The DRW Foundation focuses its philanthropy almost exclusively on education, concentrating significant gifts to K–12 charter school networks and higher-education STEM institutions. A large proportion of its funding has gone to a single Chicago-based charter operator (Noble Network of Charter Schools) with additional support for elite science and technology research/education at Caltech, indicating a preference for institutional, impact-oriented education investments.
Highly concentrated: few, large grants with repeat funding to a primary grantee (Noble Network) and a single major gift to a national STEM university (Caltech).
A $500,000 grant to California Institute of Technology stands out in Drw Foundation’s recent giving and points to a clear preference for institutional education support. The foundation’s grants repeatedly back organizations tied to college access, STEM learning, and career readiness, with large checks flowing to charter-school networks and technical training partners rather than small community awards. Noble Network of Charter Schools received multiple grants across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including a $465,398 award in 2024 and a $315,000 award in 2025, showing sustained support for one Chicago-based education provider. The foundation also backed Code Platoon with a $200,000 grant in 2025, reflecting interest in workforce pathways that move participants into software engineering roles. Across the grant list, the pattern is program-agnostic general support, directed toward organizations that can use flexible funding to sustain long-term education and opportunity work. Recent grants also include Chicago Tech Academy High School, The Bloc, Greenwood Project, Bottom Line, and Kids First Chicago for Education, reinforcing a portfolio centered on education infrastructure and talent development.
Drw Foundation’s clearest pattern is support for K–12 charter and college-preparatory education. Noble Network of Charter Schools received $315,000 in 2025 and $465,398 in 2024 as general support, while Chicago Tech Academy High School received $110,000 in 2025 and $100,000 in 2023. The foundation also funds college-access and persistence work: Bottom Line received $113,400 in 2025 and $100,000 in 2024. In STEM and career pathways, Code Nation received $100,000 in 2024 for general support, and The Bloc received $110,000 in 2023 plus $100,000 in 2025. Greenwood Project was awarded $150,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025, indicating repeated backing for a program with ongoing relevance to the foundation’s education and opportunity focus.
Typical grants cluster around a median of $30,000, with the lower quartile at $10,296 and the upper quartile at $80,000. That said, the recent list shows a meaningful number of six-figure awards, especially for institutional education partners. The same organizations reappear across multiple years, including Noble Network of Charter Schools, Code Platoon, Greenwood Project, Bottom Line, and Kids First Chicago for Education, which points to recurring rather than one-off support. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF or program-related investor, and its recent grants are largely stated as general support, signaling flexible funding rather than project-only awards.
$7.6M
$400K
$2.7M
$2.7M
Most grants fall between $10K and $80K, with a median of $30K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$30K
75th Percentile
$80K
About 73% of grants go to recipients in TX.
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Notable grantees: Noble Network of Charter Schools, California Institute of Technology
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with 135 grants to recipients in the United States. Illinois is the main recipient state by share, with 73% of grants going to recipients there, and Chicago appears repeatedly in the recipient list. Other recipient cities that show up include Pasadena, New York, Boston, Hillside, Washington, DC, and Lakeview, Michigan. The geographic footprint is regional rather than national in spread, with a heavy concentration in Illinois alongside select education and advocacy organizations elsewhere in the U.S.
The foundation focuses on access to education, career readiness, and opportunity in underserved communities. Recent grants also show support for K–12 charter schools, college-access organizations, STEM education, and software engineering training pathways.
The grant-size distribution centers on a $30,000 median, with a lower quartile of $10,296 and an upper quartile of $80,000. Recent awards also include several six-figure grants, including $500,000 to California Institute of Technology and $465,398 to Noble Network of Charter Schools.
Yes. Several organizations appear across multiple years, including Noble Network of Charter Schools, Code Platoon, Greenwood Project, Bottom Line, and Kids First Chicago for Education. That pattern suggests ongoing support rather than isolated awards.
