We envision a Chicago region where equity is central and opportunity and prosperity are in reach for all. To realize our vision, we mobilize people, ideas, organizations, and resources to improve the lives of people in the Chicago region and beyond.
A defining part of The Chicago Community Trust’s recent grantmaking is its combination of large general operating grants and targeted place-based funds for the Chicago region. The trust has also backed multi-year efforts in clean technology deployment, local news, housing stability, and neighborhood investment, while continuing to support institutions serving youth and families. One of its largest recent grants was $50,837,225 to Save The Children Federation Inc for general support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes. Another major gift was $45,000,000 to Capital Impact Partners for general support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes. The trust’s own stated aim is to improve the lives of people in the Chicago region and beyond, with equity central to that work. Its recent grant record shows a mix of broad institutional support and more directed funding. Chicago Public Schools received $25,000,000 for general operating support, and the National Council of YMCAs of the USA received $20,000,000 for programs, operations and other charitable purposes. Alongside those large unrestricted awards, the trust has used affinity funds and open calls to support specific communities and issue areas in the Chicago region.
The trust supports a range of community-serving work, with clear emphasis on housing, youth development, disability inclusion, and local media. In housing stability, it created Sustainable Solutions for Housing Stability — Addressing Critical Needs to bolster direct service organizations that provide housing and homeless prevention services. In youth development and workforce pipeline work, Youth Guidance received $22,622,900 for general operating support and a contribution to The Fellowship Initiative. For disability inclusion, the Disabilities Fund grants program supports organizations advancing rights, justice, employment, education, community inclusion, and technology in the Chicago region. It also funds civic information and neighborhood capacity. Press Forward Chicago pools philanthropic resources for independent news outlets in Chicago, and the Young Leaders Fund awards small grants to small, start-up nonprofits serving Chicago neighborhoods. The African American Legacy programs support both community care and mobilization and community wealth building in Black communities in metropolitan Chicago.
$1.4B
$6B
$2.5B
$1.5B
Most grants fall between $10K and $100K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$100K
About 37% of grants go to recipients in NY.
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Typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile, even though the trust also makes very large institutional awards. The recent record includes repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, including Breakthrough Energy Catalyst Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Communities in Schools Inc, and Foundation for Fresno Unified Schools. The trust is a mixed community foundation, and its filings show no program-related investments and no funding to individuals. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including Press Forward Chicago, Sustainable Solutions for Housing Stability, Disabilities Fund, Resilient Chicago Fund, and Neighborhood Capital Fund.
Giving is national in scope, but the Chicago region remains central: 36% of grants go to recipients in Illinois. Recent awards also land in New York, California, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington state. Within Chicago, recipients include Chicago Public Schools, the National Council of YMCAs of the USA, and Youth Guidance. The trust’s active place-based programs also concentrate on Chicago neighborhoods, Cook County, and the South and West Sides of the city.
It supports nonprofits and public-serving institutions through general operating and program support, with active funding for housing stability, local news, disability inclusion, youth development, neighborhood investment, and community wealth building. Its recent grants also show support for schools, national nonprofits, and place-based Chicago initiatives.
Yes. Its scope of giving is national, and the recipient distribution is entirely U.S.-based. Recent grants reached organizations in New York, California, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Washington, Mississippi, Georgia, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, alongside a large concentration in Illinois.
The grant-size distribution is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $100,000 at the 75th percentile. That pattern sits alongside several very large institutional grants in the recent record.
Yes. Press Forward Chicago, Sustainable Solutions for Housing Stability, Disabilities Fund, Resilient Chicago Fund, and Neighborhood Capital Fund all accept unsolicited applications. Other active programs listed, including the Young Leaders Fund and the African American Legacy programs, do not.
Yes. The recent grants list shows repeat support across multiple years for organizations such as Breakthrough Energy Catalyst Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Communities in Schools Inc, Foundation for Fresno Unified Schools, and Youth Guidance.
