Foundations that fund arts and culture in Illinois
These 25 foundations made grants to arts and culture in Illinois in the most recent IRS filing I have for each. None of them ticked the box for giving only to preselected organizations, and each filing gives application instructions or a website. That doesn't prove a foundation takes applications, and some on this list may not. The text below is copied from the filings, most of them for tax year 2024, so check a foundation's website or call before you apply.
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Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
- $52,500 to Chicago Cultural Alliance, Chicago: Filipino american historical society of chicago
- $50,000 to Experimental Sound Studio, Chicago: General operations
- $50,000 to Friends of the Chicago River, Chicago: General operations
How to apply: Organizations apply for grants using an online system linked from the gaylord and dorothy donnelley foundation's website (www.gddf.org).
Deadlines: 11:59pm et on the deadlines posted on the foundation's website.
Restrictions: See website for more information.
Field Foundation of Illinois
- $100,000 to Alt Space Chicago, Chicago: Operating - funding for ongoing operations of the organization
- $100,000 to True Star Foundation, Chicago: Operating - funding for ongoing operations of the organization
- $75,000 to South Side Weekly Nfp, Chicago: Capacity - funding to increase to the organization's capabilities or effectiveness
How to apply: Https://www.grantinterface.com/home/logon?urlkey=fieldfoundation
Deadlines: Https://fieldfoundation.org/how-to-apply/submission-process/
Restrictions: Https://fieldfoundation.org/generalguidelines/
Lloyd A Fry Foundation
- $250,000 to The Barack Obama Foundation, Chicago: For support of the obama presidential center
- $100,000 to Ingenuity Incorporated Chicago, Chicago: For data, research, and professional learning initiatives
- $65,000 to Uniting Voices, Chicago: For the neighborhood choirs & dimension ensemble
How to apply: Please visit: https://www.fryfoundation.org/how-to-apply/overview/
Deadlines: Please visit: https://www.fryfoundation.org/how-to-apply/deadlines/
Restrictions: Please visit: https://www.fryfoundation.org/how-to-apply/overview/
Polk Bros Foundation Inc
- $250,000 to Window To the World Communications, Chicago: Special Projects
- $250,000 to Navy Pier Inc, Chicago: Arts Access and Learning
- $150,000 to Ingenuity Incorporated Chicago, Chicago: Arts Access and Learning
How to apply: Application form available from foundation office and website
Deadlines: Continuous
Restrictions: Must be organization exempt under sec 501(c)(3)
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
- $500,000 to Ingenuity Incorporated Chicago, Chicago: General operating
- $500,000 to Chicago Public Media, Chicago: General operating;capital
- $125,000 to Marwen Foundation, Chicago: General operating
How to apply: Visit https://www.crownfamilyphilanthropies.org to apply online
Deadlines: Visit https://www.crownfamilyphilanthropies.org for more information
Restrictions: Visit https://www.crownfamilyphilanthropies.org for more information
The Joyce Foundation
- $300,000 to Chicago Public Media Inc, Chicago: Journalism
- $125,000 to Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago: Culture
- $100,000 to Court Theatre Fund, Chicago: Culture
How to apply: See attachment
Restrictions: See attachment
Terra Foundation for American Art
- $342,500 to National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago: Art education
- $300,000 to Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago: Art education
- $150,000 to National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago: Art education
How to apply: Please consult our website "www.terraamericanart.org" for grant application details.
Deadlines: Various
Restrictions: Please consult our website "www.terraamericanart.org" for grant application details.
The Shubert Foundation Inc
- $350,000 to Chicago Theatre Group Inc, Chicago: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
- $190,000 to Northlight Theatre, Skokie: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
- $125,000 to Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago: General operating support for theatrical productions and activities
How to apply: All requests must be submitted on the foundation's application form and include a copy of the applicant's letter from the u.s. Treasury department granting federal tax exemption under section 501(c)(3) of the u.s. Internal revenue code. To be eligible for a grant and if audited...
