The Field Foundation of Illinois appears to concentrate its annual giving on sustaining a single, local human-services provider — in this case a major operating grant to YWCA Northwestern Illinois. The foundation prioritizes unrestricted support that keeps front-line programs for women and families running, indicating a focus on regional, direct-service impact rather than broad national or policy work.
Field Foundation of Illinois shows a clear pattern of large, repeated support for YWCA Northwestern Illinois, including a $1,156,480 project grant in 2026 and a $1,113,528 operating grant in 2025. That pairing points to a funder willing to back both program delivery and core organizational capacity for a regional human-services provider. Across the recent-grants list, the foundation also makes sizable awards to Chicago-based civic, arts, and journalism organizations, often through unrestricted or operating support. Its giving combines direct-service funding with support for community infrastructure. Grants reach organizations working in women and family services, local news, arts groups, and resident-led civic work. Several awards are tied to ongoing operations rather than one-time projects, suggesting a focus on sustaining institutions that already serve local communities. The foundation also uses fellowship and leadership funding, including grants made through its Leaders for a New Chicago work. With annual grants of $10,767,926 and a local geographic scope, the pattern is concentrated rather than diffuse, with most grants landing in Illinois.
Women and family services are a visible part of the foundation’s work. The largest recent grant, $1,156,480 to YWCA Northwestern Illinois, was designated for a specific project or program, following a $1,113,528 operating grant to the same organization the year before. Community infrastructure is another theme. Field Foundation of Illinois gave $250,000 to 10 Individuals - Details Upon Request under Leaders for New Chicago, a program that awards unrestricted funding to community-based leaders and operating support to their affiliated nonprofits. Local arts and storytelling also receive support. The foundation awarded $100,000 to Uprising Theater for ongoing operations and $100,000 to Public Narrative for ongoing operations, alongside support for organizations such as Half Step, Enrich Chicago, and True Star Foundation. These grants show attention to both cultural production and the organizations that keep it running.
Typical grant sizes cluster in the mid-five-figure range: p25 is $15,000, the median is $25,000, and p75 is $35,000. The recent-grants list also shows a smaller set of much larger awards, including seven-figure and six-figure grants. Recipients appear across multiple years, especially in operating support and project support to the same organizations. Field Foundation of Illinois is a regular funder, not a DAF, and the data show it funds individuals through its leaders program. An online application portal is used for grant submissions, and several active programs accept unsolicited applications.
$10.8M
$49M
$15.4M
$14.2M
Most grants fall between $15K and $35K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$15K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$35K
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Highly concentrated: a single, large operating grant to a local human-services organization (repeat grantee status unclear from this snapshot). Emphasis on unrestricted/operating support to sustain frontline service delivery rather than many small or diversified grants.
Notable grantees: YWCA Northwestern Illinois
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in Illinois, with 94% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Recent awards land in Rockford, Savoy, Marion, Springfield, and many Chicago organizations. Chicago is a major center for the foundation’s arts, journalism, and leadership-related funding, while recipients outside Chicago include United Way of Champaign County in Savoy, Southern Illinois Community Foundation in Marion, and United Way of Central Illinois in Springfield. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
Recent grants support women and family services, community power building, journalism and storytelling, arts organizations, and leadership development. Examples in the data include YWCA Northwestern Illinois, United Way of Champaign County, Uprising Theater, Public Narrative, and the Leaders for New Chicago program.
Yes for several programs. The data shows unsolicited applications are accepted for A Road Together, Community Power Building, Journalism & Storytelling, Justice Grants, Leadership Fellowship, Leadership Investment: Field Fellowship, Healing Illinois, and the Application Portal is listed as the submission route.
The middle of the distribution sits in the low tens of thousands: p25 is $15,000, median grant size is $25,000, and p75 is $35,000. The recent-grants list also includes larger awards, including several $100,000 grants and some much larger project and operating grants.
Illinois is the center of its giving. The data shows 94% of grants go to recipients in IL, and the recent-grants list is made up entirely of U.S. recipients, with Chicago accounting for many of the awards.
Yes. The foundation’s data marks funds individuals as True, and the recent grants include Leaders for New Chicago awards made to 10 Individuals - Details Upon Request, alongside related operating support for affiliated nonprofits.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Financiamiento actual y próximo de Field Foundation of Illinois al que tu organización sin fines de lucro podría postularse.
