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    Northwestern University

    ActiveRecreation & SportsMakes PRIs
    Evanston, ILWebsite8474913741

    About Northwestern University

    Northwestern is committed to excellent teaching, innovative research and the personal and intellectual growth of its students in a diverse academic community.

    Focus Areas

    BiosciencesDecarbonization / Renewable energy / SustainabilityData analytics and artificial intelligenceSocial sciences and global studiesCreative and performing artsEducationCommunity engagementInnovation & entrepreneurshipResearch commercialization

    Who They Fund

    research institutions (universities, labs)community organizationsnonprofit researchers and research teams

    About Northwestern University

    Northwestern University’s recent grantmaking is dominated by support of research activities, with large awards flowing to major universities and medical research institutions. The largest recent grant in the data is $13,803,028 to the University of Chicago for research activities, followed by $10,235,582 to the same institution in 2023. Another major recipient is the University of Illinois at Chicago, which received $6,085,469 in 2024 and $5,726,532 in 2023 for research activities. That pattern fits a foundation with substantial scale: annual grants total $331,897,390, and the asset base is $19,217,819,256. The giving profile also shows repeated support for research-intensive institutions across years, including Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Stanford University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Minnesota. Northwestern University’s own program pages reinforce that research support is central, with internal funding, seed awards, and commercialization-oriented initiatives alongside community-facing programs. The result is a funder that backs both institutional research infrastructure and selected campus- and neighborhood-based initiatives, with a clear emphasis on academic and applied research across disciplines.

    What Northwestern University Funds

    A central theme in Northwestern University’s grantmaking is biomedical and clinical research. In 2025, it gave $5,714,053 to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago for support of research activities, and the hospital appears repeatedly in the recent grants list. The foundation also supports university-based research at scale. It awarded $4,738,598 to Stanford University in 2025 and $2,634,124 to the University of California San Francisco in 2024, both for research activities. In the Midwest, Washington University in St. Louis received $3,037,995 in 2024 for the same purpose. Community-linked research support also appears in the data. Erie Family Health Center received $3,418,163 in 2025 for support of research activities, showing that Northwestern University funds research settings beyond traditional campus laboratories. Across these grants, the through-line is project-specific research support rather than unrestricted philanthropy.

    How Northwestern University Gives

    Typical grants are mid-sized but vary widely: the 25th percentile is $23,725, the median is $69,704, and the 75th percentile is $299,387. The recent grants list shows a strong pattern of repeat funding to the same institutions across multiple years, which points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off awards. Northwestern University is a regular funder, makes program-related investments, and funds organizations rather than individuals. The active programs also show mixed modes of support, including internal research funding, fellowship support, community grants, and commercialization resources; some programs accept unsolicited requests while others do not.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $122.4M

    Total Assets

    $19.2B

    Total Revenue

    $4.2B

    Total Expenses

    $3.9B

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $24K and $299K, with a median of $70K.

    25th Percentile

    $24K

    Median

    $70K

    75th Percentile

    $299K

    Geographic Reach

    National45 states funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    Michael H Schill

    President

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    EIN (Tax ID): 36-2167817Latest Form 990: 2025Total assets: $19.2B3 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
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    Funding Style

    research grantsproject-specific fundingorganizational research supportcommunity organization support

    Topics

    academic/basic researchapplied/practice-oriented researchresearch capacity buildingcommunity-based researchprogram evaluation and impact research

    Where Northwestern University Makes Grants

    Giving is national, but Illinois stands out as the top state by grant count, with 30% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Chicago is a major hub in the recent grants list, including the University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, and Erie Family Health Center. Other recipient cities include St. Louis, San Francisco, New York, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Houston, and Pittsburgh. All grants in the country distribution data went to U.S. recipients.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Northwestern University

    What does Northwestern University mainly fund?

    The recent grants data is dominated by support of research activities. Named recipients include the University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Stanford University, and Johns Hopkins University, showing a strong emphasis on university and medical research settings.

    What is the typical grant size?

    The grant-size distribution is broad. The 25th percentile is $23,725, the median is $69,704, and the 75th percentile is $299,387. That suggests many smaller awards alongside a smaller number of much larger research grants.

    Does Northwestern University give to the same recipients more than once?

    Yes. The recent grants list shows repeated awards to the University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Chicago, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Minnesota across 2023, 2024, and 2025.

    Are grants limited to Illinois?

    No. Illinois is the top state by grant count, but the recent grants reach recipients in many U.S. locations, including St. Louis, San Francisco, New York, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Houston, and Pittsburgh.

    Does Northwestern University support community-based work as well as academic research?

    Yes. The data includes grants to Erie Family Health Center for support of research activities, and active programs such as the Sustainable Communities Grant and ANCHOR Grants show support for community-focused work in Evanston and nearby Northwestern neighborhoods.

    Accepts unsolicited proposals
    Latest 990 Filing

    2025

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

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    Ann & Robert Lurie Childrens HospitalChicago, IL$7,703,0382026Support for community organization
    Stanford UniversityPALO ALTO, CA$6,043,9532026Support of research activities
    University of ChicagoCHICAGO, IL$5,530,9132026Support of research activities
    University of Illinois at ChicagoCHICAGO, IL$3,094,1162026Support of research activities
    University of PittsburghPITTSBURGH, PA$3,075,7912026Support of research activities
    City of EvanstonEvanston, IL$3,010,8082026Support for community organization
    Washington University in St LouisST LOUIS, MO$2,570,8782026Support of research activities
    Johns Hopkins UniversityCHICAGO, IL$2,532,7962026Support of research activities
    Brigham and Women's HospitalBOSTON, MA$2,506,7062026Support of research activities
    University of California San FranciscoSAN FRANCISCO, CA$2,498,9632026Support of research activities
    University of MichiganANN ARBOR, MI$2,419,3102026Support of research activities
    University of MinnesotaMINNEAPOLIS, MN$2,323,7752026Support of research activities
    Illinois Institute of TechnologyCHICAGO, IL$2,273,5322026Support of research activities
    Yale UniversityNEW HAVEN, CT$2,172,8142026Support of research activities
    Cornell UniversityITHACA, NY$2,097,7442026Support of research activities
    University of Wisconsin-MadisonMILWAUKEE, WI$2,045,6102026Support of research activities
    University of Louisiana at LafayetteLAFAYATTE, LA$1,729,2742026Support of research activities
    Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyCAMBRIDGE, MA$1,724,5882026Support of research activities
    University of FloridaNEW YORK, NY$1,707,4772026Support of research activities
    Columbia UniversityNEW YORK, NY$1,659,4142026Support of research activities
    Jewish Federation of Metropolitan ChicagoChicago, IL$1,600,0002026Support for community organization
    LanzaTech IncSKOKIE, IL$1,478,6472026Support of research activities
    Vanderbilt UniversityNASHVILLE, TN$1,475,9152026Support of research activities
    Rice UniversityHOUSTON, TX$1,430,2002026Support of research activities
    Rehabilitation Institute of ChicagoCHICAGO, IL$1,394,0592026Support of research activities
    University of WashingtonSEATTLE, WA$1,370,5162026Support of research activities
    University of UtahSALT LAKE CITY, UT$1,348,7702026Support of research activities
    American Lung AssociationCHICAGO, IL$1,275,6812026Support of research activities
    Scripps Research InstituteLOS ANGELES, CA$1,248,3792026Support of research activities
    Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNEW YORK, NY$1,224,0222026Support of research activities
    University of PennsylvaniaPHILADELPHIA, PA$1,202,0182026Support of research activities
    University of KentuckyLEXINGTON, KY$1,176,8992026Support of research activities
    University of ColoradoDENVER, CO$1,112,2802026Support of research activities
    University of California San DiegoLOS ANGELES, CA$1,053,2512026Support of research activities
    Carnegie Mellon UniversityPASADENA, CA$1,051,9442026Support of research activities
    Rush University Medical CenterCHICAGO, IL$1,031,7942026Support of research activities
    Ohio State UniversityDETROIT, MI$1,003,6882026Support of research activities
    Luci LLCBRENTWOOD, TN$983,0192026Support of research activities
    Duke UniversityDURHAM, NC$964,7152026Support of research activities
    National Jewish HealthDenver, CO$932,5802026Support of research activities
    University of Southern CaliforniaLOS ANGELES, CA$928,4292026Support of research activities
    University of California BerkeleyLOS ANGELES, CA$891,0492026Support of research activities
    University of Alabama at BirminghamBIRMINGHAM, AL$885,9792026Support of research activities
    Harvard UniversityCAMBRIDGE, MA$877,4252026Support of research activities
    University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at DallasDALLAS, TX$850,3972026Support of research activities
    Purdue UniversityCHICAGO, IL$833,1332026Support of research activities
    Indiana UniversityBLOOMINGTON, IN$816,1672026Support of research activities
    University of Texas at AustinAUSTIN, TX$786,9832026Support of research activities
    Oak Street Health MSO LLCCHICAGO, IL$754,8272026Support of research activities
    Erie Family Health CenterCHICAGO, IL$731,4722026Support of research activities

