Updated Oct 28, 2026
Private foundations based in Illinois
2,243 grantmaking foundations headquartered in Illinois, holding $51B in assets. Ranked by grants paid in their latest 990-PF; 23 on this page say they accept applications. For foundations ranked by where their grants went, see local funders.
| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard G Buffett Foundationsince 1999 | Decatur, IL | $699M1 grants · 2025 | $699M | Preselected only | $718M |
| John D & Catherine T Macarthur Foundationsince 1971 | Chicago, IL | $356M1,086 grants · 2024 | $160K | Preselected only | $8.7B |
| Pritzker Traubert Foundationsince 2000 | Chicago, IL | $120M1 grants · 2024 | $120M | Preselected only | $297M |
| Arie and Ida Crown Memorialsince 1962 | Chicago, IL | $115M897 grants · 2024 | $55K | Yes | $2.4B |
| Builders Initiativesince 2017 | Chicago, IL | $97M392 grants · 2024 | $150K | Preselected only | $1.7B |
| Dunard Fund Ltdsince 1993 | Northbrook, IL | $65M24 grants · 2024 | $147K | Preselected only | $232M |
| Zell Family Foundationsince 1987 | Chicago, IL | $63M55 grants · 2024 | $153K | Preselected only | $120M |
| Paul M Angell Family Foundationsince 2011 | Chicago, IL | $57M1 grants · 2024 | $57M | Yes | $903M |
| Caterpillar Foundationsince 1953 | Peoria, IL | $56M1 grants · 2025 | $56M | Yes | $266M |
| Pritzker Family Foundationsince 2002 | Chicago, IL | $54M288 grants · 2024 | $75K | Preselected only | $281M |
| Joyce Foundationsince 1949 | Chicago, IL | $52M470 grants · 2024 | $80K | Yes | $1.2B |
| Abbvie Foundationsince 2013 | North Chicago, IL | $47M65 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $266M |
| Steans Family Foundationsince 1987 | Chicago, IL | $41M2 grants · 2024 | $21M | Preselected only | $294M |
| John Deere Foundationsince 1949 | Moline, IL | $37M5 grants · 2024 | $333K | Preselected only | $212M |
| Circle of Service Foundationsince 1994 | Chicago, IL | $37M637 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $592M |
| J S Frank Foundationsince 1974 | Deerfield, IL | $35M88 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $118M |
| St George Corporationsince 2021 | Burr Ridge, IL | $34M5 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Preselected only | $808M |
| Negaunee Foundation Ltdsince 1988 | Northbrook, IL | $34M114 grants · 2024 | $60K | Preselected only | $616M |
| The John and Kathleen Schreiber Foundationsince 2005 | Lake Forest, IL | $32M60 grants · 2024 | $263K | Preselected only | $185M |
| Pritzker Foundationsince 1948 | Chicago, IL | $32M1 grants · 2024 | $32M | Preselected only | $478M |
| 1111 Foundationsince 2013 | Highland Park, IL | $28M54 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $540M |
| Spencer Foundationsince 1993 | Chicago, IL | $24M214 grants · 2024 | $75K | Yes | $665M |
| The Irving Harris Foundationsince 1947 | Chicago, IL | $22M337 grants · 2024 | $25K | Preselected only | $143M |
| Grainger Foundation Incsince 1968 | Lake Forest, IL | $22M1 grants · 2025 | $22M | Preselected only | $172M |
| The Bobolink Foundationsince 1986 | Chicago, IL | $20M44 grants · 2024 | $30K | Preselected only | $263M |
| Polk Bros Foundation Incsince 1959 | Chicago, IL | $19M568 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $334M |
| The Richard H Driehaus Foundationsince 1985 | Chicago, IL | $17M1 grants · 2024 | $17M | Preselected only | $387M |
| Klaff Family Foundationsince 2005 | Chicago, IL | $16M66 grants · 2024 | $15K | Preselected only | $223M |
| Caerus Foundation Incsince 2003 | Northbrook, IL | $15M134 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $252M |
| David F and Margaret T Grohne Family Foundationsince 1996 | Western Sprgs, IL | $14M42 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $162M |
| Clara Abbott Foundationsince 1999 | Abbott Park, IL | $13M2 grants · 2024 | $6.3M | Yes | $224M |
| Michael Reese Health Trustsince 2024 | Chicago, IL | $12M162 grants · 2021 | $50K | Yes | $163M |
| The Walsh Foundationsince 1995 | Chicago, IL | $12M68 grants · 2024 | $30K | Preselected only | $186M |
| Hunter Family Foundationsince 2018 | Chicago, IL | $11M139 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $420M |
| Vivo Foundationsince 2021 | Libertyville, IL | $11M130 grants · 2024 | $43K | Preselected only | $183M |
| Booth Ferris Foundationsince 1965 | Chicago, IL | $10M93 grants · 2024 | $100K | Yes | $203M |
| White Pines Foundationsince 2013 | Champaign, IL | $10M24 grants · 2024 | $175K | Preselected only | $215M |
| Lloyd a Fry Foundationsince 1963 | Chicago, IL | $9.3M394 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $208M |
| Coleman Foundation Incsince 1979 | Chicago, IL | $9.1M185 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $182M |
| Westlake Health Foundationsince 1981 | Oakbrook Ter, IL | $9.0M54 grants · 2025 | $60K | Preselected only | $153M |
| Dr Scholl Foundationsince 1948 | Northbrook, IL | $8.9M410 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $212M |
| James M Schoonmaker II Foundationsince 1992 | Chicago, IL | $8.6M31 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $163M |
| The Brinson Foundationsince 2007 | Chicago, IL | $8.5M138 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $193M |
| Anahata Foundationsince 2020 | Chicago, IL | $8.5M22 grants · 2024 | $250K | Preselected only | $126M |
| Cushing Family Foundationsince 2013 | Chicago, IL | $8.1M56 grants · 2025 | $50K | Preselected only | $164M |
| Edward Fein Charitable Tr P76693004since 2024 | Chicago, IL | $7.9M9 grants · 2025 | $400K | Preselected only | $188M |
| William G McGowan Charitable Fundsince 1993 | Chicago, IL | $7.8M298 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Yes | $229M |
| Frechette Family Foundationsince 1997 | Chicago, IL | $7.7M83 grants · 2024 | $40K | Preselected only | $165M |
| Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundationsince 1954 | Chicago, IL | $7.1M355 grants · 2024 | $10K | Yes | $194M |
| Helen Brach Foundationsince 1974 | Chicago, IL | $6.8M1 grants · 2025 | $6.8M | Yes | $129M |
| Frank E Payne and Seba B Payne Foundationsince 2022 | Chicago, IL | $6.6M48 grants · 2024 | $80K | Preselected only | $164M |
| Amara Illinois Nfpsince 1996 | Chicago, IL | $6.5M114 grants · 2024 | $25K | Yes | $181M |
| Illinois Childrens Healthcare Foundationsince 2003 | Oak Brook, IL | $6.1M42 grants · 2024 | $125K | Yes | $151M |
| Retirement Research Foundationsince 1976 | Chicago, IL | $5.3M257 grants · 2024 | $16K | Yes | $147M |
| The Duchossois Family Foundationsince 1985 | Chicago, IL | $5.2M97 grants · 2024 | $13K | Preselected only | $146M |
| W Clement & Jessie V Stone Foundationsince 1965 | Chicago, IL | $5.2M97 grants · 2024 | $50K | Yes | $123M |
| The Poetry Foundationsince 1946 | Chicago, IL | $4.2M179 grants · 2024 | $20K | Yes | $313M |
| Richard L Duchossois Memorial Foundationsince 2018 | Chicago, IL | $675K7 grants · 2024 | $100K | Preselected only | $161M |
| Walder Family Foundationsince 2015 | Skokie, IL | — | — | Not stated | $155M |
| Methodist Services Incsince 1983 | Urbana, IL | — | — | Preselected only | $129M |
Sources: IRS Business Master File (assets), ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer and IRS 990-PF e-file (grants paid, application policy). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own Part XV checkbox.
Open grant programs in Illinois
All 2| Deadline | Grant | Funder | Award ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rollingno deadline | Illinois Arts Council Agency — Organizational GrantsStateIllinois Arts Council Agency | Illinois Arts Council Agency | Not listed |
| Rollingno deadline | Illinois Humanities — Humanities GrantsStateIllinois Humanities | Illinois Humanities | Not listed |
Common questions
How many private foundations are based in Illinois?
Our directory lists 2,243 private grantmaking foundations in Illinois with at least $1 million in assets, holding a combined $51B. The data comes from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File and Form 990-PF.
How do I get a grant from a private foundation?
Start with foundations that already fund organizations like yours nearby. Read the grantee list on each profile, check whether the foundation accepts applications (it says so on its 990-PF), and lead with a short letter of inquiry. Many family foundations fund only organizations they already know; an introduction through a shared grantee or board member works better than a cold proposal.
Can you help us approach foundations?
Yes. Our grant writers research foundation prospects, write letters of inquiry, and build a foundation fundraising plan. Request a free consultation.