Search Through Chicago Grants for Nonprofits in Illinois

Andrews Family Foundation: Board Grants

The Andrew Family Foundation is a private, philanthropic organization that will consider proposals from public, non-profit organizations under IRS Section 501(c)(3) to support projects and organizations that foster individual growth and enhance communities through education, humanitarian efforts, and the arts.

The history of the Andrew family includes a deep commitment in their community to improve the quality of life of individuals by providing the tools and opportunities that can enrich the individual’s life and help them become productive citizens. Based on this principle, Edward J. and Edith G. Andrew and their five children founded the Andrew Family Foundation in Chicago, Illinois in 1993 to continue the philanthropic legacy started by Victor J. and Aileen S. Andrew, Ed’s parents and the founders of Andrew Corporation. Through the Foundation and their personal involvement in local communities, the Andrew family is committed to continuing the legacy of creating opportunities for generations to come.

Qualified grant proposals will be reviewed by the Andrew Family Foundation Grant Making Committee prior to quarterly board meetings. The committee will make a recommendation to the Board of Directors of the Foundation.

Final grant awards are decided upon by the Board. Generally, the Board meets on a quarterly basis.

Barker Welfare Foundation Grants

The Barker Welfare Foundation provides grants to qualified charitable organizations whose initiatives improve the quality of life, with an emphasis on strengthening youth and families and to reflect the philosophy of Catherine B. Hickox, the Founder.

With the sale of the Haskell-Barker Car Company to the Pullman Company, Catherine Barker established the Barker Annuity Fund in 1924 to provide pensions for former Haskell & Barker employees and their families who were ineligible for benefits under the Pullman Company plan.

In 1934, The Barker Welfare Foundation was founded to support nonprofit organizations. After fulfillment of the Annuity Fund, the remaining balance was transferred to the Foundation, which is operated with the involvement of numerous Barker-Hickox heirs.

Consideration will be given to grant applications from institutions and agencies operating in the field of health, welfare, education, cultural activities, and civic affairs, primarily serving New York City (the five boroughs only) and Michigan City, Indiana.

Our Mission Statement

The mission of the Barker Welfare Foundation is to make grants to qualified charitable organizations whose initiatives improve the quality of life, with an emphasis on strengthening youth and families, which reflects the philanthropy of Catherine Barker Hickox The Founder.

Crankstart Foundation Grant

Crankstart is a San Francisco-based family foundation devoted to bolstering the foundations of a just society - wider access to better education, jobs with prospects for advancement, housing security, social welfare and the protection of civil rights. Crankstart also supports the arts, basic science and efforts to mitigate climate change. About 60% of grants go to groups in the San Francisco Bay Area.

While the Bay Area is our home, on occasion we have made commitments elsewhere – particularly in Chicago and the United Kingdom. The bulk of our grants fall between $100k - $1m. Once we have developed confidence in an organization, we lean toward making multi-year commitments for general support.

Crankstart envisions a vibrant, thriving Bay Area, where our region’s prosperity is strengthened and shared more equitably by all who live here.

Programs

• Economic Mobility - Everyone should have choices and opportunities that lead to economic stability and security. Crankstart focuses on root causes of economic disenfranchisement, particularly in low-income communities hurt by generational poverty.
  • We support work that:
    • Provides the tools and training needed for careers and economic security.
    • Strengthens safety net programs that provide food and health services.
    • Increases access to public benefits programs serving low-income people.
    • Mitigates the insidious effects of fines and fees that erode wealth.
• Education: Our public education system should provide every child and adult, regardless of circumstances, an opportunity to shape their lives.
  • We support work that:
    • Expands post-secondary access to academic and vocational studies, to help students develop the tools and resilience needed to pursue upward mobility.
    • Develops more opportunities for early childhood education and out-of-school learning, particularly in historically marginalized communities.
    • Strengthens the teacher pipeline, to recruit and retain excellent educators in public schools.
• Democracy: We envision a robust democracy in which elections are held securely and with integrity, every person has the information they need to fully participate in civic life, and the underlying structure of our electoral system is fair.
  • We support work that:
    • Protects voting rights through mobilization and engagement.
    • Supports immigrants, ensuring they have the opportunities they need to thrive.
    • Works to change harmful and unfair criminal justice policies.
    • Develops robust interventions to mitigate recidivism and provide economic opportunity.
• Housing Security: Housing security means all people have a place to call home. They have choices that promote economic well-being, health and safety.
  • Crankstart supports work in San Francisco and Oakland that:
    • Reduces homelessness through preventive measures and targeted services.
    • Provides affordable housing choices that allow people to live near work and become involved in their communities. We emphasize housing opportunities for those who are most affected by displacement and high housing costs.
    • Uses policy, law, public resources and good governance to promote economically integrated communities.
• Environment: Communities disproportionately affected by climate change should be partners and the primary beneficiaries of mitigation efforts.
  • We support work that:
    • Accelerates the transition to clean energy.
    • Restores and protects ecosystems in ways that benefit local communities.
• Medical Science & Innovation: Basic science is a foundation for knowledge and discovery based on facts, hypotheses and replicable results. This painstaking endeavor enhances our understanding of the world around us, which may translate into breakthroughs that benefit humans and life on earth.
  • We support work that:
    • Gives researchers funding and time to test novel hypotheses.

Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing CompanyOne of the largest employee-managed funds of its kind in the world, the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company has been empowering employees to make a greater impact by pooling their tax-deductible donations for more than 60 years. Employee-led grantmaking committees at 20 Boeing sites- provide combined employee donations to nonprofits in their communities through ECF grants.Charitable or educational organizations can apply for grants from the Employees Community Fund (ECF) of The Boeing Company.Chicago ChapterThe Chicago Chapter of the Employees Community Fund is one of the chapters of The Boeing Company’s employee-owned and managed nonprofit charitable organization. Boeing pays all of the administrative costs of the fund, so each and every dollar that employees contribute to the fund is distributed directly to local nonprofit organizations to support and advance their work in the community. ECF Grants are made possible by the regular donations of Boeing employees who want to make a significant and lasting impact on their local community by pooling together their resources.ECF FocusThe Chicago Chapter focuses on established nonprofits in the following areas: Arts and Culture, Education, Environment, and Health and Human Services. We emphasize programs that are sustainable, scalable, and replicable beyond the period of investment. Nonprofits are evaluated on a number of factors, including their history, mission, impact in the community, success of recent initiatives and alignment with our goals. Because we will not fund organizations on an ongoing basis, it is critical that the organization be able to sustain a project on a going forward basis without additional funding from ECF. Grants vary in size (typically between $3,000 and $10,000) depending on the project, as well as the number and quality of other grant applications and the amount of employee contributions to the Chicago Chapter in a given year.Each year we receive many more grant requests than we are able to fund. While it is not possible for every organization to receive funding, those that are in alignment with our goals and mission are given careful consideration. Applicants that are referred to by Boeing employees who contribute to the Chicago Chapter of the fund are prioritized over other applicants.

