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    5. Chicago Community Trust
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    Chicago Community Trust

    ActivePhilanthropy & Voluntarism
    Chicago, ILWebsite3126168000

    About Chicago Community Trust

    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.

    Focus Areas

    Household wealthCommunity wealthCollective powerPolicy changeCritical needsArts, culture & narrative changeJournalism / local media (education journalism via Press Forward Chicago)

    Who They Fund

    nonprofit organizations (general operating recipients)families with young children / child care beneficiarieslow-income / food-insecure householdsyouth from underserved communities (e.g., Fellowship Initiative, Youth Guidance)

    About Chicago Community Trust

    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.

    What Chicago Community Trust Funds

    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.

    How Chicago Community Trust Gives

    Financial Snapshot

    Annual Giving

    $1.2B

    Total Assets

    $7.1B

    Total Revenue

    $2.1B

    Total Expenses

    $1.3B

    Typical Grant Size

    Most grants fall between $10K and $100K, with a median of $25K.

    25th Percentile

    $10K

    Median

    $25K

    75th Percentile

    $100K

    Geographic Reach

    National52 states funded
    Funding intensity
    Low
    High
    Headquarters

    Leadership

    Deep Analysis

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    © 2026 Kindora. All rights reserved.

    Privacy PolicyTerms of ServiceYour privacy choicesEnvironmental footprintSystem Status
    EIN (Tax ID): 36-2167000Latest Form 990: 2026Total assets: $7.1B5 filings on recordFind their full 990 filing →
    See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders
    state-level organizations in New Mexico

    Funding Style

    general operating supportunrestricted fundingproject-specific catalytic support (clean technology deployment)matching/micro-sponsorships

    Topics

    clean technology commercialization and deploymentemissions reduction / net-zero by 2050early childhood care / child care supportfood insecurity / food assistanceyouth development and workforce pipeline programs

    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.

    Where Chicago Community Trust Makes Grants

    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.

    Frequently Asked Questions About Chicago Community Trust

    What kinds of organizations does The Chicago Community Trust support most often?

    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.

    Does The Chicago Community Trust fund work outside Chicago?

    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.

    What is the typical grant size?

    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.

    Are there open calls or unsolicited application opportunities?

    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.

    Does the trust make repeat grants to the same organizations?

    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

    Accepts unsolicited proposals
    Latest 990 Filing

    2026

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

    Open Grant Opportunities

    Current and upcoming funding from Chicago Community Trust that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.

    Open nowRegister by Nov 2, 2026Closes Jan 30, 2027Award: Up to $1.5M

    Neighborhood Capital Fund (RFP)

    Community developmentLate-stage real estate projectsEconomic development+4 more

    Who can apply: Projects must be late-stage, with at least 75% of the capital stack secured and documented; located in Cook County, particularly historically underinvested South and West Side neighborhoods; located within one-half mile of a local economic or community asset; prioritize community input and include a nonprofit partner; and have proof of site control. Eligible project types include commercial, retail, community, manufacturing, and residential projects, although housing projects must include a non-housing component. Priority is given to community-led and nonprofit-driven projects. For-profit projects may apply only with a nonprofit partner and fiscal sponsor. General Trust eligibility requires nonprofit agencies with Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status that are not private foundations, or agencies with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor.

    Deadline: RFP released October 1, 2026; Project Scope Form deadline November 2, 2026 at 4 p.m. CT; full application deadline January 30, 2027; funding decision June 2027; announcement June/July 2027.

    View & apply
    Open now

    Coalitions Advancing Economic Mobility

    Economic mobilityPolicy changeSystems change

    Who can apply: The Trust generally funds 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies that are not private foundations and accepts applications from agencies with a nonprofit fiscal sponsor. Additional criteria apply to this opportunity. Funded work must benefit residents of the Chicago region.

    View & apply
    Open now

    Sustainable Solutions for Housing Stability — Addressing Critical Needs

    housing stabilityhomeless preventiondirect services

    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.