The grant list is entirely U.S.-based, with 135 grants in the United States. Illinois receives 73% of grants, and Chicago shows up frequently among recipient locations, while other recipients are in Pasadena, New York, Boston, Hillside, Washington, DC, and Lakeview, Michigan.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY | PASADENA, CA | $500,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NOBLE NETWORK OF CHARTER SCHOOLS | CHICAGO, IL | $315,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CODE PLATOON | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREENWOOD PROJECT | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOTTOM LINE | CHICAGO, IL | $113,400 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO TECH ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $110,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KIDS FIRST CHICAGO FOR EDUCATION | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY SUPPORT FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE BLOC | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OWLS LACROSSE | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| METROSQUASH NFP | CHICAGO, IL | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BEAT THE STREETS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $80,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| START EARLY | CHICAGO, IL | $65,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NOURISHING HOPE DBA LAKEVIEW PANTRY | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICA NEEDS YOU | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ASPIRE OF ILLINOIS | MAYWOOD, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| COLLEGE POSSIBLE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO SCHOLARS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CURT'S CAFE | SKOKIE, IL | $45,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| INSPIRATION CORPORATION | CHICAGO, IL | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OPEN BOOKS LTD | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE WOMEN'S HOME | HOUSTON, TX | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE ALLIANCE 98 | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| REBUILDING EXCHANGE | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| VOCEL | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ONE GOAL | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| READING IN MOTION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RESILIENCE | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HYDE PARK ART CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CODE 2 COLLEGE INC | PFLUGERVILLE, TX | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THRIVE SCHOLARS | LOS ANGELES, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $21,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEIGHBORHOOD BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AUTISM SPEAKS | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP |
| MAKE MOMMA PROUD | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA FOOD BANK INC | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| HISPANIC FEDERATION | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICA SCORES CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NYOS CHARTER SCHOOL INC | AUSTIN, TX | $3,824 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OPEN HEART MAGIC | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOUNCE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | DEERFIELD, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | DALLAS, TX | $515 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NOBLE NETWORK OF CHARTER SCHOOLS | CHICAGO, IL | $465,398 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GREENWOOD PROJECT | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CODE PLATOON | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY SUPPORT FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BOTTOM LINE | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OWLS LACROSSE | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KIDS FIRST CHICAGO FOR EDUCATION | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
$500,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NOBLE NETWORK OF CHARTER SCHOOLS
$315,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CODE PLATOON
$200,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GREENWOOD PROJECT
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BOTTOM LINE
$113,400GENERAL SUPPORT
CHICAGO TECH ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL
$110,000GENERAL SUPPORT
KIDS FIRST CHICAGO FOR EDUCATION
GENERAL SUPPORT
EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY SUPPORT FUND INC
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE BLOC
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
OWLS LACROSSE
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
METROSQUASH NFP
$80,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BEAT THE STREETS CHICAGO
$80,000GENERAL SUPPORT
START EARLY
$65,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NOURISHING HOPE DBA LAKEVIEW PANTRY
$60,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICA NEEDS YOU
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ASPIRE OF ILLINOIS
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
COLLEGE POSSIBLE
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHICAGO SCHOLARS FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CURT'S CAFE
$45,000GENERAL SUPPORT
INSPIRATION CORPORATION
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
OPEN BOOKS LTD
$35,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE WOMEN'S HOME
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE ALLIANCE 98
$30,000GENERAL SUPPORT
REBUILDING EXCHANGE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
VOCEL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ONE GOAL
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
READING IN MOTION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
RESILIENCE
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HYDE PARK ART CENTER
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CODE 2 COLLEGE INC
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THRIVE SCHOLARS
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
$21,500GENERAL SUPPORT
NEIGHBORHOOD BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AUTISM SPEAKS
$15,000SPONSORSHIP
MAKE MOMMA PROUD
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA FOOD BANK INC
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
HISPANIC FEDERATION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICA SCORES CHICAGO
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NYOS CHARTER SCHOOL INC
$3,824GENERAL SUPPORT
OPEN HEART MAGIC
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF ILLINOIS
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
BOUNCE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
$515GENERAL SUPPORT
NOBLE NETWORK OF CHARTER SCHOOLS
$465,398GENERAL SUPPORT
GREENWOOD PROJECT
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CODE PLATOON
$150,000GENERAL SUPPORT
EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY SUPPORT FUND INC
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BOTTOM LINE
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
OWLS LACROSSE
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
KIDS FIRST CHICAGO FOR EDUCATION
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT