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    5. Polk Bros Foundation
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    Polk Bros Foundation

    ActiveMutual & Membership Benefit
    Chicago, ILWebsite3125274684

    About Polk Bros Foundation

    Polk Bros. Foundation is working to make Chicago a place where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

    Focus Areas

    Community wealth building / economic opportunityHealth / life expectancy / overdose preventionCivic engagement / democracy / power-buildingEducationArts access and learningOrganizational capacity and sector strengtheningEmergency / rapid response grants

    Who They Fund

    local communities / neighborhoodsfamilies (households with children)arts learners and audience-access populationsunderserved or equity-seeking populations

    About Polk Bros Foundation

    Polk Bros Foundation Inc. has built a large share of its recent grantmaking around Chicago’s recovery and long-term community stability, including a $500,000 Equitable Recovery Grant to The Barack Obama Foundation and another $500,000 grant to ChiArts Foundation. The foundation’s current work centers on building community wealth, closing the life expectancy gap, and supporting participatory democracy, while also continuing arts access, education, and community-strengthening grants during a transition period. Its recent awards show a mix of broad institutional support and targeted, project-based funding, with $300,000 grants to Chicago Bar Foundation and UIC Jane Addams College of Social Work, both tied to equitable recovery. Chicago-based recipients appear repeatedly across the grant list, including organizations working in education, health, legal services, food access, and civic life. The foundation also uses timed initiatives and cohort-based support, alongside ongoing program areas in school-based arts learning and community wealth building. Recent grants indicate a funder that is deeply tied to Chicago neighborhoods and institutions, but not limited to a single cause area; instead, it distributes capital across a connected set of community conditions that affect opportunity in the city.

    What Polk Bros Foundation Funds

    In arts access and learning, Polk Bros Foundation Inc. gave $250,000 to Navy Pier Inc for Arts Access and Learning and $250,000 to ChiArts Foundation for Arts Access and Learning. Those grants sit alongside a school-based arts program area focused on arts learning in Chicago Public Schools and other classroom settings. In health, the foundation awarded $300,000 to UIC Jane Addams College of Social Work through its equitable recovery work and $250,000 to Heartland Alliance Health for the same grantmaking stream, linking recovery funding to health and community support. In community wealth building, the foundation’s emerging shared-ownership initiative is aimed at low-income Chicagoans and economically distressed neighborhoods. The grant list also shows support for civic and public-interest infrastructure, including $250,000 to WBEZChicago Public Media for Special Projects and $300,000 to Chicago Bar Foundation for Equitable Recovery.

    How Polk Bros Foundation Gives

    Typical grant size sits at $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list shows both large project grants and recurring support for the same organizations across 2023 and 2024, including ChiArts Foundation, Navy Pier Inc, Big Shoulders Fund, and Greater Chicago Food Depository. Polk Bros Foundation Inc. is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The grant profile also includes unrestricted advisory cohort grants of $75,000 and transition-period support for current grantees, showing a mix of structured initiative funding and bridge support.

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $19.3M

    Total Assets

    $334.3M

    Total Revenue

    $40.7M

    Total Expenses

    $25.6M

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $3K and $50K, with a median of $25K.

    25th Percentile

    $3K

    Median

    $25K

    75th Percentile

    $50K

    Geographic Reach

    Local29 states funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High

    Where Polk Bros Foundation Funds

    Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Polk Bros Foundation.

    RankCountryGrantsTotalShare
    1United StatesDomestic2,736$103.1M
    99.8%
    2Canada4

    Deep Analysis

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    © 2026 Kindora. All rights reserved.

    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 36-6108293Latest Form 990: 2026Total assets: $334.3M4 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders

    Funding Style

    project-based / special projects fundingprogram-specific restricted grantscommunity resilience and recovery fundingtargeted initiative/seed-style grantsthematic/portfolio grants (e.g., arts, families, communities)

    Topics

    equitable recovery and disaster/economic recoverycommunity strengthening and neighborhood capacityfamily stability and strong families programmingarts access and learning / arts educationspecial projects and pilot/innovation grants

    Where Polk Bros Foundation Makes Grants

    Grantmaking is highly concentrated in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois. The foundation gives 87% of grants to recipients in its HQ state, Illinois, and the top giving state is also Illinois. Chicago dominates the recipient map, with repeated grants to organizations in Chicago, plus occasional support outside the city such as Springfield, IL. The recipient country distribution is almost entirely U.S.-based, with 1,493 grants in the U.S. and 2 in Canada.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Polk Bros Foundation

    What kinds of organizations does Polk Bros Foundation Inc. support most often?