Journalism & Media Grant

The Journalism and Media program seeks to promote and amplify just and inclusive news and narratives, based on the belief that accurate and compelling media plays an important role in informing, engaging, and activating individuals and groups to take part in democratic practices and processes.

To build and strengthen organizations creating and disseminating just, accurate, and inclusive news and narratives, the program supports work in three areas:

• Professional Nonprofit Reporting
• Nonfiction Multimedia Storytelling
• Participatory Civic Media

In each of the three areas, the program pursues the following objectives:

• Build strong, independent, and sustainable organizations and networks that exemplify leadership and innovation in a rapidly changing media ecosystem and comprise the media infrastructure required to meet the democratic ideals of a multiracial, multiethnic America.
• Address barriers that limit the creation of, access to, or participation in media activities, including the legal, safety, digital security, and technological challenges facing organizations and individuals.
• Promoting learning, leadership, innovation, and field-building opportunities that explore timely and emerging issues related to the production, dissemination, and engagement with journalism and media.

Our Journalism and Media program supports U.S.-based nonprofit institutions with national reach and influence. In a few cases, we support regional and place-based organizations that are exemplars in their fields and provide a model for others to replicate.

We also support journalism and media in Chicago, where the Foundation is located, and in 2021, in partnership with MacArthur’s Technology in the Public Interest Program, we began supporting a small portfolio of organizations and activities focused on combatting racialized disinformation and conspiracy.

About Takeda

Takeda is a patient-focused, values-based, R&D-driven global biopharmaceutical company committed to bringing Better Health and a Brighter Future to people worldwide. Our passion and pursuit of potentially life-changing treatments for patients are deeply rooted in over 230 years of distinguished history in Japan.

Commitment to Community

Takeda has a long history of supporting nonprofit organizations through corporate giving, employee volunteerism and employee giving. Our Growing Communities program enables us to engage our employees and make meaningful contributions to support the communities where we live and work in the U.S., aiming to build deep, impactful relationships with our community partners.

Philanthropic Giving

Takeda’s purpose of “better health for people, brighter future for the world” serves as the inspiration for our corporate giving efforts. We seek to reduce the social disparities affecting communities in need by supporting meaningful programs in two focus areas: Food is Health and Building STEM Foundations.

Food is Health

• Access to nutritional food
• Medically tailored meals
• Elimination of swamps and deserts
• Urban farming

Eating a healthy diet is essential for maintaining good health and preventing chronic diseases. By providing access to healthy food and promoting education and awareness around healthy eating habits, we can help support communities in need and take an active role in improving healthcare and overall well-being. This is why we support programs that focus on the role of food in improving health.

The lack of good, healthy food burdens the U.S. health care system with an estimated $53 billion in avoidable expenses each year, says Feeding America. The pandemic further increased the demand for nutritious food and inflation put affordable healthy food out of reach for many working families. Yet good nutrition is essential for people to stay healthy.

We work with partners to provide the right nutrition to those who need it the most. Incorporating healthy foods into diets can help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and certain types of cancer. In addition, a healthy diet can improve mental health, boost energy levels and promote healthy aging.

Building STEM Foundations

• K-8 math
• High school STEM enrichment
• College success

To solve many of the most pressing challenges facing the world, like climate change and population health, we need diverse perspectives in science and technology. By investing in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education, we can prepare the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers to drive progress and shape the future. We support programs in the areas of K-8 math, high school STEM enrichment and college success.

Building a strong foundation in STEM subjects is critical for students who aspire to pursue careers in science. STEM education provides students with the necessary skills and knowledge to solve complex problems, think critically, and innovate. By developing a strong understanding of STEM fundamentals, students can pursue careers of tremendous impact.

STEM education can also help students develop important life skills such as teamwork, communication, and adaptability, which are essential for success in any career. By investing in STEM education, we can prepare the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers who will drive progress and shape the future. We focus on supporting programs in the areas of K-8 math, high school STEM enrichment and college success.

The Field Foundation Of Illinois 

The Field Foundation seeks to invest in organizations working to address systemic issues in divested communities. We see our current, past and prospective grantee partners as immense sources of power that need support in achieving objectives that will serve their communities. We seek to learn more about them for potential investment of our limited dollars.

Racial Priorities

The Field Foundation is committed to investing 60% of its portfolio in BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) organizations throughout the Chicago area. BIPOC organizations can be classified in the following way: By, for, and about serving BIPOC individuals, cultures, and communities. To assess whether your organization fits into this definition, please consider the following:

• BY: Your leadership and board are directed, managed, and/or led by majority BIPOC individuals.
• FOR: Your organization primarily works to improve social conditions for BIPOC cultures, communities, and individuals.
• ABOUT: Your organization’s mission references your commitment to serving BIPOC communities.

While the Field Foundation will continue to fund a range of nonprofits, we will be race explicit in our work, and focus on understanding how funding with a racial equity lens can improve outcomes for Chicagoans.

Geographic Priorities

To understand how need and race align throughout the city of Chicago, the Field Foundation created a series of maps. The maps outline a geographic study area where less than 10% of the residents are from Caucasian backgrounds. They analyze quality of life indicators such as educational outcomes, access to health insurance, commute times, violence rates, and access to arts and culture in those areas. By overlaying race with these quality of life indicators, we found there is an incredible divestment of resources leading to a nexus of poverty and trauma that align with communities of color in Chicago. 

Program Areas

Justice

The Field Foundation’s Justice portfolio seeks to support organizations working to address the root causes of inequity and systemic racism through community organizing, advocacy, and policy.

This looks like community organizing campaigns—driven by communities of color on Chicago’s South and West Sides—that engage community members directly impacted by inequities, challenge the status quo, demand changes in policy and practice, educate communities about root causes, and advocate for systemic and just solutions.

• What We Fund:
  • Field has prioritized several focus areas, including housing, immigration, and systems impacted by justice reform. While the Justice portfolio is interested in supporting and funding organizations working in these focus areas, we want to learn from communities addressing other critical issues and encourage applicants to organize and advocate outside of these issue areas.
• Things to keep in mind: 
  • Field is committed to supporting organizations strongly rooted in local communities to identify root causes of inequity.
  • We fund organizations working to address problems at both systemic and policy levels.

Media and Storytelling

The Field Foundation seeks to change how news production and storytelling reflect Chicago and create a more equitable, connected, and inclusive local media ecosystem—in which the stories of all Chicagoans are told accurately, fairly, authoritatively and contextually.

The Media & Storytelling program was created in partnership with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation following recommendations from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) journalists, media makers, and storytellers who participated in a series of salons and individual meetings organized by Field.

• What We Fund:
  • Partnerships and collaborations
  • Content creation
  • Capacity building
  • Training and leadership investment
  • Rapid response efforts
• Priorities:
  • The Field Foundation’s Journalism & Storytelling program is informed by recommendations from BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) journalists, media makers and storytellers who participated in a series of salons and individual meetings organized by Field.

