Chicago Cubs Charities
Chicago Cubs Charities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Chicago, Illinois (EIN: 36-3443543). The organization leverages sports as a vehicle for community impact, focusing on youth development, academic programming, and strategic grantmaking to underserved populations across Chicago and beyond.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$13.3M
-7.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.8M
+78.3% YoY
Grant Count
54
+25.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$51K
+42.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To mobilize the power of sport to champion youth, families, and communities.
Vision: To be recognized locally and globally for its collective work to encourage the love of sport and contribute to a more unified and thriving Chicago, where all youth, families, and communities have an equal opportunity to achieve their highest potential both on and off the field.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Sports-based youth development and academic programming
- Investments in safe places to play
- Strategic grantmaking to charitable organizations
- Direct programming for underserved children and youth
Grantmaking
Cubs Charities distributes grants to charitable organizations in Chicago and beyond. Recent grant activity includes:
Grant Range
** Typical awards range from approximately $5,156 to $847,767.
Ready to take the next step with Chicago Cubs Charities?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary focus on Chicago, Illinois, with grantmaking extending to organizations in Chicago and beyond, including recipients in New York and California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $14.3 million
- Annual Revenue: $4.76 million
- Annual Expenses: $3.43 million
- Total Liabilities: $1.59 million
- Total Giving: $2.87 million
Staffing: 15 employees (as of 2023)
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since September 1987; donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $13,255,145 | $14,324,428 | $13,267,620 |
| Revenue | $5,602,422 | $4,760,908 | $4,213,572 |
| Expenses | $5,788,212 | $3,434,573 | $3,421,300 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $543,433 | $384,066 | $8,779 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
230 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Mccormick Foundation ($847,767), Brainup Inc ($579,714), Stand up to Cancer ($210,143).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| MCCORMICK FOUNDATION CHICAGO, IL | Donation to Cubs Care Fund and Chicago Sports Alliance | $847,767 |
| BRAINUP INC FRANKFORT, IL | Donation for cancer education initiatives given CCC's new Cubs for a Cure event | $579,714 |
| STAND UP TO CANCER LOS ANGELES, CA | Donation for cancer education initiatives given CCC's new Cubs for a Cure event | $210,143 |
| SPORTSFIELD INC BLUE ISLAND, IL | Diamond Project & General Support | $82,883 |
| GOOD SPORTS INC BRAINTREE, MA | Diamond Project & Event Sponsorship | $60,000 |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS CHICAGO, IL | School All Star Grant | $50,000 |
| ADVOCATE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OAK BROOK, IL | Donation for cancer education initiatives given CCC's new Cubs for a Cure event | $35,024 |
| BEAR NECESSITIES PEDIATRIC CANCER FOUNDATION CHICAGO, IL | Donation for cancer education initiatives given CCC's new Cubs for a Cure event | $35,024 |
| LYNN SAGE BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION CHICAGO, IL | Donation for cancer education initiatives given CCC's new Cubs for a Cure event | $35,024 |
| PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION SANTA MONICA, CA | Donation for cancer education initiatives given CCC's new Cubs for a Cure event | $35,024 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brooke Ricketts | Director | 0.2 | — |
| Cecelia Ricketts | Director | 0.2 | — |
| Laura M Ricketts | Director | 2 | — |
| Susanne Shore | Director | 0.2 | — |
| Sylvie Legere | Director | 0.2 | — |
| Thomas S Ricketts | Director | 2 | — |
| Crane H Kenney | President | 0.8 | — |
| Jonathan Greifenkamp | Treasurer | 0.8 | — |
| Michael R Lufrano | V.P./Secretary | 3.8 | — |
| Keri Blackwell | Deputy Director, Strategy and Programs | 40 | $159,166 |
| Jennifer Dedes-Nowak | Assistant Director | 40 | $121,213 |
| Meredith Weber | Assistant Director of Development | 40 | $126,783 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Cubs Charities continues active grantmaking and community engagement. The organization distributed nearly $2 million in grants to Chicago nonprofits in recent grant cycles. The organization has partnered with corporate partners on health-focused initiatives, including partnerships addressing cancer awareness and prevention.
CUBS CHARITIES CONTINUES TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE FOR CHICAGO'S NONPROFITSFrequently Asked Questions
What does Chicago Cubs Charities fund?
**Mission:** To mobilize the power of sport to champion youth, families, and communities. **Vision:** To be recognized locally and globally for its collective work to encourage the love of sport and contribute to a more unified and thriving Chicago, where all youth, families, and communities have an equal opportunity to achieve their highest potential both on and off the field. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Sports-based youth development and academic programming • Investments in safe places to play
How do I apply for a grant from Chicago Cubs Charities?
Cubs Charities distributes grants to charitable organizations in Chicago and beyond. Recent grant activity includes: • Robert R McCormick Foundation: $839,100 (2023) for Cubs Care Fund and Chicago Sports Alliance • Future Farmers of America - Ilo188 Chicago High School of Agriculture: $50,000 (2023) for School All Star Grant • Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School: Grant awarded (2023) **Grant Range:** Typical awards range from approximately $5,156 to $847,767. **Funding Sources:** Cubs Charities …
Where does Chicago Cubs Charities make grants?
Primary focus on Chicago, Illinois, with grantmaking extending to organizations in Chicago and beyond, including recipients in New York and California.
What size grants does Chicago Cubs Charities award?
In 2024, Chicago Cubs Charities awarded 54 grants totaling $2.8M — an average of about $51K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Chicago Cubs Charities's EIN?
Chicago Cubs Charities's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3443543. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chicago Cubs Charities's focus areas in our free grants database
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
RHS Foundation
MOLINE, IL
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
37
Total Given
$342K
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
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Chicago Cubs Charities 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
Go from researching Chicago Cubs Charities to a real strategy.