    The foundation supports Chicago-based organizations working in arts access, education, community wealth building, health and life expectancy, civic engagement, organizational capacity, emergency response, and community strengthening. Recent grants include support for arts institutions, legal and health organizations, food access groups, and public media.

    How large are typical grants?

    The grant-size distribution shows a 25th percentile of $2,500, a median of $25,000, and a 75th percentile of $50,000. Recent awards also include larger project grants such as $500,000, $300,000, and $250,000.

    Does the foundation support recurring grantees?

    Yes. The recent grant list includes multiple organizations funded in both 2023 and 2024, including ChiArts Foundation, Navy Pier Inc, Big Shoulders Fund, Greater Chicago Food Depository, and Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago. The foundation also has transition-period support for current grantee partners.

    What geographic area does Polk Bros Foundation Inc. focus on?

    Its giving is local and heavily concentrated in Illinois. 87% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state, and Chicago appears throughout the recent grants list, with additional Illinois recipients in places such as Springfield.

    Are there active grant programs with defined application processes?

    Yes. The foundation lists RFP-based work for shared ownership, next-generation power-building, and overdose prevention. The next-generation power-building program uses a two-stage process with an LOI followed by invited full proposals, while the overdose-prevention RFP also uses an LOI-to-full-proposal format.

    Latest 990 Filing

    2026

    Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.

    $92K
    0.1%

    Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Polk Bros Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowCloses in 2 days (Aug 14, 2026)Award: $50K – $75K

    RFP: Next Generation Power-Building

    youth leadershipcivic engagementcommunity organizing+7 more

    Who can apply: Applicants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations based in and primarily serving Chicago residents, place youth in meaningful decision-making roles, lead work within PBF’s power-building continuum, demonstrate active coalitions of young leaders, and show financial sustainability.

    Deadline: LOI deadline: June 5, 2026, 5:00 p.m. CST; full proposal deadline: August 14, 2026, 5:00 p.m.; funding decisions: November 11, 2026.

    View & apply

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    Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.

    Recent Grants

    Most recent grants reported to the IRS.

    RecipientLocationAmountYearPurpose
    Navy Pier IncChicago, IL$250,0002026Arts Access and Learning
    Illinois Immigrant Funders CollaborativeChicago, IL$250,0002026Special Projects
    Greater Chicago Food DepositoryChicago, IL$250,0002026Special Projects
    Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan ChicagoChicago, IL$250,0002026Special Projects
    Big Shoulders FundChicago, IL$250,0002026Education
    Window to the World CommunicationsChicago, IL$200,0002026Special Projects
    Shriver Center on Poverty LawChicago, IL$180,0002026Strong Communities
    Erie Family Health CenterChicago, IL$170,0002026Health
    WBEZChicago Public MediaChicago, IL$160,0002026Special Projects
    Chicago Community Loan FundChicago, IL$160,0002026Strong Communities
    Fund for Safe and Peaceful CommunitiesChicago, IL$150,0002026Strong Communities
    Tapestry 360 HealthChicago, IL$150,0002026Health
    UIC Community Engagement and Neighborhood Health PartnershipsChicago, IL$150,0002026Health
    Chicago Public Education FundChicago, IL$140,0002026Education
    Mercy Housing LakefrontChicago, IL$135,0002026Strong Communities
    Rush University Medical CenterChicago, IL$125,0002026Health
    University of Chicago Urban Education InstituteChicago, IL$125,0002026Education
    Roger Baldwin Foundation of ACLUChicago, IL$125,0002026Strong Communities
    Ingenuity Incorporated ChicagoChicago, IL$120,0002026Arts Access and Learning
    ForefrontChicago, IL$115,0002026Special Projects
    Leading Educators IncChicago, IL$112,0002026Education
    Chicago Jobs CouncilChicago, IL$110,0002026Strong Communities
    Neighborhood Housing Services of ChicagoChicago, IL$100,0002026Strong Communities
    ICIRRChicago, IL$100,0002026Special Projects
    Arts Work Fund for Organizational DevChicago, IL$100,0002026Special Projects
    Youth GuidanceChicago, IL$100,0002026Education
    University of ChicagoNetwork for College SuccessChicago, IL$100,0002026Education
    AIDS Foundation of ChicagoChicago, IL$100,0002026Strong Communities
    Museum of Science and IndustryChicago, IL$100,0002026Education
    Chicago Community FoundationChicago, IL$100,0002026Strong Communities
    AMPTChicago, IL$100,0002026Initiatives
    Kids First ChicagoChicago, IL$100,0002026Education
    ThresholdsChicago, IL$100,0002026Strong Communities
    Metropolitan Family ServicesChicago, IL$100,0002026Education
    Bickerdike Redevelopment CorpChicago, IL$90,0002026Strong Communities
    Youth GuidanceChicago, IL$90,0002026Strong Communities
    Chicago Shakespeare TheaterChicago, IL$90,0002026Arts Access and Learning
    Jane Addams Resource CorporationChicago, IL$90,0002026Strong Communities
    Cabrini Green Legal Aid ClinicChicago, IL$80,0002026Strong Communities
    Posse FoundationChicago, IL$80,0002026Education
    NewRoot Learning InstituteChicago, IL$80,0002026Education
    University of Chicago Inclusive Economy LabChicago, IL$80,0002026Strong Communities
    Chicago Public Library FoundationChicago, IL$80,0002026Special Projects
    Teach For AmericaChicago, IL$80,0002026Education
    NEPOakland, CA$80,0002026Education
    Lurie Children's Hospital of ChicagoChicago, IL$80,0002026Health
    Crossroads FundChicago, IL$80,0002026Special Projects
    Deborah's PlaceChicago, IL$80,0002026Strong Communities
    All Chicago Making Homelessness HistoryChicago, IL$80,0002026Strong Communities
    Metropolitan Family ServicesChicago, IL$80,0002026Strong Communities