Funding

Grant requests have typically in the range of $15,000 to $50,000.

What We Fund

VNA Foundation awards grants to support nonprofit organizations that provide home- and community-based health services to medically underserved populations in Cook County.

We will consider funding program, operating, and capital grants, including indirect costs and salaries that support core staff. Generally, only grant requests of $40,000 or more will be considered, unless smaller grants are required due to organization size or other identifiable factors.

Within all funding areas, VNA prioritizes organizations that:

• serve uninsured populations and/or Medicaid recipients;
• demonstrate culturally competent services; and
• have staff that reflect the population served.

VNA grants generally fit within one or more of the categories listed below.

Access To Healthcare And Preventive Health

• Programs that promote access to care through community-based health care
• Preventive education and outreach that includes linkages to health services
• Health services that integrate healthy food access 
• Health + housing services that focus on health improvement and housing stability
• Timely health policy education and advancement
• Programs that improve chronic diseases as part of a broader care plan (not specific diseases)

• Individuals experiencing homelessness
• Families or communities living below the poverty threshold

Mental Health And Support Services

Mental Health And Support Services

• Efforts focused on early intervention and treatment
• Programs implementing trauma-informed care
• Support of the health and well-being of survivors of violence
• Initiatives that seek to end cycles of interpersonal or family violence
• Catalytic opportunities to improve systems and services

• Survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other acts of gender-based violence
• Children and youth
• Communities with behavioral health workforce shortages
• Individuals experiencing homelessness

Maternal And Reproductive Health

• Health and wellness services for birthing individuals and their families
• Health services that provide birthing individuals choices on reproductive health
• Education and outreach to address health disparities in maternal and reproductive health
• Workforce training and development initiatives
• Collaborative and catalytic efforts that work towards timely systems change

• Black women and birthing people, a population with high maternal mortality and morbidity rates
• BIPOC-led community-based organizations
• Organizations that provide a full range of reproductive options, including abortion care
• Organizations with a smaller budget size

Technical Assistance And Organizational Resiliency

• Initiatives to enhance the organization’s capacity to deliver on its mission; for example, staff development, technology upgrades, and sustainability efforts
• Initiatives that focus on staff retention
• Innovative approaches to improving health outcomes through systems coordination and collaboration

Generally available only for agencies that have received at least one year of VNA funding. Please have a conversation with VNA staff before submitting a request for this funding area.

Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

The Impact Fund awards recoverable grants to legal services nonprofits, private attorneys, and small law firms who seek to confront economic, environmental, racial, and social injustice. Since our founding in 1992, the Impact Fund has made more than 800 recoverable grants totaling more than $10 million for impact litigation. We award grants four times per year, most within the range of US$10,000 to US$50,000.

Social Justice

The Impact Fund provides grants and legal support to assist in human and civil rights cases. We have helped to change dozens of laws and win cases to improve the rights of thousands. The cases we are funding allege that:

• In Texas and North Carolina, incarcerated people with mental health disabilities are forced to remain in jail despite being found not guilty and unable to proceed with a criminal trial.
• In Orange County, California there are currently 13 gang injunctions under effect, which disproportionately affect young men of color.
• In Chicago, Illinois, the city’s homeless shelter program is inaccessible to people with disabilities.
• In Springfield, Oregon, the city and its police department used excessive force against Black Lives Matter protesters.
• In West Virginia, the state fails to protect children in foster care from abuse and neglect. 
• In Montana, voter suppression laws disadvantage young adults and give priority to gun owners.
• In Gary, Indiana, a gun manufacturer negligently marketed and distributed its guns, leading to an epidemic of gun violence in the city. 
• In Vancouver, British Columbia, the police perpetuate systemic discrimination against Indigenous people through bureaucratic measures.

Environmental Justice

The Impact Fund provides grants to support local litigation for environmental justice. These grants are for cases aiming to help people or communities who are affected by environmental harm or who lack access to basic environmental needs, such as clean water, clean air, adequate waste treatment, and green spaces. The cases we are funding allege that:

• In Centreville, Illinois, the city’s failure to maintain its sewer system has caused raw sewage to flood peoples’ homes, endangering the property and health of a predominantly Black community.
• In Fresno County, California, the California Department of Transportation approved a highway expansion project that would increase air pollution and traffic in one of the state’s most environmentally burdened communities.
• In downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the proposed expansion of a highway would divide the region's Black, Asian, and Latine neighborhoods and cause pollution and ill health.
• In North Dakota, the five-month closure of a highway in response to the Dakota Access Pipeline protests disproportionately affected the livelihoods and health of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe members.
• In Ontario, Canada, mercury contamination of the English-Wabigoon river system causes catastrophic environmental and health impacts for the Grassy Narrows First Nation.
• In Sacramento, California, the county government and Sacramento Area Sewer District violated the Clean Water Act by discharging raw sewage into nearby rivers.
• In the Eastern Coachella Valley in California, 1,900 residents of the Oasis Mobile Home Park suffer from arsenic-laced drinking water, wastewater contamination, and overcharging for utilities.

Economic Justice

The Impact Fund provides financial and other forms of support to cases fighting for economic justice. From workers' rights to consumer protection for vulnerable populations, impact litigation is a powerful tool to hold corporationss and the government accountable. The cases we are funding allege that:

• In Brooklyn, New York, a prominent mortgage lender engaged in predatory practices, leaving homeowners of color at risk of losing their homes. 
• In Washington, live-in caregivers are unconstitutionally excluded from the state’s wage-and-hour protections.
• In Ravalli County, Montana, the county has created a “modern-day debtors’ prison” by incarcerating people unable to afford pre-trial fees. 
• In San Diego, California, vehicle ordinances target unhoused vehicle owners even when no adequate housing alternative exists.
• In New York, a federal immigration detention facility is violating minimum wage and forced labor laws by forcing detainees to work for just a dollar a day. 
• In Minneapolis, Minnesota, the city and county destroy the property of unhoused individuals and conduct forced evictions from public spaces. 
• In Miami, Florida, insurance companies discriminate against a nonprofit community development corporation renting to tenants with Section 8 rental subsidies.

Mission

The William G. McGowan Charitable Fund brings our vision to life through grant-making efforts in three program areas: Education, Human Services, and Healthcare initiatives. We give priority to programs that have demonstrated success, have measurable outcomes and plans for sustainability, and aim to end cycles of poverty and suffering.

Resolute in our belief in the power of partnerships or collaborative efforts to maximize impact, we embrace opportunities to work with other funders in our program areas. We look for funding opportunities that share our philosophy and explore the possibility of joint projects with other nonprofit organizations.

Vision

To impact lives today, create sustainable change, and empower future generations to achieve their greatest potential.

Funding Focus

The Fund puts an emphasis on the building blocks that adults and children need to flourish. While many community efforts are important and enriching—including the arts, animal welfare, and civic life—the programs that are most likely to receive our support hone to our mission and vision of addressing the roots of poverty. In our community grantmaking, we look toward programs that address immediate needs and those that reach for long-term impact in the lives of vulnerable families and individuals.

Education Initiatives

Education makes all the difference. It is the most powerful point of departure for children struggling with poverty, community disruption, family stress, or failure. It’s the prerequisite for most long-lived careers that provide sustainable wages.

Through our grant-making in five geographic regions, the McGowan Fund focuses on innovative programs that show measurable improvement in addressing achievement gaps, improving teaching and learning, and reducing disparities among students.

Areas of support in this initiative include:

• Out-of-school Programs
• Charter, faith-based, and alternative schools
• Scholarships for high potential students in private education.

Human Services Initiatives

The cycles of poverty and homelessness can seem intractable. Homelessness decreases access to food, health, and work and this limited availability in turn hinders access to long-term housing. Recognizing the complexity and dependencies of the problem, the Fund focuses on projects that address basic human needs and stabilize individuals and families.

Areas of support in this initiative include:  

• Stabilized Housing
• Food/Clothing Security
• Adult Education (e.g. ESL, Financial Literacy, GED Attainment)
• Homelessness Remediation/Prevention

Healthcare Initiatives

Lack of healthcare can be a barrier to work, education, and a family’s mobility out of poverty. We fund programs that seek to remove this barrier by providing quality care to those who may not have other care options.

Areas of support in this initiative include:

• Primary Care
• Dental/Vision
• Mental Health Services
• Pharmacy

The Venable Foundation envisions that its philanthropic investments provide essential resources to nonprofit organizations in communities across the country. Guided by the belief that everyone has the right to equitable employment opportunities, healthcare, housing, food, and a vibrant cultural community, Venable grantees ensure that economically disadvantaged people are given the tools they need to thrive.

The average size of a Venable Foundation grant is approximately $10,000. First-time awardees are usually on the smaller end of the spectrum. It is up to the organization to determine what it feels is an appropriate request.

Funding Priorities

Grant support is provided to assist with general operations and projects. Currently, the Venable Foundation’s funding priorities include:

• Human Services
• Legal Services
• Education
• Workforce Development
• Youth Impact
• Health
• Environment
• Arts and Culture

You can learn more about each of these funding priorities below:

Human Services – The Foundation has a strong track record of supporting a breadth of essential human services, including programs that impact people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity, incarcerated and returning citizens, LGBTQ+ and immigrant communities, and those affected by domestic violence and housing insecurity.

Legal Services – We support the delivery of free or affordable legal services in our communities. Pro bono consulting and representation focus on a variety of issues, including domestic violence, housing, immigration, public benefits, and discrimination, among other areas. Legal service nonprofits providing “know your rights” training and other activities are also supported. The Foundation also supports training for youth and adults to ensure diversity and access to careers in the legal profession.

Education – The Foundation supports a wide array of early childhood, in-school, and out-of-school time initiatives that provide in-depth opportunities for learning and engagement to position children for success and level the playing field for economically disadvantaged youth.

Workforce Development – We believe that every individual deserves the opportunity to pursue gainful employment. Thus, we support organizations with the goal of developing the workforce of today and tomorrow. Successful programs recruit and train individuals and place them in relevant jobs so that they can earn a sustainable living wage for themselves and their families. Skill development is focused on low-income, underemployed, and unemployed community members, and on preparing youth for careers after their schooling is complete.

Youth Impact – The Foundation invests in services that impact children in each of our communities. These initiatives ensure economically disadvantaged youth are healthy and safe and have opportunities to thrive.

Health – The Foundation is committed to improving wellness and increasing access to care for economically disadvantaged individuals in the region. Successful organizations and programs work to eliminate barriers to healthcare for all ages and provide accessible and no-stigma testing for a variety of diseases. We support pediatric to geriatric services that address a variety of health concerns.

Environment – We support organizations involved in the preservation of our natural resources and those that are addressing natural or man-made disasters in our target regions. Programs educate communities and work for change on a variety of environmental issues, from wildfires to pollution.

Arts and Culture – The Foundation supports initiatives in the arts that promote deeper public engagement and build up the creative economy, with an emphasis on low-income and underserved communities.

Who We Are

Founded in 2007, the Wisdom Family Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization built on the belief that empowering children transforms families, communities, and the world.

Every day, children in our communities face extraordinary challenges. Through our Greater Chicago, Northern Wisconsin, Twin Cities and International Chapters, the Wisdom Family Foundation provides children around the world with the resources and encouragement they need to persevere through difficulty, whether that’s access to food, academic scholarships, medical and housing assistance, or hope during the holidays. 

We are dedicated to building a spirit of generosity within the communities we serve and motivating others to extend a giving heart. We often join forces with strategic partners to help us target our investment.

We take special care with each giving opportunity to understand how we can best be a champion for the recipient and serve their needs.

As a family-run nonprofit organization, we are personally and wholeheartedly involved in every initiative we support. And we have our sights set on reaching even more children, families, and communities going forward.

The Wisdom Family Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Wisdom Collective. The Wisdom Collective pursues projects that take you out of the norm and challenge you to initiative positive change in your community. Our mission is to inspire leaders and the next generation by investing in community, building connections, and promoting healthy ways of living.

Operating and capital support to strengthen communities.

For more than a decade, the Wisdom Family Foundation has supported organizations who share our mission of empowering children, families and communities to be their best. In recent years, the Wisdom Family Foundation has made donations and awarded operating grants for work in:

• Youth enrichment
• Food security
• Socioeconomic development
• Medical assistance
• Environmental relief
• Racial equity & social justice

Funding

Wisdom Family Foundation typically awards operating grants between $1,000-5,000. The board of directors considers larger capital grants toward projects that will strengthen communities on a case-by-case basis.

Our Mission and Values

Impact Grants Chicago connects, engages and inspires women to improve our community by collectively funding $100,000 grants to Chicago nonprofits that are dedicated to addressing the challenges facing our city.

We value...

• connecting women for collective impact
• offering our members an efficient and trusted philanthropic process
• the flexibility of engagement in our process
• every woman having an equal voice in choosing our grantees
• the integrity, commitment and collective knowledge of our members
• providing our members the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of Chicago nonprofits
• our role in raising the profiles of Chicago nonprofits
• a membership that is open to anyone who identifies as a woman
• being an anti-racist organization that promotes a diversity of perspectives in our membership and in our support of the nonprofit community

Our Grant

Impact Grants Chicago recognizes the valuable work of the many local nonprofit organizations addressing the critical needs and social issues facing Chicago. To support this work, Impact Grants Chicago annually awards $100,000 grants to Chicago nonprofits, providing them the funds to support high-impact projects and programs. We fund new programs or projects as well as the expansion or continuation of successful programs or projects.

The number of $100,000 grants to be awarded is announced in January of each year based on Impact Grant Chicago’s membership numbers. Each member joins with a $1,000 donation and 100% of these funds are pooled to create $100,000 grants. For every 100 members, one Impact Grant is awarded. Residual funds are awarded as Merit Grants to the remaining finalists for general operating support.

Focus Areas

Impact Grants Chicago asks organizations to indicate a primary Focus Area. You will be asked in the application to select the focus area that best describes your services. Your choice of focus area does not influence the review of your LOI.

• Culture
  • Projects or programs that develop, cultivate or enhance the cultural and artistic climate; or explore and educate others about the arts, cultural heritage and diversity in Chicago.
• Education
  • Projects or programs that advance or improve learning opportunities for children and/or adults, including job training, in Chicago.
• Family
  • Projects or programs that strengthen and enhance the lives of children and families in Chicago.
• Health
  • Projects or programs that improve the physical and/or mental well-being of people living in Chicago.
• Sustainability
  • Projects or programs that promote a positive and sustainable relationship between humans and their environment or help neighborhoods thrive by promoting healthy food systems through community gardening, urban agriculture or other activities in Chicago.

Mission

To measurably improve the health of those who live and work in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Vision

The Foundation, together with the community, will transform the region into the healthiest in the country.

CMF Responsive Grants

Community Memorial Foundation believes our grantee organizations are our partners in community transformation. Through our Responsive Grants Program, we award funding to 501 (c)(3) nonprofits that deliver services throughout our 27 communities and facilitate our shared vision of a healthier community.

Responsive grants:

• are awarded bi-annually, with grant cycles in the spring and fall
• are guided by the Foundation’s mission and vision
• meet the Foundation’s current funding priorities
• meet the Foundation’s policies and guidelines
• serve the 27 communities within the Foundation’s geographic focus 
• are allocated for program services as well as general operating support

Funding Priorities

Community Memorial Foundation’s grantmaking is governed by our designated funding priorities. Together, these priorities, and the programs which are funded to support them, advance the Foundation’s vision of transforming the Western Suburbs into the healthiest region in the country.

Community Memorial Foundation will place priority on programs that meet the following strategies. Grant applications that address increased coordination and integration of health and human services and align with Regional Health and Human Services Agenda values will receive higher consideration.

• Increase health equity by reducing the health, social and economic barriers to optimal well-being and quality of life, specifically race, gender identification, language, culture, (dis)ability, religion, national origin, age and ability to pay.
• Ensure high-quality access to timely, affordable, physical, mental and behavioral, and/or oral healthcare services.
• Provide services that address mental and behavioral health, and promote programs that reduce stigma for youth and adults.
• Address the effect of poverty on health by providing for basic needs such as access to nutritious food, homelessness prevention, and promotion of self-sufficiency.
• Ensure that residents are safe from interpersonal violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, elder abuse and child abuse.
• Enhance and expand knowledge of, and connection to, existing local resources, yielding more access to coordinated care.
• Nurture the development of health and human service leaders in the region that are service-oriented, reflect the diversity of CMF communities, and advance the Regional Health and Human Services Agenda.

About

Through its grantmaking and other policy-focused efforts, the Foundation seeks to:

• Racial Equity: Incorporate the voices of, and achieve more equitable outcomes for, Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) communities in the Great Lakes region.
• Economic Mobility: Improve the ability of individuals in the Great Lakes region to move up the economic ladder within a lifetime or from one generation to the next.
• Next Generation: Incorporate the voices of, and improve outcomes for, the next generation of Great Lakes residents, defined as young people born after 2000.

Education & Economic Mobility Grants

The mission of the Education & Economic Mobility Program is to close income and race disparities in college and career success through equitable access to high-quality education. We invest in local, state and federal policies that aim to ensure historically underserved young people 1) have effective educators; 2) graduate high school with academic and career momentum; and 3) attain affordable college credentials with economic value. In the short term, we will invest in research, policy development, and advocacy to help young people recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effective Educators

Evidence is clear that teachers and principals are the main in-school driver of student success. Yet, young people of color and those from underserved communities often have inexperienced, unqualified, or ineffective educators. To ensure historically marginalized students have top-notch and diverse educators, the Foundation invests in research, policy development, advocacy, and technical assistance to: 1) use data to better align educator supply and demand; 2) diversify the educator pipeline; 3) build strong pathways from high school into teaching; and 4) spread innovative school staffing models that attract educators, boost retention, and improve student outcomes. Our investments focus on Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and national efforts.

College and Career Readiness

There is overwhelming evidence that a college degree significantly improves life outcomes. Yet not enough high school students—especially young people of color and those from underserved communities—are prepared to succeed in post-secondary. To help students get on the right path, the Foundation supports federal and state policies to: 1) align K-12, higher education, and workforce systems; 2) increase access and success in rigorous courses; and 3) increase access to high-quality work-based learning activities connected to careers with family-sustaining wages.

Post-Secondary Success

A post-secondary degree remains the surest path to social and economic mobility. Yet colleges fail to enroll and graduate students of color and students from low-income households at the same rate as White and wealthier students. This contributes to racial and socioeconomic disparities in education and career outcomes. To address these disparities, the Joyce Foundation supports federal and state policies that: 1) scale proven student support models to improve community college outcomes; 2) preserve access for students of color and rural students to affordable, high- quality public college options and labor markets that require college degrees; 3) seek racial and family income representativeness at selective public universities; and 4) narrow gaps in post-graduate financial outcomes for students of color and low-income students.

Doing our part to make a difference in the world

The idea of community goes far beyond the cities and neighborhoods where Avnet operates. We think of a community as any group of people who share a desire to make a positive difference, wherever and whenever they can. Through Avnet Cares, our company’s philanthropic and volunteer program, our employees go beyond achieving business and financial goals. They make a positive impact around the world.

Our focus areas include STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), Environment and Communities in Crisis.

Avnet Care: Giving Focus

STEM

Support for youth programs that lead to career paths in science, technology, engineering and math with a preference for programs that serve traditionally under-resourced communities.

Environment

Support for programs that provide innovative pathways to sustainability, with a preference for programs that incorporate technology.

Communities in Crisis

Support for programs that provide direct assistance to the community for basic needs such as food, shelter and clothing.

The Home Depot Foundation

The Home Depot Foundation works to improve the homes and lives of U.S. veterans, train skilled tradespeople to fill the labor gap and support communities impacted by natural disasters. Since 2011, the Foundation has invested more than $550 million in veteran causes and improved more than 65,000 veteran homes and facilities. The Foundation has pledged to invest $750M in veteran causes by 2030 and $50 million in training the next generation of skilled tradespeople through the Path to Pro program.

The Foundation's Veteran Housing Grants Program awards grants to nonprofit organizations for the new construction or rehabilitation of permanent supportive housing for veterans. Awards typically range from $100,000 to $500,000.

Mission

The A. Montgomery Ward Foundation was established by his daughter, Marjorie Montgomery Ward Baker, in 1959 to support and strengthen charitable institutions that provide quality educational and cultural programming for the current and future residents of Chicago, Illinois, and its surrounding communities.

Program Type:

• Arts, Culture, & Humanities; Education

The majority of grants from the Montgomery Ward Foundation are 1 year in duration.

 2025 CityArts Program Overview

The City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) supports artists and cultural organizations, invests in the creative economy, and expands access and participation in the arts throughout Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. Chicago arts and culture nonprofits of all sizes and artistic disciplines can apply for CityArts general operating grants.

CityArts Grant Amounts

General Operating grant amounts for selected grantees will be determined as outlined below, based on the organization’s average Annual Revenue over the past three years.

• Average Annual Revenue of $10,000: Grant amount will be approximately equal to the organization’s average annual revenue.
• Average Annual Revenue of $10,000 - $100,000: Grant amount will be up to $10,000.
• Average Annual Revenue of $100,000 - $500,000: Grant amount will be up to 10% of the organization’s average annual revenue and no more than $25,000.
• Average Annual Revenue of $500,000+: Grant amount will be up to 5% of the organization’s average annual revenue and no more than $50,000.

Is your nonprofit working to create positive change in your local community? 

Presented by the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation in partnership with NBC and Telemundo stations in 11 markets, NBCUniversal Local Impact Grants Program is strengthening our communities by providing funding to local nonprofit organizations that are solving everyday problems. This year, our station will award $225,000 to exceptional nonprofit programs focused on local impact.

Grant Categories

Youth Education and Empowerment - In-school and out-of-school programs that equip youth with the tools they need to succeed, including STEM/ STEAM education and youth entrepreneurship.

Next Generation Storytellers - Programs that promote access and develop pathways for emerging talent, diverse voices, and underrepresented youth to explore careers in arts, news, sports and entertainment.

Community Engagement - Programs that enable individuals to engage and volunteer in their communities.

Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, NBCUniversal Local and Telemundo stations are committed to supporting a culture of inclusion whereby organizations encourage equitable access, opportunities, and resources for traditionally underrepresented communities.

Challenge Overview

Climate change is an omnipresent issue with the hottest recorded year, continuous extreme weather, and long-term impacts that will be determined by near-term choices. While driven by emissions from energy, industry, and agriculture in a concentrated set of economies, climate change disproportionately impacts the up to 3.6 billion people living in contexts that are highly vulnerable to impacts including extreme heat, flooding, and droughts. The climate crisis requires dramatic action, including rapid technology deployment alongside bold policies, financial commitments from governments, private capital, and philanthropy, and global market shifts.

Technology and innovation have an important role to play in contending with the effects of climate change. Technology exists to replace or mitigate all major areas of current emissions but often has minimal adoption due to high costs, a lack of engagement with communities, and the need for design at scale. Innovation can offer new business models, decreased costs, and approaches to scaling impact alongside or in place of new technologies that can help meet mitigation and adaptation goals at the speed of the crisis.

MIT Solve seeks exceptional solutions that leverage technology to address the causes and impacts of the climate crisis. While we are excited to select and support innovators across any climate area, we have a particular interest in solutions that: 

• Adapt cities to more extreme weather, including through climate-smart buildings, incorporating climate risk in infrastructure planning, and restoring regional ecosystems.
• Enable a low-carbon and nutritious global food system, across large and small-scale producers plus supply chains that reduce food loss.
• Strengthen coastal and marine ecosystems and communities through the broader blue economy, including fisheries, clean energy, and monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV).

Special Call: Black & Brown Innovators in the US Program

Black and Latine communities in the US are structurally the most vulnerable to climate-fueled hazards and the least likely to have access to healthy and affordable food. As part of Solve’s ongoing work on US racial equity, we encourage those working to address racial disparities in climate action across US communities to apply for the Challenge and receive additional support through our Black & Brown Innovators in the US Program.

Prizes

MIT Solve - Solver Award

All Solver teams selected for Solve’s Global Challenges and the Indigenous Communities Fellowship will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Solve.

The Seeding The Future Food Systems Prize

The Seeding the Future Food Systems Prize is open to high impact innovations focusing on transforming food systems to be more sustainable, and to enable equitable access to safe and nutritious food that is affordable and trusted. Solutions benefitting underserved communities, countries or regions are encouraged to apply. Up to $150,000 will be awarded to two or more high-impact solutions selected for any of Solve’s 2025 Global Challenges. This prize is supported by the Seeding The Future Foundation, a private nonprofit organization that seeds and supports innovative solutions to help improve the global food system.

The E Ink Innovation Prize

The E Ink Innovation Prize is open to solutions that currently utilize or propose to utilize ePaper materials, technology, or displays to address problems of global importance in any of Solve’s areas of impact, including topics such as architecture, education, or intercultural understanding. The prize is funded by E Ink, a corporation that advances healthy solutions and a sustainable future using ultra-low power, daylight readable displays. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to up to four Solver teams selected for any of the 2025 Global Challenges or Solve’s existing portfolio of alumni teams. E Ink may also opt to provide materials and technical support to its prize recipients.

The AI for Humanity Prize

The AI for Humanity Prize is open to solutions leveraging data science, artificial intelligence, and/or machine learning to benefit humanity. The prize is made possible by The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a philanthropy committed to advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all. Up to $150,000 will be awarded across several Solver teams from any of the 2025 Global Challenges.

The GM Prize

The GM Prize is open to solutions that help create smart, safe, and sustainable communities around the world. The Prize is funded by General Motors, which is working toward becoming the most inclusive company in the world and is dedicated to making STEM education more accessible and equitable. Up to $150,000 will be awarded across up to six Solver teams from the 2025 Global Learning Challenge, the 2025 Global Climate Challenge, and the 2025 Indigenous Communities Fellowship.

The Citizens Workforce Innovation Prize

The Citizens Workforce Innovation Prize seeks to accelerate the development of solutions that will prepare people for today’s opportunities and the workplace of the future, advance new ways of working, and drive economic impact within communities. Funded by Citizens, the prize furthers the company’s commitment to helping communities meet today’s demands while positioning themselves well for the future. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to up to four Solver teams across all 2025 Global Challenges or Solve's portfolio of alumni teams. Preference will be given to solutions that can be implemented to address workforce development challenges in Boston, MA and New York, NY that also have scaling potential to other geographies.

The Crescent Enterprises ‘AI for Social Innovation’ Prize

The Crescent Enterprises ‘AI for Social Innovation’ Prize supports groundbreaking solutions that leverage data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to tackle critical global social challenges. Sponsored by Crescent Enterprises - a diversified conglomerate spanning industries such as ports and logistics, power and engineering, food and beverage, life sciences and business aviation - the prize reflects the company’s dedication to innovation, sustainability, and meaningful global impact.

