The Jessica Fund is a Chicago-focused funder that concentrates its giving on major cultural institutions and a smaller stream to women's causes. The bulk of support goes to large arts organizations—particularly performing arts and contemporary visual arts—often through multiple, sizable grants to the same institutions. Grants are local and aimed at sustaining flagship cultural organizations that shape Chicago’s arts ecology.
Highly concentrated: few, large grants primarily to arts institutions in Chicago with repeat multi-grant support for select flagship organizations; occasional targeted giving to civic/women’s causes.
The Jessica Fund C/o Carol Prins gives as a Chicago-centered supporter of major cultural institutions, with some of its largest recent gifts going to the city’s flagship performing arts and contemporary art organizations. The single largest grant in the recent list was $350,000 to Chicago Theatre Group Inc. for general operating support in 2024, followed by substantial support to the Museum of Contemporary Art, which received $150,000 in 2023 and $125,000 in 2024. Those awards point to a funder that uses operating support to sustain core cultural infrastructure rather than project-only funding. Its grant list also shows a smaller but consistent stream to women’s causes in Chicago, including support for Chicago Foundation for Women. Alongside that local emphasis, the funder has backed a broader set of institutions tied to education, history, and community life, such as the Chicago History Museum, Erickson Institute, and Francis W. Parker School. Across the recent grants, general operating support is the dominant purpose, suggesting a preference for flexible funding that helps established organizations maintain day-to-day work and long-term stability.
Arts funding is the clearest theme in the recent grants. The Jessica Fund C/o Carol Prins gave $350,000 to Chicago Theatre Group Inc. in 2024 for general operating support, then followed with $100,000 in 2025 and $125,000 in 2023 to the same organization. The Museum of Contemporary Art also received repeated operating support, including $150,000 in 2023, $125,000 in 2024, and $27,500 in 2025. Women’s advocacy appears in a separate strand of giving. Chicago Foundation for Women received $60,000 in 2023 and $26,000 in 2024, both for general operating support. The funder also supports education and institutional capacity. Dartmouth College received $25,000 in 2024, Barnard College received $20,000 in 2023 and $20,000 in 2024, and Francis W. Parker School received $11,000 in 2025. These gifts show a mix of cultural, educational, and civic priorities, all backed by flexible funding.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized rather than one-off mega-awards: the p25 is $2,500, the median is $5,000, and the p75 is $10,750. The recent list also includes a small number of much larger operating grants to core Chicago institutions, which lifts the average above the median. The pattern is recurring rather than episodic; multiple recipients appear across more than one year, including Chicago Theatre Group Inc., Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago Foundation for Women, Barnard College, The Brearley School, Chicago Sinai Temple, and Georgia O'keefe Museum. The foundation is structured as a private fund managed in care of Carol Prins, and the grants shown are overwhelmingly general operating support. No application process is described in the data.
$387K
$2.9M
$388K
$422K
Most grants fall between $3K and $11K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$11K
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Notable grantees: Chicago Theatre Group Inc, Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago), Chicago Foundation for Women
Giving is national, but the center of gravity is Chicago: 56% of grants go to recipients in Illinois, and the top state by grant count is IL. Chicago recipients include Chicago Theatre Group Inc., Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago Foundation for Women, Chicago History Museum, Erickson Institute, Francis W. Parker School, Chicago Arts Foundation, and Chicago Sinai Temple. Outside Illinois, recipients are spread across a small number of other U.S. cities, including New York, Hanover, Ann Arbor, Santa Monica, Encino, Santa Fe, Los Angeles, and Starkville. All recent grants in the dataset go to U.S. organizations.
The recent grants are dominated by Chicago arts institutions and other established nonprofits. Chicago Theatre Group Inc. and the Museum of Contemporary Art received multiple operating grants, and Chicago Foundation for Women also appears in the list. Education, history, and community institutions such as Barnard College, Dartmouth College, and the Chicago History Museum also received support.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is relatively small to mid-sized: p25 is $2,500, median grant size is $5,000, and p75 is $10,750. The recent list also includes much larger operating grants to a few anchor institutions in Chicago.
