Choose Chicago Foundation
The Choose Chicago Foundation accelerates the civic, cultural, and economic growth of chicago through travel and tourism initiatives.
Choose Chicago Foundation at a glance
In short: Choose Chicago Foundation reported $16.9M in grants paid in 2024 (a total; its filing lists no individual grants). Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Grants paid (2024)
- $16,937,073 — reported as a total on the IRS filing, without an itemized list
- +8487.9% vs 2023
- Total assets
- $782,051
- -90.8% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $9,234,883
- +14.1% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $175,430
- +977.7% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $16,964,535
- +7989.2% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who Choose Chicago Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
22 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 6 grants of 22 (27%).
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $71K (2022) to $16.9M (2024). In 2024 it reported $16.9M in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Development Now for Chicago Chicago, IL | Grant to defray costs of hosting 2024 democratic nationsl convention | $102,221 |
| Chicago Neighborhoods Initiative Inc Chicago, IL | Grant to help beautify outdoor space for the general public | $85,000 |
| National Lewis University Wheeling, IL | Scholarship Funds for Student - Andrea Salazar | $5,000 |
| Depaul University Chicago, IL | Scholarship Funds for Student - Molly McNulty | $5,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Choose Chicago Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $782,051 | $9,234,883 | $16,964,535 | $16,937,073 | Total only | $175,430 |
| 2023 | $8,510,181 | $8,093,782 | $209,719 | $197,221 | 4 | $16,278 |
| 2022 | $625,943 | $7,748 | $141,552 | $71,000 | 3 | — |
| 2021 | $859,781 | $2,550,000 | $2,408,872 | $2,353,300 | 15 | — |
| 2020 | $668,538 | $75,188 | $32,417 | — | — | $188 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About Choose Chicago Foundation
Based on IRS filings
Choose Chicago Foundation is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $782K in total assets. In 2024, it reported $16.9M in grants paid as a total on its IRS filing, without an itemized list. Net investment income was $175K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Choose Chicago Foundation is led by Lynn Osmond, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2022); none of the 9 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lynn Osmond
President & CEO
CEO → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rich Gamble
Interim President & CEO
New on the 2024 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Juan Leyva
Board Chair
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Rosilynn Stuttly
Director
On filings since 2022
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Al Orendorff
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Hamed Hasmy
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Lacael Palmer
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Sandi Robinson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
W. James Meyer
CFO
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: David Whitaker (2020–2021) — CEO
- Former: Marc Anderson (2020–2021) — COO
- Former: Alpana Singh (2020) — Treasurer
- Former: Glenn Eden (2020) — Chairman
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Choose Chicago Foundation
How much does Choose Chicago Foundation give each year?
Choose Chicago Foundation reported $16.9M in grants paid in 2024 on its 2024 IRS Form 990, as a total without an itemized list of grants. In 2023 it gave $197K across 4 grants.
How large is Choose Chicago Foundation?
Choose Chicago Foundation reported $782K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.2M.
What is Choose Chicago Foundation?
Choose Chicago Foundation is a public charity focused on Community Improvement & Capacity Building, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $782K in total assets as of 2024.
Where does Choose Chicago Foundation operate?
Choose Chicago Foundation has awarded grants in Illinois, Texas.
What is Choose Chicago Foundation's EIN?
Choose Chicago Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-4847768. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Choose Chicago Foundation'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
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
New York, NY
LISC funds affordable housing, community development, small businesses, and related efforts that strengthen inclusive communities, providing grants as well as loans, equity, and technical assistance across the country. Its 2024 grants had a median award of $40,000, though amounts varied widely. Application access is program-specific: for its Rhode Island child care facilities planning grants, applicants are instructed to consult program staff before submitting a request.
Assets
$1.6B
Grants
1,119
Total Given
$102.8M
The Coleman Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The Coleman Foundation funds community-based organizations and local institutions working in entrepreneurship, health, and intellectual and developmental disabilities, primarily in the greater Chicago area, with its IDD work focused on Illinois residents. In 2024, grants ranged from $1,000 to $250,000, with a median of $50,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests; proposals are by invitation only.
Assets
$182.4M
Grants
185
Total Given
$9.1M
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
Chicago, IL
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago funds nonprofits addressing basic needs and community priorities such as health care, housing, food assistance, early learning, workforce development, and legal services across greater Chicago, including targeted support for Chicago’s South and West Sides and south suburbs. In 2025, grants ranged from about $5,000 to $2 million, with a median of $25,000. The stated 2026 Impact Grants process was limited to current partners, and the BridgeBuilders application was closed; no open unsolicited application process is stated.
Assets
$48.8M
Grants
331
Total Given
$22.8M
Small Business Advocacy Council
Chicago, IL
The Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC) is a non-partisan, member driven organization that promotes the success of small business through political advocacy, support services, and educational programs
Assets
$87K
Grants
1
Total Given
$250K
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Choose Chicago Foundation'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.
Choose Chicago Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?