Build healthy, local food systems and increase equitable access to fresh food, while empowering community members—especially youth—through programming in food access, bike education, local business incubation, and arts.
The Experimental Station C/o Connie Spreen’s grantmaking is anchored by local food markets and the infrastructure around them: repeated support for Chicago-area farmers markets, food co-ops, grocery partners, and market networks that help residents use SNAP-linked benefits. Recent awards show a pattern of underwriting market operations over multiple years, with Green City Market, Cermak Produce No 7 Inc, One Stop Foods & Liquor Inc, and A&s Supermercado Inc Aka MI Mexico all appearing in the grant list. The foundation also backs organizations outside the city proper when they strengthen the same local food system, including The Land Connection in Champaign, Neighborhood Co-op in Carbondale, and Sugar Beet Food Co-op in Oak Park. Alongside food access, the foundation supports market-facing community capacity. Its active programs include seller training for new market vendors, Link Match support for participating food retailers and farm-to-consumer outlets, and local business incubation on Chicago’s South Side. That mix points to a funder that uses grants and program support to strengthen both supply and access in Illinois food markets, rather than funding isolated one-time projects. Recent grant amounts in the public list range from modest market support to six-figure awards, with repeat grantees receiving support across different years.
A central focus is fresh food access through market and retail partners. The foundation gave $177,500 to Green City Market in 2025 and $102,500 in 2024, both labeled support for a local farmers market. It also made a $173,175 grant to Cermak Produce No 7 Inc for the same purpose, showing direct support for a grocery-linked market channel. Another clear theme is community food retail in multiple parts of Illinois. Grants to Neighborhood Co-op Grocery in Carbondale, Sugar Beet Food Co-op in Oak Park, and Common Ground Food Co-op in Urbana all support local farmer’s markets or related food access work. The presence of both co-ops and corner-store style retailers aligns with the foundation’s Link Match programs for grocery stores, co-ops, and other food outlets. The foundation also funds market infrastructure tied to place-based economic development. City of Evanston, Downtown Evanston Farmers’ Market, and Woodstock Farmers Market appear in the recent grant list, reflecting support for the organizations that host and operate market access in their communities.
$1.3M
$1.6M
$3.1M
$3.3M
Most grants fall between $10K and $34K, with a median of $18K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$18K
75th Percentile
$34K
CONSTANCE SPREEN
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Typical awards are concentrated in a small-grant band: the 25th percentile is $10,266, the median is $18,000, and the 75th percentile is $34,000. The recent list also shows larger market-support grants above that range, including multiple six-figure awards. This is recurring grantmaking, not a one-off pattern. Green City Market appears in both 2024 and 2025, Cermak Produce No 7 Inc in 2024 and 2025, and Sugar Beet Food Co-op in 2023, 2024, and 2025. The foundation is not an individual-giving funder and does not make program-related investments. Its active programs include unsolicited application pathways for Link Match Grocery/Store and Link Match Grant, while other support such as local business incubation is invitation-based.
Grantmaking is entirely in Illinois, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and the top giving state. Chicago is the main city cluster, including Green City Market, Cermak Produce No 7 Inc, One Stop Foods & Liquor Inc, A&s Supermercado Inc Aka MI Mexico, Top Box Foods, and Logan Square Chamber of Commerce. Outside Chicago, the grants reach Rockford, Evanston, Carbondale, Oak Park, Champaign, Urbana, Woodstock, Waukegan, and Cobden. The country distribution is all U.S.-based recipients.
Its recent grants go to farmers markets, food co-ops, grocery and corner-store partners, and other local food access organizations. Examples include Green City Market, Cermak Produce No 7 Inc, Sugar Beet Food Co-op, Neighborhood Co-op Grocery, and Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market.
It backs Link Match programs for farmers markets, farm stands, CSAs, mobile markets, delivery services, and participating grocery stores or co-ops. The active grant programs also include Link Match Grocery/Store Application and Link Match Grant, both tied to SNAP benefit matching in Illinois.
The grant-size distribution is $10,266 at the 25th percentile, $18,000 at the median, and $34,000 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include larger market-support grants above $100,000, such as multiple awards to Chicago-area market partners.
Yes. Although Chicago receives many grants, the recent list also includes recipients in Rockford, Evanston, Carbondale, Oak Park, Champaign, Urbana, Woodstock, Waukegan, and Cobden. All grants shown are to Illinois-based recipients.
Yes. The Farmers Market Seller Training Program offers multi-week training for people new to farmers markets or small business owners new to markets. Participants receive a $200 stipend and free enrollment in a Summer Festival Sanitation Certificate class. The foundation also offers discounted long-term rental space and resources for mission-aligned local businesses on Chicago’s South Side.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Experimental Station C/O Connie Spreen that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Participating locations must already accept SNAP/Link. Separate pathways are shown for farm-to-consumer operations (farmers markets, farm stands, CSA, mobile market, delivery service, other farm-to-consumer) and for food co-ops, grocery stores, or corner stores.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GREEN CITY MARKET | CHICAGO, IL | $177,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| CERMAK PRODUCE NO 7 INC | CHICAGO, IL | $173,175 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| ONE STOP FOODS & LIQUOR INC | CHICAGO, IL | $134,287 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| A&S SUPERMERCADO INC AKA MI MEXICO | CHICAGO, IL | $109,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| THE LAND CONNECTION | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $83,950 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| COMMON GROUND FOOD CO-OP | URBANA, IL | $75,738 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| ALBERTSON'S COMPANY INC | LOS ANGELEA, CA | $68,324 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| NEIGHBORHOOD CO-OP GROCERY | CARBONDALE, IL | $64,525 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| SUGAR BEET FOOD CO-OP | OAK PARK, IL | $63,867 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| UPTOWN FARMERS MARKET NFP | CHICAGO, IL | $32,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| VILLAGE OF SKOKIE | SKOKIE, IL | $30,761 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| FARMERS MARKET OF CARBONDALE | COBDEN, IL | $22,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN | GLENCOE, IL | $22,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| MORGAN FOOD LLC | CHICAGO, IL | $21,860 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| THE URBAN CANOPY | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| NORTHBROOK FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION | NORTHBROOK, IL | $17,362 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| OLD CAPITAL FARMERS MARKET | SPRINGFIELD, IL | $17,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| GLENWOOD SUNDAY MARKET AKA ROGERS PARK BUSINESS ALLIANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $16,250 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| LINCOLN SQUARE FARMERS MARKET | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| YELLOW BANANA ILLINOIS LLC | CLEVELAND, OH | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| DILL PICKLE FOOD CO-OP | CHICAGO, IL | $13,351 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| PEORIA RIVERFRONT ASSOCIATION | PEORIA, IL | $12,524 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| INNER-CITY MUSLIM ACTION NETWORK | CHICAGO, IL | $11,482 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| DOWNTOWN EVANSTON FARMERS' MARKET | EVANSTON, IL | $9,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| WICKER PARK BUCKTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | CHICAGO, IL | $8,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE | SPRINGFIELD, IL | $7,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| BATAVIA MAINSTREET | BATAVIA, IL | $7,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| FOOD SHED CO-OP | WOODSTOCK, IL | $6,778 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| TOWN SQUARE MARKET | CARBONDALE, IL | $6,215 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| MAIN STREET OF STERLING INC | STERLING, IL | $5,375 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET |
| GREEN CITY MARKET | CHICAGO, IL | $102,500 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| THE LAND CONNECTION | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| CERMAK PRODUCE NO 7 INC | CHICAGO, IL | $93,650 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| A&S SUPERMERCADO INC AKA MI MEXICO | CHICAGO, IL | $88,105 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| SUGAR BEET FOOD CO-OP | OAK PARK, IL | $85,471 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| ONE STOP FOODS & LIQUOR INC | CHICAGO, IL | $79,552 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| FOOD WORKS | CARBONDALE, IL | $61,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| LOGAN SQUARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | CHICAGO, IL | $53,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| NEIGHBORHOOD CO-OP GROCERY | CARBONDALE, IL | $51,003 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| DOWNTOWN EVANSTON FARMERS' MARKET | EVANSTON, IL | $50,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET | WOODSTOCK, IL | $45,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| FARMERS MARKET OF CARBONDALE | COBDEN, IL | $40,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| GLENWOOD SUNDAY MARKET AKA ROGERS PARK BUSINESS ALLIANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $34,973 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| THE URBAN CANOPY | CHICAGO, IL | $34,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| CHICAGO MARKET - A COMMUNITY CO-OP | CHICAGO, IL | $33,800 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| ANDERSONVILLE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | CHICAGO, IL | $33,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| DEMANGE FARMS | COLLINSVILLE, IL | $30,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN | GLENCOE, IL | $30,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| VILLAGE OF SKOKIE | SKOKIE, IL | $27,440 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
| COMMON GROUND FOOD CO-OP | URBANA, IL | $26,481 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET |
CERMAK PRODUCE NO 7 INC
$173,175SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
ONE STOP FOODS & LIQUOR INC
$134,287SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
A&S SUPERMERCADO INC AKA MI MEXICO
$109,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
COMMON GROUND FOOD CO-OP
$75,738SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
ALBERTSON'S COMPANY INC
$68,324SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
NEIGHBORHOOD CO-OP GROCERY
$64,525SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
SUGAR BEET FOOD CO-OP
$63,867SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
UPTOWN FARMERS MARKET NFP
$32,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
VILLAGE OF SKOKIE
$30,761SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
FARMERS MARKET OF CARBONDALE
$22,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
MORGAN FOOD LLC
$21,860SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
THE URBAN CANOPY
$20,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
NORTHBROOK FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION
$17,362SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
OLD CAPITAL FARMERS MARKET
$17,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
GLENWOOD SUNDAY MARKET AKA ROGERS PARK BUSINESS ALLIANCE
$16,250SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
LINCOLN SQUARE FARMERS MARKET
$15,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
YELLOW BANANA ILLINOIS LLC
$15,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
DILL PICKLE FOOD CO-OP
$13,351SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
PEORIA RIVERFRONT ASSOCIATION
$12,524SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
DOWNTOWN EVANSTON FARMERS' MARKET
$9,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
WICKER PARK BUCKTOWN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$8,500SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
$7,500SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
BATAVIA MAINSTREET
$7,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
FOOD SHED CO-OP
$6,778SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
TOWN SQUARE MARKET
$6,215SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
MAIN STREET OF STERLING INC
$5,375SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FAMER'S MARKET
CERMAK PRODUCE NO 7 INC
$93,650SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
A&S SUPERMERCADO INC AKA MI MEXICO
$88,105SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
SUGAR BEET FOOD CO-OP
$85,471SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
ONE STOP FOODS & LIQUOR INC
$79,552SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
FOOD WORKS
$61,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
LOGAN SQUARE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
$53,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
NEIGHBORHOOD CO-OP GROCERY
$51,003SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
DOWNTOWN EVANSTON FARMERS' MARKET
$50,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET
$45,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
FARMERS MARKET OF CARBONDALE
$40,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
GLENWOOD SUNDAY MARKET AKA ROGERS PARK BUSINESS ALLIANCE
$34,973SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
THE URBAN CANOPY
$34,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
CHICAGO MARKET - A COMMUNITY CO-OP
$33,800SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
ANDERSONVILLE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$33,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
DEMANGE FARMS
$30,000SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
VILLAGE OF SKOKIE
$27,440SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
COMMON GROUND FOOD CO-OP
$26,481SUPPORT FOR LOCAL FARMER'S MARKET