    Ann & Robert Lurie Childrens Hospital

    $7,703,038
    Chicago, IL2026

    Support for community organization

    Stanford University

    $6,043,953
    PALO ALTO, CA2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Chicago

    $5,530,913
    CHICAGO, IL2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Illinois at Chicago

    $3,094,116
    CHICAGO, IL2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Pittsburgh

    $3,075,791
    PITTSBURGH, PA2026

    Support of research activities

    City of Evanston

    $3,010,808
    Evanston, IL2026

    Support for community organization

    Washington University in St Louis

    $2,570,878
    ST LOUIS, MO2026

    Support of research activities

    Johns Hopkins University

    $2,532,796
    CHICAGO, IL2026

    Support of research activities

    Brigham and Women's Hospital

    $2,506,706
    BOSTON, MA2026

    Support of research activities

    University of California San Francisco

    $2,498,963
    SAN FRANCISCO, CA2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Michigan

    $2,419,310
    ANN ARBOR, MI2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Minnesota

    $2,323,775
    MINNEAPOLIS, MN2026

    Support of research activities

    Illinois Institute of Technology

    $2,273,532
    CHICAGO, IL2026

    Support of research activities

    Yale University

    $2,172,814
    NEW HAVEN, CT2026

    Support of research activities

    Cornell University

    $2,097,744
    ITHACA, NY2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Wisconsin-Madison

    $2,045,610
    MILWAUKEE, WI2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Louisiana at Lafayette

    $1,729,274
    LAFAYATTE, LA2026

    Support of research activities

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    $1,724,588
    CAMBRIDGE, MA2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Florida

    $1,707,477
    NEW YORK, NY2026

    Support of research activities

    Columbia University

    $1,659,414
    NEW YORK, NY2026

    Support of research activities

    Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago

    $1,600,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Support for community organization

    LanzaTech Inc

    $1,478,647
    SKOKIE, IL2026

    Support of research activities

    Vanderbilt University

    $1,475,915
    NASHVILLE, TN2026

    Support of research activities

    Rice University

    $1,430,200
    HOUSTON, TX2026

    Support of research activities

    Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago

    $1,394,059
    CHICAGO, IL2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Washington

    $1,370,516
    SEATTLE, WA2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Utah

    $1,348,770
    SALT LAKE CITY, UT2026

    Support of research activities

    American Lung Association

    $1,275,681
    CHICAGO, IL2026

    Support of research activities

    Scripps Research Institute

    $1,248,379
    LOS ANGELES, CA2026

    Support of research activities

    Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

    $1,224,022
    NEW YORK, NY2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Pennsylvania

    $1,202,018
    PHILADELPHIA, PA2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Kentucky

    $1,176,899
    LEXINGTON, KY2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Colorado

    $1,112,280
    DENVER, CO2026

    Support of research activities

    University of California San Diego

    $1,053,251
    LOS ANGELES, CA2026

    Support of research activities

    Carnegie Mellon University

    $1,051,944
    PASADENA, CA2026

    Support of research activities

    Rush University Medical Center

    $1,031,794
    CHICAGO, IL2026

    Support of research activities

    Ohio State University

    $1,003,688
    DETROIT, MI2026

    Support of research activities

    Luci LLC

    $983,019
    BRENTWOOD, TN2026

    Support of research activities

    Duke University

    $964,715
    DURHAM, NC2026

    Support of research activities

    National Jewish Health

    $932,580
    Denver, CO2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Southern California

    $928,429
    LOS ANGELES, CA2026

    Support of research activities

    University of California Berkeley

    $891,049
    LOS ANGELES, CA2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Alabama at Birmingham

    $885,979
    BIRMINGHAM, AL2026

    Support of research activities

    Harvard University

    $877,425
    CAMBRIDGE, MA2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas

    $850,397
    DALLAS, TX2026

    Support of research activities

    Purdue University

    $833,133
    CHICAGO, IL2026

    Support of research activities

    Indiana University

    $816,167
    BLOOMINGTON, IN2026

    Support of research activities

    University of Texas at Austin

    $786,983
    AUSTIN, TX2026

    Support of research activities

    Oak Street Health MSO LLC

    $754,827
    CHICAGO, IL2026

    Support of research activities

    Erie Family Health Center

    $731,472
    CHICAGO, IL2026

    Support of research activities