Chicago Cares Inc

Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Saint Louis, MO

Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports nonprofits in health, education, arts, disaster relief, reforestation, hunger relief, and community equity, with an emphasis on organizations actively supported by Enterprise employees and their families. Its reported grants range widely: 2024 giving averaged about $7,700 across 9,499 grants, while the foundation also offers awards of up to $40,000; it supports communities where Enterprise operates worldwide. Unsolicited requests are accepted at any time, but eligible applications must be submitted by an Enterprise team member or their spouse or domestic partner on behalf of a nonprofit they actively support.

Helen V Brach Foundation

Chicago, IL

The Helen V Brach Foundation funds education, animal and child welfare, and charitable, literary, arts, religious, and scientific purposes; its 2025 filings report 553 grants totaling about $5.9 million, but no typical award size is given. Recent filings show grants went to Illinois, including Chicago. It accepts requests from organizations not preselected for funding; an application form is available upon request, and applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations.

United Way - McCormick Partnership for Strong Neighborhoods Inc

Chicago, IL

The partnership funds community-led programs that improve neighborhoods and expand access to services and opportunities, with recent support for work ranging from youth and family services to housing, food equity, and community safety. Its 2025 grants went to Illinois organizations, primarily in Chicago-area neighborhoods, and ranged from $120,000 to $1,008,000 (median $490,000). The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Chicago Beyond Inc

Chicago, IL

Chicago Beyond funds community-rooted solutions addressing systemic inequity, with a focus on leaders closest to the issues and areas including birth and reproductive care, mental health, justice, and community safety. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $1.5 million, with a median of $250,000; it funds in Chicago and nationally. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests or nominations.

University of Chicago Medical Center

Chicago, IL

The University of Chicago Medical Center funds community health programs addressing chronic disease, violence prevention and behavioral health, and social needs such as access to care, food and workforce development. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,600 to $134,310, with a median of $10,000, primarily for organizations serving its 12 South Side ZIP codes. Community benefit grants are currently unavailable; it accepts sponsorship applications on a rolling basis for current-fiscal-year events.

Forefront

Chicago, IL

Forefront supports Illinois nonprofits and philanthropy through capacity building, general support, training, technical assistance, and grants for nonprofits exploring strategic partnerships. Its 2025 grants ranged from $7,400 to $543,031, with a median of $62,500; the Mission Sustainability Initiative also offers $5,000 exploration grants, but its application process is currently on hold. Forefront serves organizations statewide, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Michael Reese Health Trust

Chicago, IL

Michael Reese Health Trust supports nonprofits and initiatives advancing health equity in Chicago and the wider region, including work on domestic violence, homelessness, the health workforce, Jewish community needs, and reproductive and sexual healthcare in Illinois. Its 2025 grants ranged from $11,425 to $548,894, with a median of $125,000. It is not accepting new funding applications, though it welcomes conversations; the Prairie State Access Fund is listed as open.

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc

Chicago, IL

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago funds nonprofit work on basic needs and community-led efforts, including healthcare, housing, food assistance, early learning, safety, legal services, and workforce development across greater Chicago and the surrounding region. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,002 to $2,038,325, with a median of $25,000; the current Impact Grants cycle is closed to new applicants and limited to current partners, and the BridgeBuilders application is also closed.

Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights

Chicago, IL

ICIRR funds Illinois organizations serving immigrant and refugee communities, including work in assistance, public benefits, immigration services, health, education, civic participation, and organizing. In 2025, it made 83 grants ranging from $10,500 to $2,008,090, with a median grant of $269,319. The available information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

TKS Private Foundation

Summerville, SC

Leonard Family Charitable Foundation

Arlington HTS, IL

Robert R McCormick Foundation

Chicago, IL

The Robert R. McCormick Foundation funds education, community development and economic opportunity, journalism and government accountability, and support for service members, veterans, and their families. It focuses community investments on Chicago’s South and West Sides, especially Englewood and Little Village, while also supporting initiatives across the region; its 2024 median grant was $50,000.