Field Foundation of Illinois
The Field Foundation of Illinois is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. It supports community power building in Chicago, with a focus on the South and West Sides, through grantmaking and awards related to arts and culture, community investments, journalism and storytelling, and local leaders.
Field Foundation of Illinois at a glance
In short: Field Foundation of Illinois gave $10.8M across 299 grants in 2025 (avg $36K), mostly in Illinois. 44% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $10,789,523
- +10.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 299
- +11.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $36,085
- -1.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $48,969,681
- +2.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 44% first-time grantees (115 of 259, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% 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 Field Foundation of Illinois
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- Invitation Only
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests in some program areas, but application routes differ: A Road Together accepts applications during its stated annual window, Community Investments is invitation-based, and…
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests in some program areas, but application routes differ: A Road Together accepts applications during its stated annual window, Community Investments is invitation-based, and Leaders for a New Chicago accepts nominations. The filing identifies online application materials and general award guidelines.
- Contact
Application contact: Mark Murray
Mailing address: 200 W Madison, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 831-0910
Website: https://fieldfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Field Foundation of Illinois
Who Field Foundation of Illinois funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was YWCA Northwestern Illinois ($1.2M across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $3.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
1,084 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 907 grants of 1,084 (84%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it focuses primarily on Chicago’s South and West Sides, using quality-of-life analysis to identify areas of greatest need. Its 2025 filing reports that 100% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois. The listed 2025 grants also include organizations in Rockford, Savoy, Marion, Springfield, Evanston, and Chicago.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 299 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Field Foundation of Illinois open to new grantees?
44%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 115 of 259 grantees (44%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $29K; repeat grants $52K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $25K repeat.
- 44% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 161% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 424% of 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
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.8M (2021) to $10.8M (2025). In 2025 it made 299 grants totaling $10.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YWCA Northwestern Illinois Rockford, IL | Project - funding for a specific project or program | $1,156,480 |
| United Way of Champaign County Savoy, IL | Project - funding for a specific project or program | $556,440 |
| Sicf Southern Illinois Community Foundation Marion, IL | Project - funding for a specific project or program | $430,444 |
| United Way of Central Illinois Springfield, IL | Project - funding for a specific project or program | $346,135 |
| 10 Individuals - Details Upon Reque Chicago, IL | Leaders for New Chicago | $250,000 |
| Half Step Chicago, IL | Operating - funding for ongoing operations of the organization | $200,000 |
| Alt Space Chicago Chicago, IL | Operating - funding for ongoing operations of the organization | $100,000 |
| True Star Foundation Chicago, IL | Operating - funding for ongoing operations of the organization | $100,000 |
| Enrich Chicago Chicago, IL | Operating - funding for ongoing operations of the organization | $100,000 |
| Uprising Theater Chicago, IL | Operating - funding for ongoing operations of the organization | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $48,969,681 | $15,410,875 | $14,209,451 | $10,789,523 | 299 | $13,351,428 | $4,860,468 | $3,151,372 |
| 2024 | $47,779,647 | $11,020,566 | $12,793,641 | $9,799,287 | 268 | $12,205,597 | $2,059,561 | $3,034,827 |
| 2023 | $49,523,534 | $7,176,773 | $6,488,141 | $4,362,882 | 165 | $6,008,959 | $1,859,932 | $2,769,964 |
| 2022 | $48,834,902 | $3,934,091 | $6,114,918 | $4,134,419 | 167 | $5,373,557 | $2,916,266 | $3,489,747 |
| 2021 | $51,015,729 | $9,453,748 | $5,811,972 | $3,812,553 | 185 | — | $6,660,453 | $3,030,924 |
| 2020 | $47,373,953 | $2,672,621 | $6,120,550 | $4,079,220 | 177 | — | $1,750,045 | $3,004,609 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Field Foundation of Illinois reported a distributable amount of $3.2M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to invest in arts and culture, civic infrastructure, journalism and storytelling, local leaders, and organizers to support community power building in Chicago. Its stated vision is to catalyze community transformation through strategic philanthropic investments.
Its grantmaking areas include A Road Together, which supports small and mid-sized arts and culture organizations; Community Investments, which supports resident-led organizations on Chicago’s South and West Sides; Journalism & Storytelling, which supports fact-based journalism and storytelling reflecting Chicagoans; and Leaders for a New Chicago, which recognizes leaders redefining civic leadership and reimagining the city’s future.
Examples of grantees’ work include True Star Foundation, which says it provides youth with creative outlets and literary and professional development programs, and Borderless Magazine, which describes itself as a Chicago-based nonprofit news outlet providing free local and state news coverage in English and Spanish. Enrich Chicago describes its work as antiracist organizing within the arts.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 299 grants totaling $10,789,523. Grant amounts ranged from $300 to $1,156,480, with a median of $25,000.
Among the largest 2025 awards were $1,156,480 to YWCA Northwestern Illinois, $556,440 to United Way of Champaign County, $430,444 to SICF Southern Illinois Community Foundation, and $346,135 to United Way of Central Illinois. The filing lists the first four as project funding. Other notable awards included $250,000 to 10 individuals for Leaders for a New Chicago, and $100,000 each to Half Step, Alt Space Chicago, True Star Foundation, Enrich Chicago, Uprising Theater, and The Chicago Community Foundation. The filing lists the $100,000 awards as operating support.
The foundation’s filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its application process varies by program. A Road Together accepts applications during a mid-April to mid-May window, with awards made in the fall. Community Investments has no open application call and uses an invitation-based, relationship-driven process. Leaders for a New Chicago uses nominations; its portal typically opens in mid-February and closes in mid-March. Those 2026 application windows were past as of October 2, 2026. The filing identifies online application materials and general award guidelines; the foundation’s FAQ says 501(c)(3) status is required, though some Community Power Building or Journalism & Storytelling requests may occasionally be made with a 501(c)(3) fiscal agent or sponsor, subject to confirmation with the foundation.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joe Aguilar as board chair, Gloria Castillo as vice chair, Daniel O. Ash as president, Sarah M. Linsley as secretary for part of the year, Lyle Logan as treasurer, and Mark Murray as chief operating officer for part of the year. It also lists F. Oliver Nicklin, Rita A. Fry, Stephanie Field Harris, and Jamee Field Kane as directors.
Field Foundation of Illinois is led by Daniel O. Ash, President on every filing since 2023; 2 of 14 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Daniel O. Ash
President
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$265K (2023) → $317K (2025)
Joe Aguilar
Board Chair
Treasurer → Board Chair, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cathy J. Cohen
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
F. Oliver Nicklin
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamee Field Kane
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Yun Lee
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marshall Field V
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicholas Pearce
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rita A. Fry
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Field Harris
Director
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Murray
Chief Operating Officer -
Chief Operating Officer → Chief Operating Officer -, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$245K (2022) → $217K (2025)
Gloria Castillo
Vice Chair
Chair → Board Chair, 2022
Board Chair → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lyle Logan
Treasurer
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah M. Linsley
Secretary -
Secretary → Secretary -, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (6)
- Former: George A. Ranney Jr. (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Judith Stofer Block (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Kym Hubbard (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Angelique Power-Til (2022) — President & Treasurer
- Former: Angelique Power (2020–2021) — President & Treasurer
- Former: Philip W. Hummer (2020–2021) — 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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $317K, to Daniel O Ash (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Field Foundation of Illinois
How much does Field Foundation of Illinois give each year?
Field Foundation of Illinois gave $10.8M across 299 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $9.8M across 268 grants.
What is Field Foundation of Illinois's typical grant size?
Field Foundation of Illinois's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $36,085, across 299 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Field Foundation of Illinois that year got $29K on average.
Where does Field Foundation of Illinois give grants?
Field Foundation of Illinois gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (262 grants), Evanston, IL (5 grants), Rockford, IL (3 grants) and Springfield, IL (3 grants).
Does Field Foundation of Illinois give general operating support?
Yes: 42% of Field Foundation of Illinois's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (127 of 299) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Project - Funding for a Specific Project or Program" (155 grants) and "Leaders for New Chicago - Gen Op" (11 grants).
Who are Field Foundation of Illinois's largest grantees?
Field Foundation of Illinois's largest 2025 grantees include YWCA Northwestern Illinois ($1,213,480 across 3 grants), United Way of Champaign County ($571,440 across 2 grants) and Sicf Southern Illinois Community Foundation ($448,044 across 2 grants), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 21% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Field Foundation of Illinois?
Field Foundation of Illinois reported $49.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $13.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Field Foundation of Illinois fund?
The foundation’s mission is to invest in arts and culture, civic infrastructure, journalism and storytelling, local leaders, and organizers to support community power building in Chicago. Its stated vision is to catalyze community transformation through strategic philanthropic investments. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Field Foundation of Illinois?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests in some program areas, but application routes differ: A Road Together accepts applications during its stated annual window, Community Investments is invitation-based, and… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Field Foundation of Illinois's EIN?
Field Foundation of Illinois's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6059408. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Field Foundation of Illinois accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 21, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 17, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 16, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Field Foundation of Illinois funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/field-foundation-of-illinois-morg_1a9ac5980bfd4e5bbb15fd13b66b5c4c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366059408_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Field Foundation of Illinois funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/field-foundation-of-illinois-morg_1a9ac5980bfd4e5bbb15fd13b66b5c4c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Field Foundation of Illinois'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.
Field Foundation of Illinois down — hundreds of funders to go?