    Navy Pier Inc

    $250,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Arts Access and Learning

    Illinois Immigrant Funders Collaborative

    $250,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Special Projects

    Greater Chicago Food Depository

    $250,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Special Projects

    Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago

    $250,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Special Projects

    Big Shoulders Fund

    $250,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Education

    Window to the World Communications

    $200,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Special Projects

    Shriver Center on Poverty Law

    $180,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    Erie Family Health Center

    $170,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Health

    WBEZChicago Public Media

    $160,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Special Projects

    Chicago Community Loan Fund

    $160,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities

    $150,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    Tapestry 360 Health

    $150,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Health

    UIC Community Engagement and Neighborhood Health Partnerships

    $150,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Health

    Chicago Public Education Fund

    $140,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Education

    Mercy Housing Lakefront

    $135,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    Rush University Medical Center

    $125,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Health

    University of Chicago Urban Education Institute

    $125,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Education

    Roger Baldwin Foundation of ACLU

    $125,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    Ingenuity Incorporated Chicago

    $120,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Arts Access and Learning

    Forefront

    $115,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Special Projects

    Leading Educators Inc

    $112,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Education

    Chicago Jobs Council

    $110,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago

    $100,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    ICIRR

    $100,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Special Projects

    Arts Work Fund for Organizational Dev

    $100,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Special Projects

    Youth Guidance

    $100,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Education

    University of ChicagoNetwork for College Success

    $100,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Education

    AIDS Foundation of Chicago

    $100,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    Museum of Science and Industry

    $100,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Education

    Chicago Community Foundation

    $100,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    AMPT

    $100,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Initiatives

    Kids First Chicago

    $100,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Education

    Thresholds

    $100,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    Metropolitan Family Services

    $100,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Education

    Bickerdike Redevelopment Corp

    $90,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    Youth Guidance

    $90,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    Chicago Shakespeare Theater

    $90,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Arts Access and Learning

    Jane Addams Resource Corporation

    $90,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic

    $80,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    Posse Foundation

    $80,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Education

    NewRoot Learning Institute

    $80,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Education

    University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab

    $80,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    Chicago Public Library Foundation

    $80,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Special Projects

    Teach For America

    $80,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Education

    NEP

    $80,000
    Oakland, CA2026

    Education

    Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

    $80,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Health

    Crossroads Fund

    $80,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Special Projects

    Deborah's Place

    $80,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    All Chicago Making Homelessness History

    $80,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities

    Metropolitan Family Services

    $80,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    Strong Communities