The Soderquist Family Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on strengthening urban youth and neighborhood opportunity in Oak Park/Chicago-area communities, funding organizations that combine faith-based youth ministry with practical workforce and entrepreneurship training. Nearly all giving is focused on two repeat grantees that deliver direct services to young people—one that runs urban youth ministries and another that provides entrepreneurship training—indicating a hands-on, place-based approach to youth development and economic mobility.
The Soderquist Family Foundation’s recent grantmaking is anchored by repeated support for Entrenuity, including a $479,500 grant in 2024 for urban entrepreneurship training. That pattern points to a funder that backs direct-service organizations working with young people in Chicago-area neighborhoods and nearby communities. Another core relationship is with Westlawn Youth Network, which received $200,000 in 2024 for church missions programs and $180,000 in 2025 for urban youth ministries. The foundation’s portfolio also includes education support, neighborhood-based youth programs, and faith-linked service work. Recent grants to Pursue Scholars, Dickson Valley Camp, and Christianity Today show that the foundation’s interests extend beyond one program model, but the recurring names in the grant list suggest a concentrated approach rather than a broad, distributed one. Across the latest grants on file, the foundation appears to favor organizations that combine youth development, practical training, and faith-based community engagement, especially in Illinois.
Urban entrepreneurship and youth economic mobility are a central thread. The foundation gave $479,500 to Entrenuity in 2024 for urban entrepreneurship training, after a $310,000 grant in 2023. It also supported urban youth education through a $50,000 grant in 2025 to Goddess. Education and scholarship support is another visible area. Pursue Scholars received $100,000 in both 2024 and 2025 for urban education scholarships, and Wheaton College received $50,000 in 2025 for education. Faith-based programming appears in several grants as well. Westlawn Youth Network received $200,000 in 2024 for church missions programs, while Operation Mobilization USA received $60,000 in 2024 for church missions programs. The foundation also funded Christianity Today $75,000 in 2025 for a Black church associate editor position.
Typical grants cluster around a $10,000 median, with a $6,000 25th percentile and a $37,500 75th percentile. The recent list also includes much larger awards, which indicates that the foundation uses both mid-sized and substantial program grants. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Entrenuity, Westlawn Youth Network, Pursue Scholars, Dickson Valley Camp, Love Justice International, Christianity Today, Potters House Association International, Operation Mobilization USA, and Teach Beyond. That repeat pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-off awards. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not make program-related investments.
$1.1M
$10.8M
$318K
$1.3M
Most grants fall between $6K and $38K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$6K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$38K
About 40% of grants go to recipients in IL.
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Soderquist Family Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 96 | $3.6M | 99.0% |
| 2 | Canada | 1 | $10K |
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Highly concentrated: a small number of large, repeat grants to a couple of core local partners rather than many one-off awards; funding is programmatic and operational support for direct-service organizations.
Notable grantees: ENTRENUITY, WESTLAWN YOUTH NETWORK
Giving is national, but Illinois is the clearest center of activity, with 40% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Chicago appears repeatedly in the recipient list, alongside Bellwood, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Carol Stream, and Newark. Outside Illinois, grants reached Pewaukee, Lincoln, Tyrone, Siloam Springs, Argyle, and Nampa. The recipient country distribution is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with 96 grants in the United States and 1 in Canada.
Its recent grants include urban entrepreneurship training, urban youth ministries, education scholarships, youth camping, anti-human-trafficking services, refugee ministry and services, and church missions programs. The pattern points to youth development and faith-linked community work, especially in Illinois.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Entrenuity, Westlawn Youth Network, Pursue Scholars, Dickson Valley Camp, Love Justice International, Christianity Today, Potters House Association International, Operation Mobilization USA, and Teach Beyond.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $10,000 at the median, with $6,000 at the 25th percentile and $37,500 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants also include larger awards such as $479,500 to Entrenuity and $200,000 to Westlawn Youth Network.
Illinois is the top state by grant count, accounting for 40% of grants to recipients in the foundation’s data. Recipient cities in Illinois include Chicago, Bellwood, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Carol Stream, and Newark.
The recent grants are national in scope. While Illinois receives the largest share, the recipient list also includes organizations in Wisconsin, Nebraska, Georgia, Arkansas, Texas, Idaho, and Canada.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WESTLAWN YOUTH NETWORK | BELLWOOD, IL | $180,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - URBAN YOUTH MINISTRIES |
| DICKSON VALLEY CAMP | NEWARK, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - YOUTH CAMPING |
| PURSUE SCHOLARS | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - URBAN EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS |
| EZEKIEL RAIN | SILOAM SPRINGS, AR | $90,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING SERVICES |
| POTTERS HOUSE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL | PEWAUKEE, WI | $90,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - URBAN POOR SERVICES |
| CHRISTIANITY TODAY | WHEATON, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - MEDIA-BLACK CHURCH ASSOCIATE EDITOR POSITION |
| LOVE JUSTICE INTERNATIONAL | LINCOLN, NE | $65,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING SERVICES |
| WHEATON COLLEGE | WHEATON, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - EDUCATION |
| GODDESS | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - URBAN YOUTH EDUCATION |
| IAFR (INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR REFUGEES CANADA) | WHEATON, IL | $36,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - REFUGEE MINISTRY/SERVICES |
| TEACH BEYOND | DOWNERS GROVE, IL | $35,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - EDUCATION SERVICES |
| CROSS TIMBERS CHURCH | ARGYLE, TX | $31,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP | NAMPA, ID | $25,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS AVIATION SERVICES |
| WALTHER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | MELROSE PARK, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - SECONDARY EDUCATION |
| JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY | SILOAM SPRINGS, AR | $20,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - EDUCATION |
| GRIP OUTREACH FOR YOUTH | CHICAGO, IL | $18,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - URBAN YOUTH EDUCATION |
| ONE COLLECTIVE | ELGIN, IL | $18,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - URBAN CHURCH MINISTRIES |
| WEST AFRICAN CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES | VALPARAISO, IN | $15,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - EDUCATION SERVICES |
| JOSIAH VENTURE | WHEATON, IL | $12,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - YOUTH MINISTRIES/EDUCATION |
| FRIENDS OF THE GREAT COMMISSION | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $12,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - CHURCH NETWORKING |
| OPERATION MOBILIZATION USA | TYRONE, GA | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS PROGRAMS |
| HARVEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | KELLER, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE |
| YOUTH FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL | ENGLEWOOD, CO | $8,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - YOUTH MINISTRIES |
| GLOBAL PARTNERS | FISHERS, IN | $6,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS PROGRAMS |
| CALVARY FAMILY OF CHURCHES | LITTLETON, CO | $6,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS PROGRAM |
| CRU | ORLANDO, FL | $6,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - URBAN YOUTH PROGRAMS |
| COMMISSION TO EVERY NATION | KERRVILLE, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - REFUGEE MINISTRY |
| NEW LIFE CENTERS OF CHICAGOLAND | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - URBAN POOR SERVICES |
| SEED COMPANY | ARLINGTON, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - BIBLE TRANSLATION |
| CMML | SPRING LAKE, NJ | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS PROGRAMS |
| STREET PSALMS | TACOMA, WA | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - URBAN POOR SERVICES |
| GENERATION TO GENERATION NETWORK (G2G) | GILBERT, AZ | $4,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - YOUTH SERVICES |
| FISHHOOK INTERNATIONAL | LEXINGTON, KY | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS PROGRAMS |
| NEW GENERATIONS | LOS ALTOS, CA | $2,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE - URBAN POOR SERVICES |
| ENTRENUITY | CHICAGO, IL | $479,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - URBAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING |
| WESTLAWN YOUTH NETWORK | BELLWOOD, IL | $200,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS PROGRAMS |
| PURSUE SCHOLARS | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - URBAN EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS |
| LOVE JUSTICE INTERNATIONAL | LINCOLN, NE | $85,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING SERVICES |
| CHRISTIANITY TODAY | CAROL STREAM, IL | $75,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - MEDIA-BLACK CHURCH ASSOCIATE EDITOR POSITION |
| POTTERS HOUSE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL | PEWAUKEE, WI | $75,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - URBAN POOR SERVICES |
| DICKSON VALLEY CAMP | NEWARK, IL | $70,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - YOUTH CAMPING |
| OPERATION MOBILIZATION USA | TYRONE, GA | $60,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS PROGRAMS |
| TEACH BEYOND | DOWNERS GROVE, IL | $35,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - EDUCATION SERVICES |
| IAFR (INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR REFUGEES CANADA) | WHEATON, IL | $25,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - REFUGEE MINISTRY/SERVICES |
| WALTHER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY | MELROSE PARK, IL | $20,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - SECONDARY EDUCATION |
| JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY | SILOAM SPRINGS, AR | $20,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - EDUCATION |
| ONE COLLECTIVE | ELGIN, IL | $15,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - URBAN CHURCH MINISTRIES |
| WEST AFRICAN CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES | VALPARAISO, IN | $15,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - EDUCATION SERVICES |
| JOSIAH VENTURE | WHEATON, IL | $12,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - YOUTH MINISTRIES/EDUCATION |
| FRIENDS OF THE GREAT COMMISSION | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO | $10,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE - CHURCH NETWORKING |
WESTLAWN YOUTH NETWORK
$180,000CHARITABLE - URBAN YOUTH MINISTRIES
DICKSON VALLEY CAMP
$100,000CHARITABLE - YOUTH CAMPING
PURSUE SCHOLARS
$100,000CHARITABLE - URBAN EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS
EZEKIEL RAIN
$90,000CHARITABLE - ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING SERVICES
POTTERS HOUSE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL
$90,000CHARITABLE - URBAN POOR SERVICES
CHRISTIANITY TODAY
$75,000CHARITABLE - MEDIA-BLACK CHURCH ASSOCIATE EDITOR POSITION
LOVE JUSTICE INTERNATIONAL
$65,000CHARITABLE - ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING SERVICES
WHEATON COLLEGE
$50,000CHARITABLE - EDUCATION
GODDESS
$50,000CHARITABLE - URBAN YOUTH EDUCATION
IAFR (INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR REFUGEES CANADA)
$36,500CHARITABLE - REFUGEE MINISTRY/SERVICES
TEACH BEYOND
$35,000CHARITABLE - EDUCATION SERVICES
CROSS TIMBERS CHURCH
$31,000CHARITABLE
MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP
$25,000CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS AVIATION SERVICES
WALTHER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
$20,000CHARITABLE - SECONDARY EDUCATION
JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY
$20,000CHARITABLE - EDUCATION
GRIP OUTREACH FOR YOUTH
$18,000CHARITABLE - URBAN YOUTH EDUCATION
ONE COLLECTIVE
$18,000CHARITABLE - URBAN CHURCH MINISTRIES
WEST AFRICAN CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
$15,000CHARITABLE - EDUCATION SERVICES
JOSIAH VENTURE
$12,000CHARITABLE - YOUTH MINISTRIES/EDUCATION
FRIENDS OF THE GREAT COMMISSION
$12,000CHARITABLE - CHURCH NETWORKING
OPERATION MOBILIZATION USA
$10,000CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS PROGRAMS
HARVEST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
$10,000CHARITABLE
YOUTH FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL
$8,000CHARITABLE - YOUTH MINISTRIES
GLOBAL PARTNERS
$6,000CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS PROGRAMS
CALVARY FAMILY OF CHURCHES
$6,000CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS PROGRAM
CRU
$6,000CHARITABLE - URBAN YOUTH PROGRAMS
COMMISSION TO EVERY NATION
$5,000CHARITABLE - REFUGEE MINISTRY
NEW LIFE CENTERS OF CHICAGOLAND
$5,000CHARITABLE - URBAN POOR SERVICES
SEED COMPANY
$5,000CHARITABLE - BIBLE TRANSLATION
CMML
$5,000CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS PROGRAMS
STREET PSALMS
$5,000CHARITABLE - URBAN POOR SERVICES
GENERATION TO GENERATION NETWORK (G2G)
$4,000CHARITABLE - YOUTH SERVICES
FISHHOOK INTERNATIONAL
$2,000CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS PROGRAMS
NEW GENERATIONS
$2,000CHARITABLE - URBAN POOR SERVICES
ENTRENUITY
$479,500CHARITABLE - URBAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING
WESTLAWN YOUTH NETWORK
$200,000CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS PROGRAMS
PURSUE SCHOLARS
$100,000CHARITABLE - URBAN EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS
LOVE JUSTICE INTERNATIONAL
$85,000CHARITABLE - ANTI-HUMAN TRAFFICKING SERVICES
CHRISTIANITY TODAY
$75,000CHARITABLE - MEDIA-BLACK CHURCH ASSOCIATE EDITOR POSITION
POTTERS HOUSE ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL
$75,000CHARITABLE - URBAN POOR SERVICES
DICKSON VALLEY CAMP
$70,000CHARITABLE - YOUTH CAMPING
OPERATION MOBILIZATION USA
$60,000CHARITABLE - CHURCH MISSIONS PROGRAMS
TEACH BEYOND
$35,000CHARITABLE - EDUCATION SERVICES
IAFR (INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR REFUGEES CANADA)
$25,000CHARITABLE - REFUGEE MINISTRY/SERVICES
WALTHER CHRISTIAN ACADEMY
$20,000CHARITABLE - SECONDARY EDUCATION
JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY
$20,000CHARITABLE - EDUCATION
ONE COLLECTIVE
$15,000CHARITABLE - URBAN CHURCH MINISTRIES
WEST AFRICAN CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
$15,000CHARITABLE - EDUCATION SERVICES
JOSIAH VENTURE
$12,000CHARITABLE - YOUTH MINISTRIES/EDUCATION
FRIENDS OF THE GREAT COMMISSION
$10,000CHARITABLE - CHURCH NETWORKING