    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
    ImpactAssets IncBethesda, MD$47,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Climate Imperative FoundationSan Francisco, CA$40,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Breakthrough Energy Catalyst FoundationSeattle, WA$30,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Low Income Investment FundSan Francisco, CA$30,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    National Fish and Wildlife FoundationWashington, DC$30,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    The Pew Charitable TrustsWashington, DC$25,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Taproot EarthPhiladelphia, PA$25,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Community Reinvestment Fund IncMinneapolis, MN$20,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Climate Lead IncSan Francisco, CA$20,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Craft3Seattle, WA$15,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    National Philanthropic TrustJenkintown, PA$13,785,2392026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift FundCincinnati, OH$13,577,1612026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Community Foundation of Greater BirminghamBirmingham, AL$12,500,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Allied Climate Partners IncNew York, NY$12,500,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, TN$12,005,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Asian Pacific Community Fund of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA$12,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    East Tennessee Children's Hospital Association IncKnoxville, TN$12,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Metropolitan Family ServicesChicago, IL$11,154,1052026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors IncNew York, NY$10,188,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Tides CenterLos Angeles, CA$10,160,5002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Friendship Educational FoundationRedondo Beach, CA$10,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    George M Pullman Educational FoundationChicago, IL$10,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Rights and Resources Institute IncWashington, DC$9,900,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Alliance of Local Service OrganizationsChicago, IL$7,421,8602026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Mayo ClinicRochester, MN$7,301,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership IncIndianapolis, IN$7,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Northwestern UniversityEvanston, IL$6,990,6002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    The Nature ConservancyShelter Island, NY$6,531,9382026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Center for Housing and HealthChicago, IL$5,894,0102026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD$5,782,2322026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    American Indian College FundDenver, CO$5,650,5002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    NEW LIFE CENTERS OF CHICAGOLAND NFPChicago, IL$5,631,5112026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    NC State University Partnership CorporationRaleigh, NC$5,625,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    University of ChicagoChicago, IL$5,483,4362026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    ForefrontChicago, IL$5,329,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Windward FundWashington, DC$5,301,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Environmental Defense FundWashington, DC$5,260,2852026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Cornell UniversityIthaca, NY$5,218,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Cardinal Hayes High SchoolBronx, NY$5,111,0842026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    The Salvation Army a Georgia CorporationAtlanta, GA$5,070,3502026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    NeighborGood Partners IncDover, DE$5,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    The Coalition for the HomelessLouisville, KY$5,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Family & Community Services IncRavenna, OH$5,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    The Road HomeSalt Lake City, UT$5,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Coalition for the Homeless of Central FloridaOrlando, FL$5,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Catholic Charities San FranciscoSan Francisco, CA$5,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    United Way of the PlainsWichita, KS$5,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Impact Services CorpPhiladelphia, PA$5,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    New Destiny Housing CorporationNew York, NY$5,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes
    Hope SolutionsPleasant Hill, CA$5,000,0002026General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    ImpactAssets Inc

    $47,000,000
    Bethesda, MD2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Climate Imperative Foundation

    $40,000,000
    San Francisco, CA2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Breakthrough Energy Catalyst Foundation

    $30,000,000
    Seattle, WA2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Low Income Investment Fund

    $30,000,000
    San Francisco, CA2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

    $30,000,000
    Washington, DC2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    The Pew Charitable Trusts

    $25,000,000
    Washington, DC2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Taproot Earth

    $25,000,000
    Philadelphia, PA2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Community Reinvestment Fund Inc

    $20,000,000
    Minneapolis, MN2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Climate Lead Inc

    $20,000,000
    San Francisco, CA2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Craft3

    $15,000,000
    Seattle, WA2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    National Philanthropic Trust

    $13,785,239
    Jenkintown, PA2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund

    $13,577,161
    Cincinnati, OH2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham

    $12,500,000
    Birmingham, AL2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Allied Climate Partners Inc

    $12,500,000
    New York, NY2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Vanderbilt University Medical Center

    $12,005,000
    Nashville, TN2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Asian Pacific Community Fund of Southern California

    $12,000,000
    Los Angeles, CA2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    East Tennessee Children's Hospital Association Inc

    $12,000,000
    Knoxville, TN2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Metropolitan Family Services

    $11,154,105
    Chicago, IL2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc

    $10,188,000
    New York, NY2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Tides Center

    $10,160,500
    Los Angeles, CA2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Friendship Educational Foundation

    $10,000,000
    Redondo Beach, CA2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    George M Pullman Educational Foundation

    $10,000,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Rights and Resources Institute Inc

    $9,900,000
    Washington, DC2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Alliance of Local Service Organizations

    $7,421,860
    Chicago, IL2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Mayo Clinic

    $7,301,000
    Rochester, MN2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership Inc

    $7,000,000
    Indianapolis, IN2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Northwestern University

    $6,990,600
    Evanston, IL2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    The Nature Conservancy

    $6,531,938
    Shelter Island, NY2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Center for Housing and Health

    $5,894,010
    Chicago, IL2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Johns Hopkins University

    $5,782,232
    Baltimore, MD2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    American Indian College Fund

    $5,650,500
    Denver, CO2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    NEW LIFE CENTERS OF CHICAGOLAND NFP

    $5,631,511
    Chicago, IL2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    NC State University Partnership Corporation

    $5,625,000
    Raleigh, NC2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    University of Chicago

    $5,483,436
    Chicago, IL2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Forefront

    $5,329,000
    Chicago, IL2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Windward Fund

    $5,301,000
    Washington, DC2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Environmental Defense Fund

    $5,260,285
    Washington, DC2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Cornell University

    $5,218,000
    Ithaca, NY2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Cardinal Hayes High School

    $5,111,084
    Bronx, NY2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    The Salvation Army a Georgia Corporation

    $5,070,350
    Atlanta, GA2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    NeighborGood Partners Inc

    $5,000,000
    Dover, DE2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    The Coalition for the Homeless

    $5,000,000
    Louisville, KY2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Family & Community Services Inc

    $5,000,000
    Ravenna, OH2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    The Road Home

    $5,000,000
    Salt Lake City, UT2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Coalition for the Homeless of Central Florida

    $5,000,000
    Orlando, FL2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Catholic Charities San Francisco

    $5,000,000
    San Francisco, CA2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    United Way of the Plains

    $5,000,000
    Wichita, KS2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Impact Services Corp

    $5,000,000
    Philadelphia, PA2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    New Destiny Housing Corporation

    $5,000,000
    New York, NY2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes

    Hope Solutions

    $5,000,000
    Pleasant Hill, CA2026

    General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes