Chicago Bulls Charities
Chicago Bulls Charities is a Chicago, Illinois public charity that supports organizations addressing issues in the city. Its stated mission centers on community violence prevention, and its funding supports education, community investment, health and wellness, and access to opportunities for underserved Chicagoans.
Chicago Bulls Charities at a glance
In short: Chicago Bulls Charities gave $1.2M across 14 grants in 2025 (avg $86K), mostly in Illinois. 64% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,197,406
- +78.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 14
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $85,529
- +78.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $4,088,085
- +2.6% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 64% first-time grantees (9 of 14, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Chicago Bulls Charities
- Contact
Mailing address: 1901 W Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 455-4000
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Chicago Bulls Charities funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was McCormick Foundation ($267K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
82 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 59 grants of 82 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All reported 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois. The listed recipients were based in Chicago, except Dion’s Dream, which was listed in Matteson, Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 14 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Chicago Bulls Charities open to new grantees?
64%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 14 grantees (64%) were first-time recipients. With only 14 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 7 points. First grants averaged $77K; repeat grants $101K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $15K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $352K (2019) to $14.5M (2023). In 2025 it made 14 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| McCormick Foundation Chicago, IL | Program Support | $266,667 |
| After School Matters Chicago, IL | Program Support | $250,000 |
| Operation Hope Chicago, IL | Program Support | $242,761 |
| Chicago Sports Alliance (McCormick Foundation) Chicago, IL | Program Support | $200,000 |
| Beyond the Ball Chicago, IL | Program Support | $80,000 |
| Rose Growing Home Chicago, IL | Program Support | $37,978 |
| Civic Committee Commerical Chicago, IL | Program Support | $25,000 |
| Pilgrim Development Corporation Chicago, IL | Program Support | $15,000 |
| Bright Star Community Outreach Chicago, IL | Program Support | $15,000 |
| Dion's Dream Matteson, IL | Program Support | $15,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Chicago Bulls Charities?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing type is Form 990 (a public charity).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $4,088,085 | $1,232,769 | $1,365,881 | $1,197,406 | 14 | $139,198 |
| 2024 | $3,984,244 | $1,512,644 | $918,690 | $671,667 | 14 | $137,686 |
| 2023 | $3,759,028 | $2,061,078 | $14,773,155 | $14,531,834 | 22 | $44,990 |
| 2022 | $4,418,527 | $1,784,035 | $1,968,690 | $1,719,001 | 14 | $19,166 |
| 2021 | $3,919,718 | $254,680 | $1,299,594 | $1,063,333 | 18 | $25,424 |
| 2020 | $4,974,111 | $1,006,332 | $1,121,479 | $905,000 | 12 | $52,350 |
| 2019 | $5,562,891 | $1,079,962 | $885,990 | $351,667 | 10 | $66,358 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
In its 2023 filing, Chicago Bulls Charities said it is committed to community violence prevention through four focus areas: education, investment, health and wellness, and access to opportunities. Its program description says it provides financial assistance to support those areas for underserved Chicagoans.
The Bulls’ website describes its current impact priorities as championing personal growth through basketball, building career pathways, and combating hate and celebrating community. The 2025 grants include support for organizations whose own missions span different approaches to community needs. For example, After School Matters says it provides Chicago public high school teens with opportunities to develop talents and skills for work and college. Beyond the Ball says it uses sport and play to reclaim space, unite communities, and develop opportunity. Growing Home describes its work as organic farming and workforce development in Greater Englewood, including paid employment training and access to affordable produce.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Chicago Bulls Charities reported 14 grants totaling $1,197,406. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $266,667, with a median of $20,000. The listed grant purposes were program support.
Largest reported grants included $266,667 to the McCormick Foundation, $250,000 to After School Matters, $242,761 to Operation Hope, $200,000 to Chicago Sports Alliance (McCormick Foundation), and $80,000 to Beyond the Ball. Other listed recipients included Rose Growing Home ($37,978), Civic Committee Commerical ($25,000), and Pilgrim Development Corporation, Bright Star Community Outreach, Dion’s Dream, Ann & Robert HLurie Children’s Hospital, and Chicago Leadership Fellowship ($15,000 each).
The Bulls’ website describes annual grants to a select group of organizations and highlights grantmaking and programming supported by Chicago Bulls Charities.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Nancy Reinsdorf as president; Adrienne Scherenzel as executive director; Andrew Herrington-Gilmore as secretary; and Kieran Kelliher as treasurer. It lists John Paxson, Michael Reinsdorf, and Ram Padmanabhan as directors.
Chicago Bulls Charities is led by Nancy Reinsdorf, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Nancy Reinsdorf
President
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adrienne Scherenzel
Executive Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Paxson
Director
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Reinsdorf
Director
Director & CEO → Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ram Padmanabhan
Director
Director & Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kieran Kelliher
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Andrew Herrington-Gilmore
Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Adrienne Scherenzel-Curry (2022–2023) — Executive Director
- Former: Susan Goodenow (2019–2021) — Executive Director
- Former: Leslie Forman (2019–2020) — Vice President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Chicago Bulls Charities
How much does Chicago Bulls Charities give each year?
Chicago Bulls Charities gave $1.2M across 14 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $672K across 14 grants.
What is Chicago Bulls Charities's typical grant size?
Chicago Bulls Charities's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $85,529, across 14 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Chicago Bulls Charities that year got $77K on average.
Where does Chicago Bulls Charities give grants?
Chicago Bulls Charities gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (13 grants).
Does Chicago Bulls Charities give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 14 grants with a stated purpose on Chicago Bulls Charities's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (14 grants).
Who are Chicago Bulls Charities's largest grantees?
Chicago Bulls Charities's largest 2025 grantees include McCormick Foundation ($266,667), After School Matters ($250,000) and Operation Hope ($242,761), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 63% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Chicago Bulls Charities?
Chicago Bulls Charities reported $4.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.2M.
What does Chicago Bulls Charities fund?
In its 2023 filing, Chicago Bulls Charities said it is committed to community violence prevention through four focus areas: education, investment, health and wellness, and access to opportunities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Chicago Bulls Charities?
Chicago Bulls Charities has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Chicago Bulls Charities's EIN?
Chicago Bulls Charities's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3544506. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 10, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 5, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 8, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 16, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chicago Bulls Charities's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Robert R McCormick Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Robert R. McCormick Foundation funds early childhood education, journalism and government accountability, support for service members and veterans, and community development, with much of its local work focused on Chicago’s South and West Sides, especially Englewood and Little Village. Its 2024 median grant was $50,000, though awards varied widely; funding is by invitation only, and it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
255
Total Given
$106.1M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial supports education, the environment, health and human services, gun violence prevention, homelessness prevention, and Jewish community and Israel initiatives, with a strong focus on Chicago and giving across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, its grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000. It uses an invitation-only process and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago funds human services, Jewish education and community programs, crisis response, and support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, primarily through Chicago-area agencies and initiatives. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $20,000, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
Circle of Service Foundation
Chicago, IL
The foundation funds community services, education, Jewish community, and medical research, with grantmaking concentrated in Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois, though it also funds organizations elsewhere. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000 and ranged from $50 to about $1.74 million; it accepts unsolicited pre-applications for community services and for Jewish community requests in Cook or Lake County, but not for the other stated categories or out-of-area Jewish community requests.
Assets
$592.0M
Grants
637
Total Given
$37.0M
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
$89.3M
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Chicago Bulls Charities funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/chicago-bulls-charities-morg_d0282f7071884f6b86ab9a8f9f38d76f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363544506_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Chicago Bulls Charities funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/chicago-bulls-charities-morg_d0282f7071884f6b86ab9a8f9f38d76f},
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 Chicago Bulls Charities'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.
Chicago Bulls Charities down — hundreds of funders to go?