Andrea Saenz
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Chicago Community Trust that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit agencies with evidence of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status that are not private foundations, or agencies with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor. Organizations must benefit residents of the Chicago region; grants from the Trust’s endowment are limited to organizations based in or primarily serving Cook County.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Save The Children Federation Inc | Fairfield, CT | $50,837,225 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Capital Impact Partners | Arlington, VA | $45,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Breakthrough Energy Catalyst Foundation | Seattle, WA | $30,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Hope Enterprise Corporation | Jackson, MS | $28,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Tides Foundation | San Francisco, CA | $26,088,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Accion Opportunity Fund Community Development | San Jose, CA | $23,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| The Center for Popular Democracy | Brooklyn, NY | $20,060,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Eisenhower Medical Center | Rancho Mirage, CA | $20,050,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of America | Atlanta, GA | $20,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Climate Imperative Foundation | San Francisco, CA | $20,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| National Council of YMCAs of the USA | Chicago, IL | $20,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Community Investment Corporation | Chicago, IL | $15,100,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Community First Fund | Lancaster, PA | $15,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| GRID Alternatives | Oakland, CA | $15,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| The Miami Foundation | Miami, FL | $15,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| National Philanthropic Trust | Jenkintown, PA | $11,189,480 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs | Cleveland, GA | $10,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| OCHIN Inc | Portland, OR | $10,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Genesis LA Economic Growth Corporation | Los Angeles, CA | $10,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Metropolitan Family Services | Chicago, IL | $9,642,537 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy | Traverse City, MI | $9,002,500 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| The Providence Community Health Centers Inc | Providence, RI | $9,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Aunt Marthas Health and Wellness Inc | Olympia Fields, IL | $9,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Care Resource Community Health Centers Inc | Miami, FL | $9,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Tides Center | Los Angeles, CA | $8,469,310 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Chicago Cred Inc | Chicago, IL | $8,420,341 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Buffalo Bill Memorial Association | Cody, WY | $8,302,096 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Harlem Children's Zone Inc | New York, NY | $8,010,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| The Legal Aid Society | New York, NY | $8,000,500 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Propel Nonprofits | Minneapolis, MN | $8,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Windward Fund | Washington, DC | $7,550,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Sunrise Community Health | Evans, CO | $7,500,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| HealthLinc Inc | Valparaiso, IN | $7,500,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| OneWorld Community Health Centers Inc | Omaha, NE | $7,500,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Community Care of West Virginia Inc | Rock Cave, WV | $7,500,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Partner Community Capital Inc | Charles Town, WV | $7,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Massachusetts Housing Investment Corp | Boston, MA | $7,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Oweesta Corporation | Longmont, CO | $7,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| School-Based Health Alliance | Washington, DC | $7,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| NEO Philanthropy | New York, NY | $6,540,250 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Bioversity International USA Inc | New York, NY | $6,500,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| The Salvation Army a Georgia Corporation | Dallas, TX | $6,294,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Democracy Works Inc | Brooklyn, NY | $6,001,500 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Rural Health Group Inc | Roanoke Rapids, NC | $6,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Partners for the Common Good Inc | Washington, DC | $6,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Midwest Housing Development Fund Inc | Omaha, NE | $6,000,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Center for Housing and Health | Chicago, IL | $5,907,333 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Legal Aid of North Carolina Inc | Raleigh, NC | $5,500,000 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights | Chicago, IL | $5,125,902 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
| The Primavera Foundation Inc | Tucson, AZ | $5,016,200 | 2025 | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes |
Save The Children Federation Inc
$50,837,225General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Capital Impact Partners
$45,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Breakthrough Energy Catalyst Foundation
$30,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Hope Enterprise Corporation
$28,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Tides Foundation
$26,088,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Accion Opportunity Fund Community Development
$23,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
The Center for Popular Democracy
$20,060,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Eisenhower Medical Center
$20,050,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Boys & Girls Clubs of America
$20,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Climate Imperative Foundation
$20,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
National Council of YMCAs of the USA
$20,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Community Investment Corporation
$15,100,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Community First Fund
$15,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
GRID Alternatives
$15,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
The Miami Foundation
$15,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
National Philanthropic Trust
$11,189,480General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs
$10,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
OCHIN Inc
$10,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Genesis LA Economic Growth Corporation
$10,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Metropolitan Family Services
$9,642,537General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy
$9,002,500General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
The Providence Community Health Centers Inc
$9,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Aunt Marthas Health and Wellness Inc
$9,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Care Resource Community Health Centers Inc
$9,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Tides Center
$8,469,310General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Chicago Cred Inc
$8,420,341General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Buffalo Bill Memorial Association
$8,302,096General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Harlem Children's Zone Inc
$8,010,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
The Legal Aid Society
$8,000,500General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Propel Nonprofits
$8,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Windward Fund
$7,550,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Sunrise Community Health
$7,500,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
HealthLinc Inc
$7,500,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
OneWorld Community Health Centers Inc
$7,500,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Community Care of West Virginia Inc
$7,500,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Partner Community Capital Inc
$7,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Massachusetts Housing Investment Corp
$7,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Oweesta Corporation
$7,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
School-Based Health Alliance
$7,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
NEO Philanthropy
$6,540,250General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Bioversity International USA Inc
$6,500,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
The Salvation Army a Georgia Corporation
$6,294,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Democracy Works Inc
$6,001,500General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Rural Health Group Inc
$6,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Partners for the Common Good Inc
$6,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Midwest Housing Development Fund Inc
$6,000,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Center for Housing and Health
$5,907,333General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Legal Aid of North Carolina Inc
$5,500,000General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs & Human Rights
$5,125,902General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
The Primavera Foundation Inc
$5,016,200General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
