Alphawood Foundation
Alphawood Foundation is a Chicago-based private foundation working for an equitable, just, and humane society. It supports organizations advancing legal services and advocacy, communities of color, LGBTQ+ rights and health, access to the arts, and preservation of the built environment.
Alphawood Foundation at a glance
In short: Alphawood Foundation gave $8.1M across 126 grants in 2025 (avg $64K), mostly in Illinois. 18% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $8,090,605
- -21.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 126
- +21.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $64,211
- -35.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $36,080
- Total assets
- $59,571,823
- -8.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (23 of 126, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (73% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Alphawood Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website invites organizations whose work matches its priorities to submit information through an inquiry form, but says it cannot respond to every inquiry.
- Contact
Application contact: Alphawood Foundation
Mailing address: 2401 N Halsted St Ste 210, Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: (773) 477-8984
Website: https://alphawoodfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Alphawood Foundation
Who Alphawood Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Soas (School of Oriental and African Studies) ($733K). Together the top 10 received $3.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
643 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 453 grants of 643 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation has a strong preference for organizations serving the Chicago metropolitan region. In the 2025 filing, Illinois recipients accounted for 73% of grant dollars; Pennsylvania accounted for 6%, New York for 3%, and Washington, DC, for 2%. The filing also lists an unidentified state category at 9%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 126 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Alphawood Foundation open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 23 of 126 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $55K; repeat grants $66K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $35K repeat.
- 74% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 40% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 441% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $6.2M (2023) to $13.5M (2022). In 2025 it made 126 grants totaling $8.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Soas (School of Oriental and African Studies) | Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art and Scholarships | $732,580 |
| Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PA | James D. McDonough Fellowship in Queer Art History | $522,122 |
| Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund - Midwest Region Chicago, IL | General operations for midwest regional office, support for senior attorney position, midwest regional office | $325,000 |
| University of Chicago Institute of Politics Chicago, IL | Intern Program Support | $300,000 |
| Nijc NFP Chicago, IL | General Operations | $275,200 |
| AIDS Foundation of Chicago Chicago, IL | General Operations | $275,000 |
| Grow Greater Englewood Chicago, IL | Support for Grow Park Campus | $250,000 |
| Joffrey Ballet Chicago, IL | General Operations | $250,000 |
| Legal Aid Chicago Chicago, IL | General Operations | $200,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Illinois Chicago, IL | General Operations | $175,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Alphawood Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $59,571,823 | $18,006,411 | $11,608,627 | $8,090,605 | 126 | $12,290,240 | $17,150,639 | $2,787,407 |
| 2024 | $65,137,736 | $9,136,910 | $20,008,749 | $10,350,162 | 104 | $15,677,634 | $8,456,358 | $3,096,583 |
| 2023 | $70,054,576 | $3,344,714 | $20,158,380 | $6,228,131 | 123 | $11,987,201 | $2,652,380 | $3,629,595 |
| 2022 | $96,386,448 | $15,256,055 | $16,973,400 | $13,545,506 | 147 | $17,226,477 | $15,655,375 | $4,625,257 |
| 2021 | $106,041,113 | $5,248,551 | $9,622,580 | $6,610,551 | 143 | — | $4,813,153 | $879,722 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Alphawood Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.8M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation describes its goal as working for an equitable, just, and humane society. Its website identifies funding priorities including arts empowerment; LGBTQ+ health and HIV prevention; LGBTQ+ rights and education; empowering communities of color; legal services and advocacy; and preserving the built environment. It generally provides unrestricted, general operating support to nonprofit organizations with clear missions and demonstrated programmatic and managerial effectiveness. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3), and the foundation has a strong preference for organizations serving the Chicago metropolitan region.
Its 2025 grants illustrate a range of supported work. The National Immigrant Justice Center describes its work as advancing immigrant rights through legal services, litigation, advocacy, and strategic communications. The AIDS Foundation of Chicago says it mobilizes communities to create equity and justice for people living with or vulnerable to HIV and related chronic disease. Legal Aid Chicago describes providing civil legal aid to people living in poverty and other vulnerable groups. Preservation Chicago says it champions and protects the city’s historic built environment.
Grantmaking
The 2025 filing reports 126 grants totaling $8,090,605. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $732,580, with a median of $36,080. Notable awards included $732,580 to SOAS for a postgraduate diploma in Asian art and scholarships; $522,122 to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania for the James D. McDonough Fellowship in Queer Art History; and $325,000 to Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund’s Midwest Region for general operations and support for a senior attorney position.
Other sizable 2025 awards included $300,000 to the University of Chicago Institute of Politics for intern program support; $275,200 to the National Immigrant Justice Center for general operations; $275,000 to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago for general operations; and $250,000 each to Grow Greater Englewood for support for Grow Park Campus and to Joffrey Ballet for general operations.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Chirag Badlani as executive director and general counsel; Fred Eychaner as president, treasurer, and director; Tom Yoder as vice-president and director; and Mark Ishaug as secretary and director. It also lists Joan Barry as assistant treasurer, and Kim Foxx, Charles Gross, Barbara Richardson, and Roy Wesley as directors.
Alphawood Foundation is led by Fred Eychaner, President, Treasurer & Director on every filing since 2021; 6 of 9 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Fred Eychaner
President, Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barbara Richardson
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$12K (2025)
Tom Yoder
Vice President & Director
Director → Vice President & Director, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$12K (2025)
Chirag Badlani
Exe. Director & General Counsel
Executive Director → Exe. Director & General Counsel, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$75K (2022) → $280K (2025)
Mark Ishaug
Secretary & Director
Director → Secretary & Director, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
$12K (2025)
Roy Wesley
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$12K (2025)
Kim Foxx
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
$12K (2025)
Charles Gross
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joan Barry
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: James McDonough (2021–2023) — Legal Counsel
- Former: Don Hilliker (2021–2022) — Secretary & Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $280K, to Chirag Badlani (EXE. Director/General Counsel). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Alphawood Foundation
How much does Alphawood Foundation give each year?
Alphawood Foundation gave $8.1M across 126 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $10.4M across 104 grants.
What is Alphawood Foundation's typical grant size?
Alphawood Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $36,080, and its average grant was $64,211, across 126 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Alphawood Foundation that year got $55K on average.
Where does Alphawood Foundation give grants?
Alphawood Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 73% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Pennsylvania (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (97 grants), New York, NY (5 grants) and Washington, DC (3 grants).
Does Alphawood Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 72% of Alphawood Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (91 of 126) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Alphawood Foundation's largest grantees?
Alphawood Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Soas (School of Oriental and African Studies) ($732,580), Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania ($522,122) and Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund - Midwest Region ($325,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Alphawood Foundation?
Alphawood Foundation reported $59.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $12.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Alphawood Foundation fund?
The foundation describes its goal as working for an equitable, just, and humane society. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Alphawood Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Alphawood Foundation's EIN?
Alphawood Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3805338. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Alphawood Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 30, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 20, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 18, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Alphawood Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Alphawood Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/alphawood-foundation-morg_f586ad946c5f46528e769eec941d86ae
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363805338_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Alphawood Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/alphawood-foundation-morg_f586ad946c5f46528e769eec941d86ae},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Alphawood Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Alphawood Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?