The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation concentrates its philanthropy in the Chicago area, prioritizing a small number of sizable gifts that advance medical rehabilitation, K–12 and secondary education innovation, and cultural institutions. The foundation is distinctive for its very large, multi-grant investment in the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab alongside targeted support for Catholic urban schools, education research/accelerator programs, and a major regional theater. Grantees are typically established organizations receiving general operating or program support rather than many small, project-specific awards.
A defining feature of the Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation is its sustained support for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, including $5,642,949 in 2023 and $5,542,949 in 2025 for charitable high-quality care. That relationship sits alongside a smaller but still concentrated set of grants to Chicago institutions in education, religion, and the arts. The foundation’s recent giving shows a clear preference for established organizations and for general operating support, with awards that often recur across multiple years rather than appearing as one-off gifts. In education, the foundation has backed Big Shoulders Fund, Accelerate Institute, and Alain Locke Charter School, all in Chicago, while also supporting Rise Opportunity Foundation for general charitable operations. Its cultural giving includes repeated support for Chicago Shakespeare Theater and Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as grants to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Window to the World Communications Inc. Faith-based support also appears in the record through Saints Faith Hope & Charity and Catholic Extension Society.
In medical rehabilitation and care, the foundation made one of its largest recent commitments to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for charitable high-quality care, with awards recorded in both 2023 and 2025. In K-12 and school-network support, it gave $1,200,000 to Big Shoulders Fund in 2025 for general charitable operations, and it also backed Alain Locke Charter School with grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Education innovation is another strand: Accelerate Institute received $775,000 in 2025, plus $450,000 in 2024 and $200,000 in 2023, all for general charitable operations. The foundation also supports Catholic faith institutions, including $200,000 to Saints Faith Hope & Charity in 2024 and $100,000 to Catholic Extension Society in 2025.
Typical grant size sits at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes repeated awards to the same organizations across multiple years, which points to ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts. It is a regular funder, not a DAF or program-related-investment vehicle, and it does not fund individuals. The pattern leans toward general operating support and other broad organizational support, especially for established Chicago-area institutions.
$12.9M
$108.8M
$33.9M
$13.1M
Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Highly concentrated giving: few, large grants with repeat funding to flagship grantees; funding is Chicago-centric and favors general operating support over many small awards.
Notable grantees: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Big Shoulders Fund, Rise Opportunity Foundation, Accelerate Institute
Grantmaking is heavily centered in Illinois: 73% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Chicago appears repeatedly in the recent record, including awards to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Big Shoulders Fund, Rise Opportunity Foundation, Accelerate Institute, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Outside Illinois, recent grants reached Virginia Beach, Arlington, Philadelphia, Hubbardston, and Winnetka. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 280 grants in the United States.
The foundation supports medical rehabilitation and high-quality care, K-12 and secondary education, Catholic faith institutions, and arts organizations. Recent grants include support for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Big Shoulders Fund, Accelerate Institute, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and Catholic Extension Society.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in 2023 and 2025, Chicago Shakespeare Theater in 2023 and 2024, and Accelerate Institute in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That pattern suggests continuing relationships rather than one-time awards.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also shows much larger awards to a small number of organizations, including multi-million-dollar support for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab.
Illinois is the top state by grant count, with 73% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Chicago is the main recipient city in the recent grant list, with additional grants to Winnetka, Virginia Beach, Arlington, Philadelphia, and Hubbardston.
No. The record shows several sectors: medical rehabilitation and care, education, Catholic faith support, and the arts. Recent grants reached healthcare, school networks, charter schools, performing arts institutions, and faith-based organizations.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB | CHICAGO, IL | $5,542,949 | 2025 | CHARITABLE FOR HIGH QUALITY CARE |
| BIG SHOULDERS FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $1,200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| RISE OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| ACCELERATE INSTITUTE | CHICAGO, IL | $775,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| PATHWAYS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $469,163 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $450,000 | 2025 | MAGNIFICENT ART FORM CONTINUATION |
| FRIENDS OF NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $255,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| ALAIN LOCKE CHARTER SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| SAINTS FAITH HOPE & CHARITY | WINNETKA, IL | $125,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CATHOLIC FAITH |
| THE JOHN F KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS | ARLINGTON, VA | $125,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| CATHOLIC EXTENSION SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| ST CHRISTOPHER CATHOLIC CHURCH | HOBE SOUND, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CATHOLIC FAITH |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY HAVEY INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| LEO CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| 100 CLUB OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| RON BURTON TRAINING VILLAGE | HUBBARDSTON, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| SAINT BENEDICT CATHOLIC CHURCH | FONTANA, WI | $80,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CATHOLIC FAITH |
| EASTER SEALS DUPAGE | VILLA PARK, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| OLD ST PATRICK'S CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CATHOLIC FAITH |
| WTTW WFMT | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| IRELAND FUNDSTHE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| THE FIELD MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CARA CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| LURIE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| FRIENDS OF PRENTICE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| MARINE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| ROBERT F KENNEDY CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| CHICAGOLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CATHOLIC FAITH |
| AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | IMPACT LIVES OF CHICAGO TEENS |
| UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME | NOTRE DAME, IN | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| UNITED WAY OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| HOBE SOUND COMMUNITY CHEST | HOBE SOUND, FL | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| ADLER PLANETARIUM & ASTRONOMY MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES CHURCH | LAKE GENEVA, WI | $30,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CATHOLIC FAITH |
| CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $26,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM |
| ACCESS LIVING | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS CHICAGO & NORTHERN ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| ARTS ALLIANCE ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF GREATER CHICAGO & NORTHWEST INDIANA | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | NORMAL, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY OF GREATER CHICAGO | TINLEY PARK, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| YMCA OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
| BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS |
RISE OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION
$1,000,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
PATHWAYS FOUNDATION
$469,163GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
MAGNIFICENT ART FORM CONTINUATION
FRIENDS OF NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS INC
$255,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
ALAIN LOCKE CHARTER SCHOOL
$150,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
SAINTS FAITH HOPE & CHARITY
$125,000SUPPORT CATHOLIC FAITH
GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
CATHOLIC EXTENSION SOCIETY
$100,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
ST CHRISTOPHER CATHOLIC CHURCH
$100,000SUPPORT CATHOLIC FAITH
GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
LEO CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
$100,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
100 CLUB OF CHICAGO
$100,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
SAINT BENEDICT CATHOLIC CHURCH
$80,000SUPPORT CATHOLIC FAITH
EASTER SEALS DUPAGE
$75,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CHICAGO
$75,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
OLD ST PATRICK'S CHURCH
$60,000SUPPORT CATHOLIC FAITH
WTTW WFMT
$60,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
IRELAND FUNDSTHE
$50,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
CARA CHICAGO
$50,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
LURIE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
FRIENDS OF PRENTICE
$50,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
MARINE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
CHICAGOLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO
$50,000SUPPORT CATHOLIC FAITH
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
$50,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES CHURCH
$30,000SUPPORT CATHOLIC FAITH
CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$26,000SUPPORT CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM
ACCESS LIVING
$25,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
AMERICAN RED CROSS CHICAGO & NORTHERN ILLINOIS
$25,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS
UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY OF GREATER CHICAGO
$25,000GENERAL CHARITABLE OPERATIONS