Blowitz-Ridgeway Foundation
The Blowitz-Ridgeway Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1984 with proceeds from the sale of Ridgeway Hospital—a nonprofit psychiatric facility that served low-income adolescents—the foundation has evolved into a significant funder of health care and housing services for economically disadvantaged populations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$23.7M
+16.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+3.8% YoY
Grant Count
80
+11.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
-6.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to provide grants and program-related investments primarily in the areas of health, mental and physical disability, and social services, with emphasis on children and youth.
In late 2017, the foundation refined its funding focus to concentrate on two primary areas:
- Health Care Services: Supporting nonprofit agencies that provide medical and psychological services to economically disadvantaged individuals, with particular attention to addressing social and economic barriers that cause health disparities
- Housing and Homeless Services: Funding programs that provide access to prevention, treatment, and support services for individuals experiencing homelessness, recognizing housing as a critical social determinant of physical and mental health
The foundation is committed to supporting organizations that serve low-income, uninsured, and medically underserved communities.
Grantmaking
Average Grant
of approximately $15,000.
How to Apply
**: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis (outside of the current pause period).
Ready to take the next step with Blowitz-Ridgeway Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation provides support geographically within Chicago and six collar counties: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will. The foundation also funds projects in Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $23,651,528 (as of 2024)
Annual Giving: $1,084,500 (2024 fiscal year)
Total Revenue: $834,038 (2024)
Total Expenses: $1,545,351 (2024)
Giving Rate: 6.6%
Staff: 2 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $23,651,528 | $20,372,256 | $19,742,479 |
| Revenue | $834,038 | $-23,482 | $523,475 |
| Expenses | $1,545,351 | $1,513,147 | $1,551,461 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,462,876 | $1,410,977 | $1,420,181 |
| Net Investment Income | $695,640 | $334,183 | $320,508 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,093,235 | $1,022,898 | $1,128,967 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
200 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Blowitz-Ridgeway Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sandra Swantek, MD – President
- Serena L. Moy – Executive Director
- Laura Romero – Grants Manager
- Pierre LeBreton – Vice President
- Esther Nieves – Secretary
- Jennifer Arwade – Trustee
- Rebekah Azar Rashidfarokhi – Trustee
- Ponda Barnes – Trustee
- Angel Beltran – Trustee
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandra Swantek MD | President | 4 | $5,000 |
| Pierre LeBreton | Vice President | 4 | $5,000 |
| Esther Nieves | Secretary | 4 | $5,000 |
| Allen Wesolowski | Treasurer - End 06/2024 | 4 | $5,000 |
| Edward Jacob | Trustee - End 06/2024 | 4 | $5,000 |
| Jennifer Arwade | Trustee | 4 | $5,000 |
| Rebekah Azar Rashidfarokhi | Trustee | 4 | $5,000 |
| Serena Moy | Executive Director | 40 | $110,897 |
| Ponda Barnes | Trustee - Start 06/2024 | 4 | — |
| Angel Beltran | Trustee - Start 06/2024 | 4 | — |
| Elizabeth L Carter | Trustee - Start 06/2024 | 4 | — |
Recent Grant Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grantees include:
RefugeeOne – $20,000 (2024)
Connections for the Homeless – $20,000 (2024)
South Suburban PADS – $20,000 (2024)
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless (Youth Futures Legal Clinic) – $15,000 (2023)
YWCA Evanston/North Shore – $15,000 (2024)
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Green and Blue Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$51K
Above and Beyond Daycare Center
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Primo Center for Women & Children
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Rose Lafferty Educational Fund Xxxxx9006
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$228K
The John Crerar Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$991K
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Fostering Success
WAYNE, IL
Assets
$38K
Grants
1
Total Given
$2K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Blowitz-Ridgeway Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities