The SF Foundation concentrates almost all of its giving on education and cultural institutions, providing large unrestricted or general operating support to a small set of repeat beneficiaries. The foundation makes multi-million dollar commitments to major institutions — notably a major Chicago cultural institution and several universities — suggesting a focus on sustaining institutional capacity rather than project-based or grassroots funding.
Highly concentrated giving: few, very large grants primarily to repeat grantees; predominant use of general operating support rather than restricted program funding.
Sf Foundation’s recent grantmaking is defined by large, repeated general-services commitments to a small set of institutions. The largest single grants in the data are $2,000,000 awards to John G Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, followed by seven-figure support for St Marys University and Fairfield University. That pattern points to a funder that backs institutional capacity more than short-term projects. The foundation’s grants are concentrated in education and cultural organizations, with several awards directed to universities, museums, and other established nonprofits. In Chicago, it has supported Paws Chicago, Kohl Childrens Museum, Misericordia, and Big Shoulders Fund, alongside its major commitment to John G Shedd Aquarium. Outside Illinois, it has made substantial general-services grants to St Marys University in Winona and Fairfield University in Fairfield. Across the recent record, the common thread is unrestricted or broadly usable support for organizations with operating needs. The repetition of the same grantees over multiple years suggests sustained relationships rather than one-time project funding.
Education and higher education are central to Sf Foundation’s giving. In 2025, it gave $1,650,000 to St Marys University for general services, and it also made $1,510,000, $510,000, and $510,000 grants to Fairfield University for the same purpose. Those awards place university support among the foundation’s largest commitments. Cultural and public-facing institutions are another clear theme. The foundation gave $2,000,000 to John G Shedd Aquarium in Chicago in 2025, and it also made the same-sized award in 2023 for general services. Chicago-based nonprofit support appears in several smaller awards as well. Paws Chicago received grants of $75,000, $65,000, $65,000, and $60,000 across 2025 and 2023, all for general services. Kohl Childrens Museum also appears with repeated operating support, including $60,000 and $50,000 awards.
Sf Foundation gives in a wide range, with typical grants centered at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $510,000 at the 75th percentile. The distribution shows a mix of modest operating support and much larger institutional commitments. The recent record shows repeated support to the same recipients across 2023 and 2025, including John G Shedd Aquarium, St Marys University, Fairfield University, Paws Chicago, Kohl Childrens Museum, Sister Paulanne Needy Family Fund, Misericordia, and Big Shoulders Fund. Grants are consistently described as support for general services, indicating flexible funding rather than project-restricted awards. The foundation is not a funder of individuals and does not make program-related investments.
$2.4M
$20.9M
$930K
$2.7M
Most grants fall between $10K and $510K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$510K
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Notable grantees: John G. Shedd Aquarium, St. Mary’s University, Fairfield University
Sf Foundation gives locally, with 82% of grants going to recipients in Illinois. Chicago and nearby suburbs account for much of the activity, including John G Shedd Aquarium, Paws Chicago, Misericordia, and Big Shoulders Fund in Chicago, plus Kohl Childrens Museum, Sister Paulanne Needy Family Fund, and Olph in Glenview. Outside Illinois, the grants list includes St Marys University in Winona, Minnesota, and Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut. All recent grants in the data go to U.S. recipients.
The foundation’s recent grants focus on education and cultural institutions, along with nonprofit organizations serving Chicago-area communities. Named recipients include John G Shedd Aquarium, St Marys University, Fairfield University, Paws Chicago, Kohl Childrens Museum, Misericordia, and Big Shoulders Fund, all funded for general services.
Yes. Every listed recent grant is described as support for general services, including large awards such as $2,000,000 to John G Shedd Aquarium and $1,650,000 to St Marys University. The pattern suggests flexible, institution-level funding rather than project-only grants.
The grant-size distribution is wide: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $50,000, and the 75th percentile is $510,000. That combination shows both smaller community grants and much larger institutional awards.
Illinois is the main recipient state, accounting for 82% of grants. Recent Illinois recipients include organizations in Chicago and Glenview, while the non-Illinois grants in the list go to institutions in Winona, Minnesota, and Fairfield, Connecticut.
Yes. The data shows repeated support across multiple years for John G Shedd Aquarium, St Marys University, Fairfield University, Paws Chicago, Kohl Childrens Museum, Sister Paulanne Needy Family Fund, Misericordia, and Big Shoulders Fund.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN G SHEDD AQUARIUM | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| ST MARYS UNIVERSITY | WINONA, MN | $1,650,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| ST MARYS UNIVERSITY | WINONA, MN | $1,650,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY | FAIRFIELD, CT | $510,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY | FAIRFIELD, CT | $510,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| PAWS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| PAWS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $65,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| KOHL CHILDRENS MUSEUM | GLENVIEW, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| KOHL CHILDRENS MUSEUM | GLENVIEW, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| OLPH | GLENVIEW, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| SISTER PAULANNE NEEDY FAMILY FUND | GLENVIEW, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| MISERICORDIA | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| MISERICORDIA | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| BIG SHOULDERS FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| BIG SHOULDERS FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| EQUESTRIAN CONNECTION | LIBERTYVILLE, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| GOLF | GLENVIEW, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| GOLF | GLENVIEW, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| JOHN G SHEDD AQUARIUM | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| JOHN G SHEDD AQUARIUM | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY | FAIRFIELD, CT | $1,510,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| ST MARYS UNIVERSITY | WINONA, MN | $1,150,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| ST MARYS UNIVERSITY | WINONA, MN | $1,150,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| FAIRFIELD UNIVERSITY | FAIRFIELD, CT | $510,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| PAWS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $65,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| PAWS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| SISTER PAULANNE NEEDY FAMILY FUND | GLENVIEW, IL | $55,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| SISTER PAULANNE NEEDY FAMILY FUND | GLENVIEW, IL | $50,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| KOHL CHILDRENS MUSEUM | GLENVIEW, IL | $50,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| KOHL CHILDRENS MUSEUM | GLENVIEW, IL | $50,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| MISERICORDIA | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| MISERICORDIA | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| BIG SHOULDERS FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| BIG SHOULDERS FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| GOLF | GLENVIEW, IL | $10,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
| GOLF | GLENVIEW, IL | $10,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES |
ST MARYS UNIVERSITY
$1,650,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
ST MARYS UNIVERSITY
$1,650,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
OLPH
$50,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
SISTER PAULANNE NEEDY FAMILY FUND
$50,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
MISERICORDIA
$25,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
MISERICORDIA
$25,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$10,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
GOLF
$10,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
GOLF
$10,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$10,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
ST MARYS UNIVERSITY
$1,150,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
ST MARYS UNIVERSITY
$1,150,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
SISTER PAULANNE NEEDY FAMILY FUND
$55,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
SISTER PAULANNE NEEDY FAMILY FUND
$50,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
MISERICORDIA
$25,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
MISERICORDIA
$25,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
GOLF
$10,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$10,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$10,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES
GOLF
$10,000TO SUPPORT GENERAL SERVICES