Yes. Several organizations appear across multiple years, including Chicago Theatre Group Inc. in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Museum of Contemporary Art in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Chicago Foundation for Women in 2023 and 2024; and Barnard College and The Brearley School in more than one year.
Most grants go to Illinois, which accounts for 56% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Chicago is the main recipient city, but the foundation also gives nationally to organizations in New York, Hanover, Ann Arbor, Santa Monica, Encino, Santa Fe, Los Angeles, and Starkville.
General operating support is the dominant pattern in the recent grants. The largest awards to Chicago Theatre Group Inc. and the Museum of Contemporary Art, along with gifts to Chicago Foundation for Women and Chicago History Museum, are all labeled general operating support, indicating flexible funding for core operations rather than project-only grants.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART | CHICAGO, IL | $90,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN | CHICAGO, IL | $80,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO THEATRE GROUP INC | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF UNITED HATZALAH INC | NEW YORK, NY | $24,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION INC | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYHOUSE | NEW YORK, NY | $12,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STANDWITHUS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $11,120 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO SINAI TEMPLE | CHICAGO, IL | $10,675 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BARNARD COLLEGE | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN - CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE FOR MUSIC AND NEROLOGIC FUNCTION | MOUNT VERNON, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MAMAN NONPROFIT | ENCINO, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TEMPLE SHALOM | CHICAGO, IL | $8,990 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN FOUNDATION INC | SAVANNAH, GA | $8,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| IMPACT FORUM FOUNDATION | ENCINO, CA | $7,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE JEWISH AGENCY FOR ISRAEL - NORTH AMERICAN COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GIRLFORWARD | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GEORGIA O'KEEFE MUSEUM | SANTA FE, NM | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| READY FOR SUCCEED | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MITZVAH MATTERS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| VOCEL | CHICAGO, IL | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF UNIT 669 INC | LIVINGSTON, NJ | $3,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| IMERMAN ANGELS | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER | NORTHBROOK, IL | $2,100 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRANCIS W PARKER SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE NETWORK ADVOCATING AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE | CHICAGO, IL | $750 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALMOST HOME KIDS | CHICAGO, IL | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN JEWISH WORLD SERVICES | NEW YORK, IL | $500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ARTS CLUB OF CHICAGO | CHICAGOI, IL | $300 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO THEATRE GROUP INC | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART | CHICAGO, IL | $27,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| THE BREARLEY SCHOOL | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MAMAN NONPROFIT | ENCINO, CA | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRANCIS W PARKER SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $11,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LETS DO SOMETHING | STARKVILLE, MS | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| STANDWITHUS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| GEORGIA O'KEEFE MUSEUM | SANTA FE, NM | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO ARTS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO SINAI TEMPLE | CHICAGO, IL | $6,225 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF SHEBA MEDICAL CENTER | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ZIONESS | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHABAD AT UCLA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MITZVAH MATTERS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TAMID | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TEMPLE SHALOM | CHICAGO, IL | $3,905 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
$90,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE NEIGHBORHOOD PLAYHOUSE
$12,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHICAGO SINAI TEMPLE
$10,675GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF THE CHILDREN - CHICAGO
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
INSTITUTE FOR MUSIC AND NEROLOGIC FUNCTION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MAMAN NONPROFIT
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TEMPLE SHALOM
$8,990GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
JUSTICE FOR CHILDREN FOUNDATION INC
$8,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MITZVAH MATTERS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF UNIT 669 INC
$3,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FRANCIS W PARKER SCHOOL
$1,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ARTS CLUB OF CHICAGO
$300GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
$27,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
THE BREARLEY SCHOOL
$20,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION ILLINOIS
$15,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MAMAN NONPROFIT
$12,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM
$12,500GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FRANCIS W PARKER SCHOOL
$11,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LETS DO SOMETHING
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHICAGO ARTS FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHICAGO SINAI TEMPLE
$6,225GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHABAD AT UCLA
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MITZVAH MATTERS
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TAMID
$5,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
TEMPLE SHALOM
$3,905GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT