How often can my organization apply?

Organizations will only be considered once per calendar year.

Does the foundation give general operating or program-specific support?

The Foundation will consider proposals for both general-operating and program-specific funding. For general operating support, the Trustees review organizations based on the overall mission, activities, and effectiveness of the agency; for program-specific support, they consider programs that best fit the specific funding goals in each region.

How much should we ask for?

Most of our grants range in size from $10,000 to $40,000 and take into consideration the size of organization’s budget. The Foundation’s grant should not represent a substantial amount of an organization’s budget – generally less than 10%. Please see our list of recent grants for more information.

Does the Foundation make multi-year grants?

Generally, no; however, previously funded organizations looking for multi-year support, should consult staff for additional information.

Will there be a site visit?

If your organization is selected to submit a full proposal, staff may contact you to set up a site visit. Staff and Foundation committee members will conduct in-person site visits with as many organizations as time and travel schedules permit; however, not all organizations will be visited every year. Where an in-person site visit is not possible, staff will conduct proposal review via telephone.

Will staff visit my program to determine if we should submit a Letter of Inquiry?

Given time constraints, staff prioritizes site visits for organizations that have already applied and have been invited to submit full proposals. If you have questions about eligibility, please contact staff.

If we have received funding in the past, do we have to submit a LOI and full proposal?

YES. A second request (and all subsequent requests) should reflect the accomplishments of the prior year, as well as meet current Foundation guidelines. Unless a grant is specified as “multi-year,” it is not automatically renewable without undergoing a thorough review.

If my organization received a grant this year, will Foundation staff contact me to reapply?

No. The Foundation grant cycles and Letter of Inquiry submission periods remain relatively consistent each year and are regularly updated on our website. If you intend to re-apply for a grant, please note the Letter of Inquiry deadline date for each grant cycle.

Does the Foundation have a roll-off policy?

Currently, the Foundation does not specify the number of years it will support an organization. We continue to strive to find a balance between new funding opportunities and maintaining and strengthening relationships with current grantees.

If my organization was declined in the past, should I reapply?

We recommend speaking with Foundation staff prior to submitting a new Letter of Inquiry.

Can I submit a Letter of Inquiry at any time?

No. The submission periods for each cycle are listed on the Deadlines (link) page. The Foundation will only accept Letters of Inquiry submitted during these periods.

If we missed the Letter of Inquiry submission deadline, will the Foundation accept late submissions?

Generally, the answer is no. Given the volume of requests and the Foundation’s limited budget, we cannot accept late Letter of Inquiry submissions. If you are previous grantee of the Foundation and missed the deadline due to unforeseen circumstances, please contact staff.

If my organization type is on your Exclusions list, but also offers a distinct program within your areas of interest, should I apply?

This is a difficult question, but the short answer is no. With the high volume of requests we receive, we struggle to adequately fund the programs that fit squarely within our program areas. Please do not invest your time on a proposal if your organization type is on the exclusions list.

Does my organization need to be located in the city of Chicago to be eligible for a grant under the Foundation’s Chicago Education guidelines?

Generally, yes; we will only fund organizations located in the city of Chicago. If your organization is located outside the Chicago city limits, but provides substantial programming to Chicago youth, please contact staff to discuss eligibility.

If my organization does not have its own 501(c)3 status and operates under a fiscal sponsor, are we still eligible to apply?

In some cases, yes. Please contact staff for additional information.