About Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Advance human ability through the integration of highest-quality clinical care, groundbreaking rehabilitation research, and community programs to improve quality of life for people with impairments.
Focus Areas
physical rehabilitationspinal cord injurybrain injury recoveryamputation & prostheticspediatric rehabilitationassistive technology and roboticsadaptive sports and fitnessrehabilitation research and clinical trialsemployment outcomes for people with disabilities
Who They Fund
research teams (academic or nonprofit)study participants (research subjects)institutions hosting research (labs, clinics, centers)
About Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago directs its philanthropy toward rehabilitation science and clinical studies, with recent awards centered on payments for research study related activities. The largest listed grant was $1,898,113 to Northwestern University in Chicago in 2025, a signal that the funder is supporting work tied to local research infrastructure as well as national collaborators. Across the recent grants list, the foundation repeatedly funded universities, hospitals, and research centers working in rehabilitation-related fields rather than individuals. Its active research funding program is aimed at advancing rehabilitation science, clinical trials, and assistive technology across AbilityLab innovation centers covering brain, spinal cord, nerve/muscle/bone, pediatric, and cancer work. The grant record also shows support for institutions such as the University of Illinois, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, the University of Washington, and the University of Colorado Boulder. Pablo Celnik MD serves as chief executive officer beginning 9/23/23. The foundation reports program-related investments and operates as a regular funder. Its annual grants total $18,704,435 against total assets of $1,266,946,907.
What Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Funds
In rehabilitation research, the foundation’s grants are structured as payments for research study related activities, including $1,079,492 to the University of Illinois in 2024 and $805,151 to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in 2024. Those awards point to support for study operations and institutional research activity rather than unrestricted individual aid. The grant list also includes assistive technology and disability-related research partners. In 2023, Cirtec Medical Lyc received $263,964, and in 2024 Slice Mr received $219,164, both for research study related activities. For veterans and disability outcomes, the Center For Veterans Research And Education received $192,332 in 2023. The foundation also funded Kessler Foundation twice, including $169,837 in 2024, showing continued investment in research organizations working on rehabilitation topics.
How Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Gives
Typical grants sit in a mid-sized range, with p25 at $13,122, a median of $35,686, and p75 at $103,001. The recent list is dominated by research-study payments, which suggests activity-based funding tied to specific projects and study costs. Recipients appear across multiple years, including Northwestern University, the University of Illinois, the University of Washington, and University of Colorado Boulder, indicating repeat institutional relationships rather than one-off awards. The foundation is a regular funder, makes program-related investments, and does not fund individuals.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$8.4M
Total Assets
$1.3B
Total Revenue
$481.4M
Total Expenses
$454.1M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $13K and $103K, with a median of $36K.
25th Percentile
$13K
Median
$36K
75th Percentile
$103K
Geographic Reach
National27 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
Pablo Celnik MD
Chief Executive Officer (Beginning 9/23/23)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
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