The Leonard and Joan Foundation concentrates its giving locally in Chicago, with a clear emphasis on supporting higher education and a secondary interest in performing arts. Grants are relatively large and targeted—primarily funding university programs at Loyola University Chicago and University of Illinois Chicago—alongside support for a community theatre organization. The foundation appears to favor institution-level education investments and occasional cultural/arts projects within the Chicago area.
A $100,000 grant to Loyola University Chicago is the largest recent award on file for The Leonard and Joan Foundation, and it helps define the funder’s pattern: substantial support for Chicago institutions, especially higher education and the performing arts. Across the recent grants list, the foundation also returned to University of Illinois Chicago, Season of Concern, and International Voices Project, suggesting a mix of university-based giving and arts-related community support. The foundation’s recent record shows repeated grants rather than isolated one-time awards. Chicago-based recipients appear frequently, with universities, theatre organizations, and health-related nonprofits all represented. Alongside education and theatre, the foundation has made smaller grants to medical research groups and public-support organizations, including National Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Cancer Society, American Brain Tumor Association, and American National Red Cross. The Leonard and Joan Foundation’s giving profile is therefore centered on institution-level support, with larger commitments reserved for universities and a steady stream of smaller grants to arts and health charities. That combination points to a funder that favors named organizations and recurring relationships over broad, open-ended funding.
Education is a major theme in the recent grants. The foundation gave $100,000 to Loyola University Chicago in 2023 and $50,000 to University of Illinois Chicago in 2025, both listed under education. Theatre and performance also occupy a visible place in the portfolio. Season of Concern received $32,144 in 2023, $21,057 in 2024, and $20,000 in 2025 for theatre productions, while Storycatchers Theatre received $10,010 in 2024 and $5,000 in 2023 for theatre productions. Health-related giving appears through research and care-focused grants. International Essential Tremor Foundation received $10,010 in 2024 and $7,000 in 2023 for medical research, and American National Red Cross received $5,125 in both 2024 and 2025 for medical care. The foundation also supported International Voices Project, which appears in both theatre productions and community service in the recent records.
Typical grant size is small to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $1,075, the median is $2,500, and the 75th percentile is $2,618. The recent grants list also includes several larger institutional awards, but most grants cluster near the low-thousands. Giving appears to recur across years. Season of Concern, International Essential Tremor Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Cancer Society, American Brain Tumor Association, and American National Red Cross all show repeat grants in consecutive years. The foundation is not a private operating foundation and does not make program-related investments. The recent records do not show an application process, so the pattern is best read as relationship-based grantmaking to named organizations.
$309K
$7M
$1M
$370K
Most grants fall between $1K and $3K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$3K
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Concentrated, small portfolio of relatively large one-off grants focused on a few local institutions; primarily supports higher education with occasional arts funding and some non-standard/administrative disbursements.
Notable grantees: Loyola University Chicago, University of Illinois Chicago, Season of Concern, PART I LN 25 CASH BASIS CONTR ADJUS (administrative/tax-related record)
Grants are heavily concentrated in Illinois, with 62% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Chicago is the clearest city-level center: Loyola University Chicago, University of Illinois Chicago, Season of Concern, Storycatchers Theatre, Black Ensemble Theater, Theo Ubique, and others are all Chicago recipients. Outside Illinois, the recent list includes Fairfield, Connecticut; Lenexa, Kansas; and Wilmette, Illinois. The overall country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 164 grants to U.S. recipients.
The recent grants list shows a mix of universities, theatre organizations, and health-related nonprofits. Examples include Loyola University Chicago and University of Illinois Chicago for education, Season of Concern and Storycatchers Theatre for theatre productions, and American Cancer Society, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and American National Red Cross for medical research or care.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Season of Concern, International Essential Tremor Foundation, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, American Cancer Society, American Brain Tumor Association, and American National Red Cross. That pattern suggests recurring support rather than one-time-only awards.
The grant-size distribution is small to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $1,075, the median is $2,500, and the 75th percentile is $2,618. Recent records also include a few much larger awards, such as the $100,000 grant to Loyola University Chicago.
