DRW Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Chicago, IL EIN: 20-1734765

DRW Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its 2025 grants went to charitable organizations including schools, universities, youth programs, and organizations working on gun violence prevention.

DRW Foundation at a glance

In short: DRW Foundation gave $3.2M across 36 grants in 2025 (avg $88K), mostly in Illinois. 6% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2025)
$3,161,500
+15.3% vs 2024
Grants made (2025)
36
-16.3% vs 2024
Average grant
$87,819
+37.7% vs 2024
Median grant
$50,000
Total assets
$4,871,523
+1117.8% vs 2024
New grantees (estimate)
6% first-time grantees (2 of 36, 2025)
Primary geography
Illinois (64% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).

How to apply to DRW Foundation

Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to Apply

The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Contact

Mailing address: 540 W Madison Street 2500, Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: (312) 798-8482

Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Who DRW Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

California Institute of Technology: $750KCalifornia Institute ofTechnology$750KNoble Network of Charter Schools: $285KNoble Network of CharterSchools$285KCode Platoon: $200KCode Platoon$200KGreenwood Project: $150KGreenwood Project$150KUniversity of Chicago: $122KUniversity of Chicago$122KOwls Lacrosse: $110KOwls Lacrosse$110KBeat the Streets Chicago: $100KBeat the Streets Chicago$100KBottom Line: $100KBottom Line$100KChicago Tech Academy High School: $100KChicago Tech Academy HighSchool$100KEverytown for Gun Safety Support Fund Inc: $100KEverytown for Gun SafetySupport Fund Inc$100K

The largest 2025 recipient was California Institute of Technology ($750K). Together the top 10 received $2.0M.

Grant Size Distribution

200 grants across all recorded years

109<$50K44$50–100K40$100–250K5$250–500K2$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 109 grants of 200 (55%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, 64% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 25% to California, 5% to New York, 3% to Massachusetts, and 3% to Texas.

Grant Distribution by State

19states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.

Cities

ChicagoNew YorkAustinHoustonBostonEvanstonLos AngelesSkokieMaywoodPflugervilleDallasMemphisPasadenaSan FranciscoSt. PaulBoulder CityCambridgeCaryDeerfieldGoshen

Is DRW Foundation open to new grantees?

6%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 2 of 36 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $92K. How we count

Medians: $13K first-time, $63K repeat.

  • 92% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 43% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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

$0$1M$2M$3M$4M37 grants2020 29 grants2021 40 grants2022 52 grants2023 43 grants2024 36 grants2025

From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.4M (2021) to $3.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 36 grants totaling $3.2M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
California Institute of Technology Pasadena, CAGeneral Support$750,000
Noble Network of Charter Schools Chicago, ILGeneral Support$285,000
Code Platoon Chicago, ILGeneral Support$200,000
Greenwood Project Chicago, ILGeneral Support$150,000
University of Chicago Chicago, ILGeneral Support$121,500
Owls Lacrosse Chicago, ILGeneral Support$110,000
Beat the Streets Chicago Chicago, ILGeneral Support$100,000
Bottom Line Boston, MAGeneral Support$100,000
Chicago Tech Academy High School Chicago, ILGeneral Support$100,000
Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund Inc New York, NYGeneral Support$100,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with DRW Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2025$4,871,523$7,530,779$3,161,915$3,161,50036$3,161,515$2,420,779$58,673
2024$400,022$2,699,574$2,743,375$2,741,73943$2,741,769$5,659$19,979
2023$412,736$2,643,444$2,607,420$2,607,24552$2,607,420$7,213$17,777
2022$278,709$2,108,552$2,212,099$2,211,99240$2,212,099$4,415$15,786
2021$391,370$1,771,988$1,449,294$1,447,78129$1,449,294$3,323$14,691
2020$199,935$1,985,660$1,977,241$1,977,13537—$2,880$13,446

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, DRW Foundation reported a distributable amount of $59K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The available information does not state the foundation’s own mission. Its grants include support for organizations with varied missions. For example, Noble Network of Charter Schools says it works to provide students with equitable, positive school experiences that prepare them to complete college and lead choice-filled lives. Greenwood Project says it creates financial-services career pathways for Black and Latino college students. The BLOC says it uses boxing to provide resources and opportunities to Chicago youth and communities.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 36 grants totaling $3,161,500. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $750,000, with a median of $50,000.