¿Quién puede postularse? The program focuses on local news outlets and newsrooms serving Chicago communities. Organizations generally must have 501(c)(3) status, although fiscal agents or sponsors may occasionally apply. Documentary work is not funded.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YWCA NORTHWESTERN ILLINOIS | ROCKFORD, IL | $1,156,480 | 2026 | PROJECT - FUNDING FOR A SPECIFIC PROJECT OR PROGRAM |
| UNITED WAY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY | SAVOY, IL | $556,440 | 2026 | PROJECT - FUNDING FOR A SPECIFIC PROJECT OR PROGRAM |
| SICF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | MARION, IL | $430,444 | 2026 | PROJECT - FUNDING FOR A SPECIFIC PROJECT OR PROGRAM |
| UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS | SPRINGFIELD, IL | $346,135 | 2026 | PROJECT - FUNDING FOR A SPECIFIC PROJECT OR PROGRAM |
| 10 INDIVIDUALS - DETAILS UPON REQUE | CHICAGO, IL | $250,000 | 2026 | LEADERS FOR NEW CHICAGO |
| HALF STEP | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| TRUE STAR FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ENRICH CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UPRISING THEATER | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ALT SPACE CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MITCHELL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN | EVANSTON, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| D-COMPOSED GIVES | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT ON RACE AND EQUITY | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | CAPACITY - FUNDING TO INCREASE TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CAPABILITIES OR EFFECTIVENESS |
| DEFINITION THEATRE COMPANY | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SOUTH SIDE WEEKLY NFP | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | CAPACITY - FUNDING TO INCREASE TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CAPABILITIES OR EFFECTIVENESS |
| PRISON NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS PROJECT | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO ARTISTS COALITION | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ALTERNATIVE NEWSWEEKLY FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | CAPACITY - FUNDING TO INCREASE TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CAPABILITIES OR EFFECTIVENESS |
| BORDERLESS MAGAZINE NFP | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | CAPACITY - FUNDING TO INCREASE TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CAPABILITIES OR EFFECTIVENESS |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS | COLLEGE PARK, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SAN FRANCISCO STUDY CENTER FS FOR MINDSITE NEWS | OAKLAND, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAS MEDIA INITIATIVE NFP | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| EQUALITY ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WOODSTOCK INSTITUTE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SOUTH SIDE COMMUNITY ART CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CITY BUREAU FS FOR CICERO INDEPENDIENTE | CICERO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FIREBIRD COMMUNITY ARTS | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CITY BUREAU NFP | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SHOREFRONT LEGACY CENTER | EVANSTON, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FOREFRONT | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GREEN STAR MOVEMENT NFP | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ALLIED MEDIA PROJECTS FS FOR AIRGO | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| REPARATIONS MEDIA NFP | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAN INDIAN CENTER INC | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| YOUTH FOR A BETTER FUTURE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GRANTMAKERS IN THE ARTS | NEW YORK, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ORGANIZED COMMUNITIES AGAINST DEPORTATIONS | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO ACCESS CORPORATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PUBLIC NARRATIVE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FLOATING MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| KUUMBA LYNX | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| 18TH STREET CASA DE CULTURA | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| YR MEDIA | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| INDEPENDENT FILM ALLIANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | CAPACITY - FUNDING TO INCREASE TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CAPABILITIES OR EFFECTIVENESS FOR FISCALLY SPONSORED FERTILE GROUND FACTORY LLC |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE LAND OF LINCOLNPRESS FORWARD | SPRINGFIELD, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | PROJECT - FUNDING FOR A SPECIFIC PROJECT OR PROGRAM |
| ETA CREATIVE ARTS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ARTISTS COOPERATIVE RESIDENCY AND EXHIBITIONS PROJECT | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| READER INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY JOURNALISM INC | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO LAWYERS' COMMITTEE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS UNDER LAW INC | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION |
PROJECT - FUNDING FOR A SPECIFIC PROJECT OR PROGRAM
UNITED WAY OF CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
$556,440PROJECT - FUNDING FOR A SPECIFIC PROJECT OR PROGRAM
SICF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$430,444PROJECT - FUNDING FOR A SPECIFIC PROJECT OR PROGRAM
UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS
$346,135PROJECT - FUNDING FOR A SPECIFIC PROJECT OR PROGRAM
10 INDIVIDUALS - DETAILS UPON REQUE
$250,000LEADERS FOR NEW CHICAGO
HALF STEP
$200,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
UPRISING THEATER
$100,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$100,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
D-COMPOSED GIVES
$75,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
INVESTIGATIVE PROJECT ON RACE AND EQUITY
$75,000CAPACITY - FUNDING TO INCREASE TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CAPABILITIES OR EFFECTIVENESS
DEFINITION THEATRE COMPANY
$75,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
SOUTH SIDE WEEKLY NFP
$75,000CAPACITY - FUNDING TO INCREASE TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CAPABILITIES OR EFFECTIVENESS
OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
CHICAGO ARTISTS COALITION
$75,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
CAPACITY - FUNDING TO INCREASE TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CAPABILITIES OR EFFECTIVENESS
CAPACITY - FUNDING TO INCREASE TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CAPABILITIES OR EFFECTIVENESS
OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
AMERICAS MEDIA INITIATIVE NFP
$50,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
EQUALITY ILLINOIS
$50,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
CITY BUREAU FS FOR CICERO INDEPENDIENTE
$50,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
SHOREFRONT LEGACY CENTER
$50,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
GREEN STAR MOVEMENT NFP
$50,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
ALLIED MEDIA PROJECTS FS FOR AIRGO
$50,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
REPARATIONS MEDIA NFP
$50,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
AMERICAN INDIAN CENTER INC
$50,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
YOUTH FOR A BETTER FUTURE
$50,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
CHICAGO ACCESS CORPORATION
$50,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
FLOATING MUSEUM
$50,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
18TH STREET CASA DE CULTURA
$50,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
YR MEDIA
$50,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
INDEPENDENT FILM ALLIANCE
$50,000CAPACITY - FUNDING TO INCREASE TO THE ORGANIZATION'S CAPABILITIES OR EFFECTIVENESS FOR FISCALLY SPONSORED FERTILE GROUND FACTORY LLC
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE LAND OF LINCOLNPRESS FORWARD
$50,000PROJECT - FUNDING FOR A SPECIFIC PROJECT OR PROGRAM
ETA CREATIVE ARTS FOUNDATION
$50,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
READER INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY JOURNALISM INC
$50,000OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION
OPERATING - FUNDING FOR ONGOING OPERATIONS OF THE ORGANIZATION