Deadlines: See general explanation attachment
Restrictions: The shubert foundation exclusively provides funds for general operating support. Funds are not provided for project support, nor allocated for capital or endowment campaigns, nor to individuals or conduit organizations.
The Andrew W Mellon Foundation
- $2,864,500 to The Center for Economic Research and Social Change Inc, Chicago: To continue support for the writing freedom fellowship
- $2,000,000 to The Historymakers, Chicago: To support general operations
- $1,250,000 to The Barack Obama Foundation, Chicago: To support the obama presidential center museums plans for art programming
Restrictions: Activities supported by foundation grants must be charitable, educational or scientific under the provisions of the u.s. Internal revenue code and the treasury regulations.
The Poetry Foundation
- $45,000 to Young Chicago Authors, Chicago: Equity in verse grant
- $40,000 to Kuumba Lynx, Chicago: Equity in verse grant
- $40,000 to Guild Complex, Chicago: Equity in verse grant
How to apply: The foundation awards grants to us-based nonprofit organizations through multiple initiatives including equity in verse and poetry programs, partnerships, and innovation. Using a competitive application review process, grants are awarded in the form of general operating support...
Deadlines: Guidelines and deadlines are available on the fnd's website at www.poetryfoundation.org/grants
Restrictions: Contact the organization
The Allstate Foundation
- $5,000 to Marwen Foundation, Chicago: Helping hands group grants
- $5,000 to Urban Gateways, Chicago: April 2024 flash consulting day
- $5,000 to Chicago Architecture Foundation, Chicago: 2024 pro bono project grant
How to apply: Letter of proposal
Deadlines: Proposal reviewed as received
Restrictions: Must be within the united states
Frederick Henry Prince Testamentary Trust
- $30,000 to National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago: general operating support
- $30,000 to Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago: general operating support
- $30,000 to Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Chicago: general operating support
How to apply: Information and materials that should be submitted along with an application include: written proposals, irs letter of determination under section 509(a), current budget, audited financial statements, and descriptive literature. The application is available online at the...
Deadlines: Applications are received throughout the year. Deadlines usually are in jan, may and june.
Restrictions: * The Trusts do not fund projects that promote or proselytize any religion. While we do fund the projects of faith-based organizations, those projects must be secular in nature. * The Trusts do not fund organizations that discriminate on...
Frankel Julius N Foundation
- $375,000 to Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago: Program support
- $175,000 to Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago: Program support
- $100,000 to Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Chicago: Program support
How to apply: The frankel foundation gives grants to qualified charitable organizations. Co-trustees review written grant proposals on a regular basis, and meet to discuss grant requests at least five times per year
Deadlines: Proposals may be submitted at any time in writing to the frankel foundation administrator.
Restrictions: Charitable organizations which benefit medical research, underprivileged persons, and cultural appreciation
Walter and Karla Goldschmidt Foundation
- $200,000 to Chicago Public Media, Chicago: Activities of the organization to which money was donated
- $100,000 to Writers Theatre, Glencoe: Activities of the organization to which money was donated
- $75,000 to Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago: Activities of the organization to which money was donated
How to apply: Written, no specific requirements
Beatrice P Delany Char Tr Xxxxx7003
- $100,000 to Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago: General
- $70,000 to Merit School of Music, Chicago: General
- $25,000 to Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Chicago: General
How to apply: The foundation does not employ standard forms for grant applications. It is the practice of the committee to consider each application on a case by case basis.
Deadlines: There is no submission deadline.
Restrictions: The grants are to be used for the general purpose of the donee.
Hobsonlucas Family Foundation
- $25,000 to Chicago Public Media, Chicago: General donation
- $25,000 to Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago: General donation
- $10,000 to Window To the World Communications, Chicago: General donation
How to apply: Letter with information regarding request.
Deadlines: There are no submission deadlines.
Restrictions: There are no restrictions or limitations on awards.
The Amphion Foundation Inc Co Alter Kendrick & Baron Llp
- $5,000 to Dal Niente New Music Nfp, Chicago: Encourage the performance of contemporary concert music
- $5,000 to Third Coast Percussion Nfp, Chicago: Encourage the performance of contemporary concert music
- $5,000 to Chicago Opera Theater, Chicago: Encourage the performance of contemporary concert music
How to apply: Letter
Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust
- $242,150 to National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago: Support nmma collection
- $236,000 to Chicago Opera Theater, Chicago: Support capital campaign
- $150,000 to Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago: Support a paid internship
How to apply: See attached guidelines
Restrictions: See attached guidelines
Elizabeth Morse Charitable Trust Xxxxx1008
- $250,000 to Chicago Opera Theater, Chicago: Support endowment campaign
- $100,000 to Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, Chicago: Support general operations
- $100,000 to Chicago Theatre Group Inc, Chicago: Support to implement a
How to apply: See attached guidelines
Restrictions: See attached guidelines
Grand Victoria Foundation
- $212,500 to Hamilton Wings, Elgin: General Operating Support
- $100,000 to Lighthouse Foundation of Chicagoland, Chicago: Project Support
- $76,500 to Soapbox Productions and Organizing, Chicago: General Operating Support
How to apply: Please see attachment.
Deadlines: Please see attachment.
Restrictions: Please see attachment.
The Simon Family Foundation
- $370,000 to Timeline Theatre Company, Chicago: To further the exempt purpose of the organization
- $150,000 to Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois Inc, Skokie: To further the exempt purpose of the organization
- $100,000 to Window To the World Communications, Chicago: To further the exempt purpose of the organization
How to apply: Written statement of charitable purpose
Sage Foundation
- $175,000 to Window To the World Communications Inc, Chicago: General, charitable, educational - Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival film
- $150,000 to Window To the World Communications Inc, Chicago: General, charitable, educational - Island Without Cars/Hydra
- $125,000 to Grant Park Orchestral Association, Chicago: General, charitable, educational
How to apply: Amount of grant requested. What the applicant intends to accomplish. How the applicant intends to reach the stated objectives, and how such objectives will further the applicant's tax-exempt purposes. What procedures the applicant has implemented to evaluate the results...
Deadlines: No deadlines.
Restrictions: No restrictions.
Bergstrom Inc Charitable Foundation Xxxxx2008
- $110,000 to Midway Village and Museum Center, Rockford: General
- $15,000 to Discovery Center Museum of Rockford, Rockford: General
- $10,000 to Sounds of Good News Inc, Rockford: General
How to apply: Www.jpmorgan.com/onlinegrants; outline purpose of proposed grants or funds include copy of 501(c)(3) letter
Restrictions: Preference to il residents and charitable organizations others considered for religious, charitable or educational purpose
Helen V Brach Foundation
- $15,000 to Skyart, Chicago: To support free art programs in local parochial schools on the South and West Sides of...
- $10,000 to Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago: To support Lyric Unlimited education and community-engagement programs which serve public...
- $10,000 to Tutoring Chicago, Chicago: To support one-to-one tutoring for grades 1-8 to empower 1,200 economically disadvantaged...
How to apply: Application form, available upon request
Deadlines: December 31 for consideration in year ending March 31
Restrictions: Must be organization exempt under Sect 501c3
Harper Court Arts Council Inc
- $10,000 to Court Theatre Fund, Chicago: Support high school theatre program
- $10,000 to Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Chicago: Support neighborhood Jazz Fest
- $10,000 to Hyde Park Art Center, Chicago: Support Art Center programs
How to apply: Written proposals of no more than five pages are required providing a brief description of the organization's history, purpose and activities, statement of the need for support,the Hyde Park/Kenwood Park population it serves, how the project will promote economic development (if...
Deadlines: See Organization's website for submission deadlines
Restrictions: The Organization will not consider requests for the following: 1) attempts to influence legislation or support a candidate for public office; 2) purchase of dinner or raffle tickets or advertising in an event program; 3) grants to...
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