The largest reported grant was $750,000 to the California Institute of Technology for general support. Other large grants included $285,000 to Noble Network of Charter Schools, $200,000 to Code Platoon, $150,000 to Greenwood Project, and $121,500 to the University of Chicago. Each was listed for general support. The foundation also gave $100,000 each to Beat the Streets Chicago, Bottom Line, Chicago Tech Academy High School, Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, Kids First Chicago for Education, and The BLOC.

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Jeffrey Levoff as president and director; Donald R Wilson Jr as vice president, secretary, and director; Jennifer Wilson as vice president, treasurer, and director; and Kenneth Brody as director.

DRW Foundation is led by Jeffrey Levoff, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Jeffrey Levoff

    President & Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Donald R. Wilson Jr.

    Vice President, Secretary & Director

    Secretary & Director → Vice President, Secretary & Director, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Jennifer Wilson

    Vice President, Treasurer & Director

    Director → Treasurer & Director, 2022

    Treasurer & Director → Vice President, Treasurer & Director, 2023

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

  • Kenneth Brody

    Director

    On filings since 2020

    1 hr/week

    No compensation reported

Former officers (1)
  • Former: Kevin Kroeger (2020–2021) — Treasurer & Director

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 DRW Foundation

How much does DRW Foundation give each year?

DRW Foundation gave $3.2M across 36 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.7M across 43 grants.

What is DRW Foundation's typical grant size?

DRW Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $87,819, across 36 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from DRW Foundation that year got $13K on average.

Where does DRW Foundation give grants?

DRW Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (25%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (27 grants) and New York, NY (3 grants).

Does DRW Foundation give general operating support?

Yes: 100% of DRW Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (36 of 36) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Who are DRW Foundation's largest grantees?

DRW Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include California Institute of Technology ($750,000), Noble Network of Charter Schools ($285,000) and Code Platoon ($200,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 39% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is DRW Foundation?

DRW Foundation reported $4.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $3.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $59K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does DRW Foundation fund?

The available information does not state the foundation’s own mission. Its grants include support for organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from DRW Foundation?

The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is DRW Foundation's EIN?

DRW Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-1734765. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.

Does DRW Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?

No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑

Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Data update history

(2)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 1, 2026)
  2. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in DRW Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Illinois

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

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

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.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.1B

Grants

896

Total Given

$166.6M

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

Elks National Foundation Inc

Chicago, IL

The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans’ services, and charitable projects through Elks Lodges and state associations across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median size of $10,000, though awards varied widely; the profile describes application routes for specific Lodge and scholarship programs but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$954.1M

Grants

1,536

Total Given

$36.5M

John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation

Chicago, IL

The MacArthur Foundation funds work advancing a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, including climate solutions, criminal justice, journalism, technology, and Chicago. In 2024, its grants had a median of $160,000, though awards ranged widely; it generally does not accept unsolicited requests, with possible exceptions for specific open calls or proposals that meet program guidelines.

Assets

$9.3B

Grants

1,086

Total Given

$356.1M

More similar funders

More Funders in Illinois

Cite this profile

Grantable. (2026). DRW Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/drw-foundation-morg_78a12f73ac0f4dfca9312527c1291295

BibTeX
@misc{grantable_201734765_2026,
  author       = {{Grantable}},
  title        = {{DRW Foundation funder profile}},
  howpublished = {GrantGraph},
  year         = {2026},
  url          = {https://grantable.co/funders/drw-foundation-morg_78a12f73ac0f4dfca9312527c1291295},
  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 DRW 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.

DRW Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?