Up to $100,000 will be awarded to as many as four Solver teams addressing the 2025 Global Challenges or selected from Solve’s portfolio of alumni teams. This prize aims to recognise and accelerate the growth of transformative solutions, driving positive change for a better future.

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Ocean Innovation Prize

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Ocean Innovation Prize is open to solutions supporting innovation for coasts, oceans, and the broader blue economy. The prize is funded by Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which is committed to protecting and progressing planetary health. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to one Solver team.

The Community Innovation Prize

The Community Innovation Prize is open to innovative solutions for communities by communities. Up to $200,000, as well as custom workshops addressing innovator needs will be awarded to up to four Solver teams who are current or past Solvers across Solve's US Equity portfolio. Preference will be given to innovator teams based in or implementing/planning to implement in Chicago, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Houston, New York City, and/or Philadelphia in the areas of Health, Economic Prosperity, Climate, or Indigenous Communities.

Challenge Overview

Peace and stability are baseline conditions for economic prosperity and a thriving society, and both are at risk with escalating conflicts and economic shocks. Instability and conflict can severely erode economic prospects, reverse years of development gains, and exacerbate vulnerabilities. Poverty and lack of quality jobs contribute to conflict. With 114 million people forcibly displaced due to war, violence, and climate-related disasters, two billion workers worldwide in informal, precarious jobs, and disruptions from AI and other tech, the stakes are high.

Technology and innovation can be powerful tools to promote peace and prosperity. Social media has increased misinformation and polarization, but when well-designed, it also improved cohesion and civic participation and reduced the odds of violent conflict. Similarly, while technology can lead to more precarity, it can also facilitate more inclusive financial systems, new job opportunities, and more resilience. Ethically designing and implementing technology is a key component of building and maintaining more peaceful communities and inclusive economies. 

MIT Solve seeks exceptional solutions leveraging technology to increase peace and prosperity. Our focus centers on solutions that: 

• Promote and sustain peace by increasing community dialogue, civic participation, reconciliation, and justice efforts; strengthening cyber security, and monitoring or preventing violence, misinformation, and polarization.
• Foster financial and digital inclusion by supporting access to credit, digital identity tools, and insurance while securing privacy and personal data.
• Generate new economic opportunities and buffer against economic shocks for workers, including good job creation, workforce development, and inclusive and attainable asset ownership.

Special Call: Black & Brown Innovators in the US Program

Systemic inequities and institutional failures contribute to Black and Brown families in the US owning just 24 cents for every $1 of white family wealth. As part of Solve’s ongoing work on US racial equity, we encourage those from the US working to address these disparities to apply for the Challenge and receive additional support through our Black & Brown Innovators in the US Program.

Prizes

MIT Solve - Solver Award

All Solver teams selected for Solve’s Global Challenges and the Indigenous Communities Fellowship will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Solve.

The Seeding The Future Food Systems Prize

The Seeding the Future Food Systems Prize is open to high impact innovations focusing on transforming food systems to be more sustainable, and to enable equitable access to safe and nutritious food that is affordable and trusted. Solutions benefitting underserved communities, countries or regions are encouraged to apply. Up to $150,000 will be awarded to two or more high-impact solutions selected for any of Solve’s 2025 Global Challenges. This prize is supported by the Seeding The Future Foundation, a private nonprofit organization that seeds and supports innovative solutions to help improve the global food system.

The E Ink Innovation Prize

The E Ink Innovation Prize is open to solutions that currently utilize or propose to utilize ePaper materials, technology, or displays to address problems of global importance in any of Solve’s areas of impact, including topics such as architecture, education, or intercultural understanding. The prize is funded by E Ink, a corporation that advances healthy solutions and a sustainable future using ultra-low power, daylight readable displays. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to up to four Solver teams selected for any of the 2025 Global Challenges or Solve’s existing portfolio of alumni teams. E Ink may also opt to provide materials and technical support to its prize recipients.

The AI for Humanity Prize

The AI for Humanity Prize is open to solutions leveraging data science, artificial intelligence, and/or machine learning to benefit humanity. The prize is made possible by The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a philanthropy committed to advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all. Up to $150,000 will be awarded across several Solver teams from any of the 2025 Global Challenges.

The GM Prize

The GM Prize is open to solutions that help create smart, safe, and sustainable communities around the world. The Prize is funded by General Motors, which is working toward becoming the most inclusive company in the world and is dedicated to making STEM education more accessible and equitable. Up to $150,000 will be awarded across up to six Solver teams from the 2025 Global Learning Challenge, the 2025 Global Climate Challenge, and the 2025 Indigenous Communities Fellowship.

The Citizens Workforce Innovation Prize

The Citizens Workforce Innovation Prize seeks to accelerate the development of solutions that will prepare people for today’s opportunities and the workplace of the future, advance new ways of working, and drive economic impact within communities. Funded by Citizens, the prize furthers the company’s commitment to helping communities meet today’s demands while positioning themselves well for the future. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to up to four Solver teams across all 2025 Global Challenges or Solve's portfolio of alumni teams. Preference will be given to solutions that can be implemented to address workforce development challenges in Boston, MA and New York, NY that also have scaling potential to other geographies.

The Crescent Enterprises ‘AI for Social Innovation’ Prize

The Crescent Enterprises ‘AI for Social Innovation’ Prize supports groundbreaking solutions that leverage data science, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to tackle critical global social challenges. Sponsored by Crescent Enterprises - a diversified conglomerate spanning industries such as ports and logistics, power and engineering, food and beverage, life sciences and business aviation - the prize reflects the company’s dedication to innovation, sustainability, and meaningful global impact.

Up to $100,000 will be awarded to as many as four Solver teams addressing the 2025 Global Challenges or selected from Solve’s portfolio of alumni teams. This prize aims to recognise and accelerate the growth of transformative solutions, driving positive change for a better future.

Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Ocean Innovation Prize

The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Ocean Innovation Prize is open to solutions supporting innovation for coasts, oceans, and the broader blue economy. The prize is funded by Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, which is committed to protecting and progressing planetary health. Up to $100,000 will be awarded to one Solver team.

The Community Innovation Prize

The Community Innovation Prize is open to innovative solutions for communities by communities. Up to $200,000, as well as custom workshops addressing innovator needs will be awarded to up to four Solver teams who are current or past Solvers across Solve's US Equity portfolio. Preference will be given to innovator teams based in or implementing/planning to implement in Chicago, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Houston, New York City, and/or Philadelphia in the areas of Health, Economic Prosperity, Climate, or Indigenous Communities.

Funding Categories

Social Services

Services that provide safety nets and supports for under-resourced, low-income communities. This includes programs that assist homeless or almost homeless people with immediate needs and/or future success; programs that provide help for marginalized communities such as veterans or people exiting the prison system; shelter/housing; food/anti-hunger programs; and employment programs.

