmaking. It gave $700,000 in 2025 and $525,000 in 2023 to Teach For America Inc, both for general support. It also awarded $150,000 in 2025 to College Possible and $112,500 in 2025 to Noble Network of Charter Schools, again as general support. The foundation also supports civic and policy-oriented work. In 2025, it gave $600,000 to Illinois Policy Instituate for general support, and it awarded $200,000 in 2025 to Better Government Association. Public media is another consistent area: WBEZ Chicago Public Media received $1,000,000 in 2025, and Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association Inc received $500,000 in 2025. These grants point to interest in education, journalism, and public affairs infrastructure.
Typical grant size is concentrated at the upper end: p25 is $9,359, median is $25,000, and p75 is $100,000. The recent list also shows several multi-year relationships, including repeated general-support grants to Northwestern Memorial, Shedd Aquarium Society, WBEZ Chicago Public Media, Teach For America Inc, College Possible, Better Government Association, Change Illinois, and Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund. Mansueto Foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The grant language across the list is overwhelmingly general support, indicating flexible operating support rather than project-restricted funding.
$9.8M
$49.4M
$15.4M
$10.1M
Most grants fall between $9K and $100K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$100K
Top 7 recipient countries by grant volume for Mansueto Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 158 | $31.3M | 94.6% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | 2 |
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Notable grantees: Shedd Aquarium Society, Northwestern Memorial Foundation / Northwestern Memorial Healthcare, WBEZ / Chicago Public Media, The Barack Obama Foundation
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Illinois: 60% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Chicago is the clearest center of activity, with major grants to Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Shedd Aquarium Society, WBEZ Chicago Public Media, North Austin Community Center, and the Better Government Association. Outside Illinois, the foundation gives most often in New York, with grants to Teach For America Inc and Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund. The recipient country mix is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with only small numbers of grants outside the country, including Japan, Asia, France, The Gambia, the United Kingdom, and Italy.
The recent grants point to hospitals and medical systems, public media, education organizations, civic and policy groups, and cultural institutions. Examples include Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Shedd Aquarium Society, WBEZ Chicago Public Media, Teach For America Inc, and the Barack Obama Foundation, all funded for general support.
Yes. The recent grants are largely labeled general support, including large awards to Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Shedd Aquarium Society, The Barack Obama Foundation, WBEZ Chicago Public Media, and Teach For America Inc. The pattern suggests flexible funding for core organizational needs.
The grant-size distribution is skewed toward larger awards, with p25 at $9,359, a median of $25,000, and p75 at $100,000. Recent grants also include several multimillion-dollar awards, showing that the foundation combines many smaller grants with a few very large ones.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Northwestern Memorial, Shedd Aquarium Society, WBEZ Chicago Public Media, Teach For America Inc, College Possible, Better Government Association, Change Illinois, and Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund. That pattern indicates ongoing relationships rather than one-time grants.
Most grants go to Illinois recipients, with 60% of grants in the HQ state. Chicago accounts for many of the named recipients in the recent list, while New York is the top state by grant count outside Illinois.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
| $252K |
1.2% |
| 3 | Japan | 2 | $10K | 1.2% |
| 4 | Australia | 2 | $5K | 1.2% |
| 5 | France | 1 | $3K | 0.6% |
| 6 | Italy | 1 | $3K | 0.6% |
| 7 | Germany | 1 | $680 | 0.6% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WBEZCHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA | CHICAGO, FL | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $700,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ILLINOIS POLICY INSTITUATE | CHICAGO, IL | $600,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NORTH AUSTIN COMMUNITY CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREATER WASHINGTON EDUCATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION INC | ARLINGTON, VA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MEEDAN INC | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COLLEGE POSSIBLE | SAINT PAUL, MN | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NOBLE NETWORK OF CHARTER SCHOOLS | CHICAGO, IL | $112,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY SUPPORT FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MUNSTER EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC | MUNSTER, IN | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO FIRE FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RENAISSANCE SOCIETY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHANGE ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION | NEWARK, DE | $88,138 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UK ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION | LONDON, UN | $86,709 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $70,374 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO MATHMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COMMERCIAL CLUB FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| DEPAUL COLLEGE PREP FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| START EARLY (FKA OUNCE OF PREVENTION FUND) | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BY THE HAND CLUB FOR KIDS | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY | ARLINGTON, VA | $48,427 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRANCIS W PARKER SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HIGH JUMP | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OPENLANDS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,798 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ONEGOAL | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED WAY OF METRO CHICAGO INC | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BRAVEN | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TUTORING CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRANCISCAN OUTREACH | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AZIRA MICHAEL YOUTH FOUNDATION | PENSACOLA, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LINCOLN PARK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| PARTNERS IN HEALTH A NONPROFIT CORPORATION | BOSTON, MA | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NOURISHING HOPE | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YWCA METROPOLITAN CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $11,120 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW LEADERS CHICAGO | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR NONVIOLENCE CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $6,798 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW YORK COMMON PANTRY | NEW YORK, NY | $5,466 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY YEAR INC | BOSTOM, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SKILLS FOR CHICAGOLAND'S FUTURE | CHICAGO, IL | $3,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$2,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WBEZCHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT
GENERAL SUPPORT
MUNSTER EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UK ONLINE GIVING FOUNDATION
$86,709GENERAL SUPPORT
CHICAGO MATHMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MAYO CLINIC
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRANCIS W PARKER SCHOOL
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNITED WAY OF METRO CHICAGO INC
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
FRANCISCAN OUTREACH
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AZIRA MICHAEL YOUTH FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CHICAGO
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INC
$6,798GENERAL SUPPORT
SKILLS FOR CHICAGOLAND'S FUTURE
$3,000GENERAL SUPPORT