Most grants go to Illinois recipients, with 62% of grants awarded in the foundation’s HQ state. Chicago is the main city in the record, but the foundation also gave to recipients in Fairfield, Connecticut, and Lenexa, Kansas.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $51,600 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| PART I LN 25 CASH BASIS CONTR ADJUS | CHICAGO, IL | $30,512 | 2026 | PART 1 LN 25 CASH BASIS CONTR ADJ |
| SEASON OF CONCERN | CHICAGO, IL | $20,600 | 2026 | THEATRE PRODUCTIONS |
| INTERNATIONAL VOICES PROJECT | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| MUSIC THEATER WORKS | WILMETTE, IL | $10,500 | 2026 | THEATRE PRODUCTIONS |
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUN | CHICAGO, IL | $10,350 | 2026 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| SAVE THE CHILDREN FEDERATION INC | FAIRFIELD, CT | $10,220 | 2026 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| INTERNATIONAL ESSENTIAL TREMOR FOUN | LENEXA, KS | $10,010 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| THEO UBIQUE | EVANSTON, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | THEATRE PRODUCTIONS |
| ALBANY PARK THEATER PROJECT | CHICAGO, IL | $7,575 | 2026 | THEATRE PRODUCTIONS |
| LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $7,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| LUNGEVITY | CHICAGO, IL | $5,332 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| CHICAGO READER | CHICAGO, IL | $5,311 | 2026 | PUBLIC MEDIA |
| NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $5,300 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| AMERICAN BRAIN TUMOR ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $5,289 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $5,275 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| NATIONAL IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $5,149 | 2026 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS | CHICAGO, IL | $5,125 | 2026 | MEDICAL CARE |
| CHICAGO HOUSE AND SOCIAL SERVICE | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | HOUSING |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA | CHICAGO, IL | $2,750 | 2026 | PUBLIC RADIO |
| BLACK BUTTON EYES | CHICAGO, IL | $2,717 | 2026 | THEATRE PRODUCTIONS |
| MARCH OF DIMES | ARLINGTON, VA | $2,645 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| AMERICAN AUTOIMMUNE RELATED DISEASE ASSOCIATION | CLINTON TOWNSHIP, MI | $2,643 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION | MERRIFIELD, VA | $2,628 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $2,614 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| UNICEF | NEW YORK, NY | $2,614 | 2026 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| ONE ACRE FUND | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $2,596 | 2026 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | WASHINGTON DC, DC | $2,581 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| ARTHRITIS NATIONAL RESEARCH FOUND | IRVINE, CA | $2,581 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| BROADWAY CARES EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS | NEW YORK, NY | $2,580 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER | MONTGOMERY, AL | $2,575 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| INTERNATIONAL RESCUE COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,575 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE | CHICAGO, IL | $2,575 | 2026 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR MUSICAL THEAT | NEW YORK, NY | $2,563 | 2026 | MUSICAL THEATRE |
| MICHAEL J FOX PARKINSONS | NEW YORK, NY | $2,558 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| NATIONAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2026 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| RHEUMATOLOGY RESEARCH FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $2,500 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BOARDERS | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $2,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| NATIONAL KERATOCONUS FOUNDATION | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,500 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| BLACK ENSEMBLE THEATER | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2026 | THEATRE PRODUCTIONS |
| THE ARTHRITIS FUND INC | ATLANTA, GA | $2,113 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $2,084 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| SUCCESS FOR ALL | TOWSON, MD | $2,083 | 2026 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| HOWARD BROWN HEALTH CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $2,064 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
| SAVOY AIRES | EVANSTON, IL | $2,060 | 2026 | THEATRE PRODUCTIONS |
| WORLD WILDLIFE FUND | WASHINGTON DC, DC | $2,030 | 2026 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| VISION TO LEARN | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,000 | 2026 | PUBLIC SUPPORT |
| SHATTERED GLOBE THEATER | CHICAGO, IL | $1,545 | 2026 | THEATRE PRODUCTIONS |
| FEEDING AMERICA | CHICAGO, IL | $1,500 | 2026 | COMMUNITY SERVICE |
| FOUNDATION FOR AIDS RESEARCH | NEW YORK, NY | $1,059 | 2026 | MEDICAL RESEARCH |
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO
$51,600EDUCATION
PART I LN 25 CASH BASIS CONTR ADJUS
$30,512PART 1 LN 25 CASH BASIS CONTR ADJ
SEASON OF CONCERN
$20,600THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
INTERNATIONAL VOICES PROJECT
$15,000COMMUNITY SERVICE
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUN
$10,350PUBLIC SUPPORT
INTERNATIONAL ESSENTIAL TREMOR FOUN
$10,010MEDICAL RESEARCH
THEO UBIQUE
$10,000THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
LUNGEVITY
$5,332MEDICAL RESEARCH
CHICAGO READER
$5,311PUBLIC MEDIA
NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY
$5,300MEDICAL RESEARCH
AMERICAN NATIONAL RED CROSS
$5,125MEDICAL CARE
CHICAGO HOUSE AND SOCIAL SERVICE
$5,000HOUSING
BLACK BUTTON EYES
$2,717THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION
$2,628MEDICAL RESEARCH
UNICEF
$2,614PUBLIC SUPPORT
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
$2,581MEDICAL RESEARCH
ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE
$2,575PUBLIC SUPPORT
NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR MUSICAL THEAT
$2,563MUSICAL THEATRE
MICHAEL J FOX PARKINSONS
$2,558MEDICAL RESEARCH
NATIONAL RESOURCES DEFENSE COUNCIL
$2,500PUBLIC SUPPORT
DOCTORS WITHOUT BOARDERS
$2,500COMMUNITY SERVICE
NATIONAL KERATOCONUS FOUNDATION
$2,500MEDICAL RESEARCH
THE ARTHRITIS FUND INC
$2,113MEDICAL RESEARCH
SUCCESS FOR ALL
$2,083PUBLIC SUPPORT
SAVOY AIRES
$2,060THEATRE PRODUCTIONS
SHATTERED GLOBE THEATER
$1,545THEATRE PRODUCTIONS