Health and Human Services

Support for programs that provide subsidized, low cost or free healthcare for the uninsured and under-insured of all ages; access to mental health; access to low or free-cost dental services; healthcare outreach programs; assistance for disabled individuals or other populations with specific challenges; and services for the elderly.

Environment

Our interests are primarily focused on conservation efforts to protect wildlife, the preservation of natural areas and public interest environmental law.

Education

Funding for exceptional early childhood, school age, high school, and college programs; after school programs; adult continuing education; and educational opportunities for adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. Our funding often goes toward scholarship programs so that low-income communities have access to the same high quality programs as their peers.

Art and Culture

Most grants are designated for arts/culture access for under-privilaged populations such as subsidized entry to museums or other cultural sites or events. 

About Us

Created in 1992, the Wellington Management Foundation donates money and volunteer time to more than 125 nonprofit community organizations that support youth in under-resourced communities in the North American and Asia-Pacific cities where we have offices. These organizations provide access to best-in-class educational programs and services, enhancing opportunities for future success.

In 2016, the Wellington Management UK Foundation was created to support organizations in both the UK and Europe. Wellington Management Foundation Grant.

The Wellington Management Foundation is an independent corporate foundation funded by Wellington, as well as current and former employees, who give generously to support a portfolio of nonprofit educational organizations. The Foundation is run by an advisory board which includes a chair and vice chair. All members of the advisory board are current or former Wellington employees. In addition, the Foundation relies on employee volunteers each year to conduct due diligence on grant applications and build long-term relationships with the community organizations funded.

Our Belief

We believe education is a critical lever in creating opportunities for equitable outcomes, including social and economic mobility.

Our Mission

We support best-in-class programs and organizations in our communities that are improving education and educational opportunities for youth from traditionally underserved and historically marginalized communities.

Our Portfolio

We support organizations across the full educational life-cycle of a student, from early education to career readiness programs, independent and charter schools, district-wide school-based programs, and after-school and summer programs, as well as college access and persistence programs.

Annual Grant

Every year we award grants to growth orientated small to medium organizations working to close the opportunity and achievement gaps for youth in traditionally underserved communities in North America and Asia-Pacific cities where Wellington has offices.

Our US Foundation funds programs that provide youth from traditionally under-resourced communities with access to high-quality academic programs and educational opportunities. We believe a strong academic foundation can provide a clear and positive path for the lives of young people. Accordingly, the US Foundation primarily aims to select organizations and programs that support:

• Academic improvement:
  • Educational tutoring and mentoring
  • Study skills programs
  • Technology-based initiatives
  • Mental health support
• Educational transitions:
  • School readiness programs
  • High school access and success programs
  • College access and success programs
• Extended learning time:
  • Out-of-school-time programs
  • Schools that operate extended hours
  • Programs that operate within schools to enhance curricula
• Career readiness:
  • Career and technical training models for linked learning
  • Workforce development programs

The US-based Wellington Management Foundation gives annual grants to programs that improve the educational opportunities for youth in traditionally underserved and economically challenged communities in eastern Massachusetts, the greater Philadelphia area, Chicago, the San Francisco Bay area, Toronto, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Sydney. The Grant Recommendation Committee (GRC), which engages employee volunteers to conduct a review of each new applicant and long-term grantee we fund, begins each year in September. Grants are made each December.

The Toy Industry's Toy Donation Program

We believe access to play provides comfort, joy, and extraordinary physical, emotional, and educational benefits to children when they need it most. Toy Chest is the only industry-wide giving initiative that distributes companies’ toy donations to children when they need it most. Since 2003, Toy Chest has comforted more than 35 million children with the power of play. Part of The Toy Association™, Toy Chest advances members’ corporate social responsibility efforts, supports inventory management, and assists in tradeshow moveout. Toy Chest is an opportunity to unite the industry’s donations to create big impact on children around the world.

Apply for Toys

We distribute toy donations to vetted nonprofit organizations with support of a logistics partner that operates facilities in New England, Greater New York, Pittsburgh, Appalachia, Greater Chicago, North Texas, and Pacific Northwest. Member organizations can pick up toys quarterly from the closest facility to distribute to the children served.

LISC and Foot Locker, Inc., through the Foot Locker Foundation, are launching a third round of grants for the Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program, a multi-city initiative to support nonprofit community organizations that empower youth in underserved communities. The program aims to bridge gaps driven by racial inequity and promote youth empowerment and community wellness—all while supporting community-based organizations led by people of color. 

What we’re offering 

The Foot Locker Foundation Community Empowerment Program offers two types of grants: 

• Grants to support current youth programming, create new programming or extend existing programming. These grants will range from $25,000 to $75,000 over one year. 
• Grants to support capital improvement projects that enhance the impact of youth programming. These grants will range from $25,000 to $100,000 over one year. 

Polk Bros. Foundation Grants

Polk Bros. Foundation’s primary focus is support for efforts that address poverty’s complex roots and devastating effects, and which benefit populations of need in disinvested Chicago communities. Very few awards are made to organizations located outside the city of Chicago.Grants are made for both new and ongoing initiatives in six program categories: strong communities, strong families, education, health, arts access and learning, and enhanced capacity. In all areas, proposals should address increased access to services, systems-level change and improvement in the quality of life for area residents.

The Foundation also has a small grants program that makes grants of up to $25,000 to organizations with limited funding histories and annual expenses of $75,000 - $500,000. The application process for small grants is the same as for the larger board grants.

What We Fund

By working together across neighborhoods and issues and sectors, Chicagoans are helping make our city a place where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Championing these efforts is our focus.

Strong Communities

To strengthen Chicago and its neighborhoods, we support efforts focused on workforce development, housing, community and economic development, legal services, and safe communities.

Strong Families

To strengthen families and their support networks across Chicago, we invest in efforts that promote healthy relationships and youth development and offer equitable access to holistic services.

Education

To ensure all Chicago public school students are prepared for success in college, in their careers, and in life, we invest in school improvement and student academic success.

Health

To improve the health outcomes of Chicagoans, especially those affected by poverty, we support efforts that expand access to school-based and community-based preventive and primary health care.

Arts Access and Learning

To increase Chicago public school students' access to the learning opportunities that come from deep participation in the arts, we support school-based arts education programs and community-based arts instruction for youth.

Enhanced Capacity

To help our grantees — and the systems in which they operate — thrive, we support capacity building at the organization level and at the sector level.

Strategic Collaborations

To achieve greater impact, we often join forces with our colleagues in philanthropy, nonprofits and the public and private sectors.

Process 

The Foundation also has a small grants program that makes grants of up to $25,000 to organizations with limited funding histories and annual expenses of between $75,000 and $500,000. Organizations can generally receive up to five consecutive grants through the small grants program.

Deadlines for organizations with budgets of $500K: 

For organizations with budgets of $500K and under, please refer to this timeline for our Small Grants Board Meetings instead.

• Phase One - Jan. 6 & July 1
• Phase Two- Feb. 1 & Aug. 1