Chicago Beyond is a national philanthropic organization based in Chicago, Illinois, with offices located in the Fulton Market District of Chicago's West Loop. Founded in 2016, the organization operates as a private independent foundation focused on building a world in which every individual, regardless of zip code, has equitable access to opportunities. Chicago Beyond makes strategic investments, leads national initiatives, and provides insights to drive equitable change across philanthropy, justice, health, and related sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$880K
+3.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$9.9M
-4.9% YoY
Grant Count
30
-26.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$332K
+29.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Chicago Beyond seeks to build a world in which every individual, regardless of zip code, has equitable access to opportunities by making strategic investments, leading national initiatives, and providing valuable insights to drive equitable change in philanthropy, justice, health, and beyond.
The organization addresses systemic inequity by backing solutions led by those closest to the issues. Rather than specifying narrow subject areas, Chicago Beyond takes a broad approach to its philanthropic efforts, supporting work across employment services, food security, re-entry supports, LGBTQIA+ safe spaces, art classes, environmental justice, wellness, and transformative justice and maternal health initiatives.
Grantmaking
Chicago Beyond employs a distinctive investment approach centered on flexible funding and equitable partnership:
How to Apply
** Chicago Beyond is not reviewing unsolicited nominations for funding at this time. The organization identifies leaders and organizations closest to the issues for potential partnership through ongoing discussions with grant partners, community connections across the country, and continuous research. This approach reduces organizational burden and allows nonprofits to remain focused on mission-aligned work.
Ready to take the next step with Chicago Beyond Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Chicago Beyond funds projects across multiple U.S. cities, including major urban centers such as New York, San Francisco, and Miami, as well as several cities in Illinois. The organization has a national scope despite its Chicago base.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending December 2024:
- Total Assets: $880,091
- Total Expenses: $15,132,573
- Revenue: $0
- Total Liabilities: $97.6 million
- Total Giving: $9,949,333
Historical Context: Since its inception in 2016, Chicago Beyond has invested more than $100 million in over 200 individuals and organizations in support of its mission.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $880,091 | $854,585 | $1,837,444 |
| Revenue | — | $500,000 | — |
| Expenses | $15,132,573 | $15,911,491 | $7,459,881 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $9,949,333 | $10,465,381 | $3,787,129 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $53,503 | $48,404 | $15,284 |
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
158 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Elizabeth Dozier – President and Founder. Dozier founded Chicago Beyond in 2016 and previously served as principal of Fenger Academy High School on Chicago's South Side, where she led significant school improvements including doubling student graduation rates (from 40% to 80%), decreasing dropout rates (from 20% to 2%), and substantially reducing in-school arrests (from 300 to 10).
Mark R. Walter and Kimbra D. Walter – Directors who provided initial funding for the organization's launch and serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELIZABETH DOZIER | PRESIDENT | 40 | $450,000 |
| MARK R WALTER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
| KIMBRA D WALTER | DIRECTOR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Chicago Beyond has announced significant grant activity and partnerships:
NBA Foundation, Chicago Beyond, and Chicago Bulls Announce Grant Recipients**2024 Investments:** The organization announced over $10 million in investments for transformative justice and maternal health organizations across the country in 2024.
Chicago Beyond Announces Over $10M in Investments for Transformative Justice**NBA Foundation Partnership:** Chicago Beyond partnered with the NBA Foundation and Chicago Bulls to launch a $1 million hyperlocal initiative supporting nonprofits driving economic opportunity for Black youth and communities.
NBA Foundation, Chicago Beyond, and Chicago Bulls Announce Grant Recipients**JustLeadershipUSA Initiative:** Chicago Beyond provided grants through JustLeadershipUSA for directly impacted people to enact change within the criminal justice system.
NBA Foundation, Chicago Beyond, and Chicago Bulls Announce Grant Recipients**Whole Philanthropy Framework:** Chicago Beyond developed and continues to adhere to Whole Philanthropy, a framework articulating an equitable philanthropic approach centered on consciousness, connectedness, and standing in solidarity with partners ("with, not for").
NBA Foundation, Chicago Beyond, and Chicago Bulls Announce Grant RecipientsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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