Field Foundation of Illinois
The Field Foundation of Illinois is a private, independent foundation based in Chicago that supports community power building through strategic investments in civic infrastructure, the creative sector, local news outlets, and organizers. Established in 1960, the foundation was created by Marshall Field III, grandson of the founder of Marshall Field & Company department store. The foundation operates from its headquarters at Impact House, 200 W Madison St, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60606.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$9.8M
+124.6% YoY
Grant Count
268
+62.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$37K
+38.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Field Foundation seeks to support community empowerment through three primary focus areas:
- Justice – Supporting organizations working to address systemic issues in Chicago
- Art, Media & Storytelling – Investing in creative sectors and local news outlets
- Leadership Investment – Building civic infrastructure and developing community organizers
The foundation views itself as a strategic enabler rather than a long-term sustainer of innovative programs and organizations, with primary emphasis on underserved and disadvantaged individuals and populations. Racial equity is central to the foundation's giving strategy, with a commitment to investing 60% of its portfolio in BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) organizations classified as "by, for, and about" serving BIPOC communities.
The foundation prioritizes geographic focus on Chicago's South and West Sides.
Grantmaking
The foundation operates an online application portal at grantinterface.com. Applicants should visit fieldfoundation.org/how-to-apply/submission-process/ for detailed submission guidelines and restrictions. Decision timelines vary by program, with some programs operating on rolling bases.
Grant Range
** $15,000 to $250,000, with most grants between $15,000 and $100,000
How to Apply
The foundation operates an online application portal at grantinterface.com. Applicants should visit fieldfoundation.org/how-to-apply/submission-process/ for detailed submission guidelines and restrictions. Decision timelines vary by program, with some programs operating on rolling bases.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation prioritizes Chicago and its surrounding communities, with particular emphasis on Chicago's South and West Sides. While the majority of grants support Illinois-based organizations, the foundation also makes grants in the District of Columbia and California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $47.8 million to $49.5 million (as of 2024)
Annual Giving: $9.8 million to $10 million distributed annually
Total Revenues: $11.02 million (2024)
Total Expenses: $12.79 million (2024)
Number of Grants: Approximately 164 to 165 grants annually
The foundation's assets have remained relatively stable, ranging from $47.4 million to $51 million over recent years.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Field Foundation of Illinois
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include 10 Individuals - Details Upon Request ($250,000), The Chicago Community Foundation ($50,000), Chicago Art Department ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 10 INDIVIDUALS - DETAILS UPON REQUEST CHICAGO, IL | LEADERS FOR NEW CHICAGO | $250,000 |
| CHICAGO ART DEPARTMENT CHICAGO, IL | LEADERS FOR NEW CHICAGO | $25,000 |
| CHICAGO TORTURE JUSTICE CENTER CHICAGO, IL | LEADERS FOR NEW CHICAGO | $25,000 |
| FIREHOUSE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | LEADERS FOR NEW CHICAGO | $25,000 |
| HANA CENTER CHICAGO, IL | LEADERS FOR NEW CHICAGO | $25,000 |
| HARVEY WORLD HEARLD-FS TINY NEWS COLLECTIVE PHILADELPHIA, PA | LEADERS FOR NEW CHICAGO | $25,000 |
| REAL MEN CHARITIES CHICAGO, IL | LEADERS FOR NEW CHICAGO | $25,000 |
| REPERATIONS MEDIA NFP CHICAGO, IL | LEADERS FOR NEW CHICAGO | $25,000 |
| ROHINGYA CULTURE CENTER CHICAGO, IL | LEADERS FOR NEW CHICAGO | $25,000 |
| SOUTHSIDE TOGETHER ORGANIZING FOR POWER CHICAGO, IL | LEADERS FOR NEW CHICAGO | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Daniel O. Ash – President (since 2022)
Mark Murray – Chief Operating Officer
Gloria Castillo – Board Chair
Lyle Logan – Vice Chair
Board Members: F. Oliver Nicklin, Rita A. Fry, Stephanie Field Harris, Jamee Field Kane, Cathy J. Cohen, Nicholas Pearce, Lisa Yun Lee, Marshall Field V, Judith Stofer Block, and George A. Ranney Jr.
The foundation employs 11 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOE AGUILAR | BOARD CHAIR | 1 | — |
| GLORIA CASTILLO | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| DANIEL O ASH | PRESIDENT | 40 | $293,232 |
| SARAH M LINSLEY | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| LYLE LOGAN | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| MARK MURRAY | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $212,747 |
| F OLIVER NICKLIN | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| RITA A FRY | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| STEPHANIE FIELD HARRIS | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JAMEE FIELD KANE | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| CATHY J COHEN | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| LISA YUN LEE | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| MARSHALL FIELD V | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JUDITH STOFER BLOCK | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| GEORGE A RANNEY JR | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| DR NICHOLAS PEARCE | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025-2026 Healing Illinois Subgrantees** – The foundation announced its 2025-2026 cohort of Healing Illinois subgrantees in partnership with funding partners.
We're proud to share the 2025-2026 Healing Illinois subgrantees! In ...**2024 ART Grant Recipients** – The foundation announced recipients of its 2024 A Road Together grant program.
We're proud to share the 2025-2026 Healing Illinois subgrantees! In ...**2024 Healing Illinois Grant Recipients** – Annual announcement of Healing Illinois grantees.
We're proud to share the 2025-2026 Healing Illinois subgrantees! In ...**2024 Leaders for a New Chicago** – The foundation announced its 2024 cohort of Leaders for a New Chicago program participants.
Announcing the 2024 Leaders for a New Chicago - Field Foundation**MacArthur Foundation Partnership** – The foundation has received $33.7 million in grants from the MacArthur Foundation between 2018 and 2025, supporting local news initiatives and Chicago commitment programs.
Healing Illinois Announces 2026 Subgrantees \u2013 Field FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Field Foundation of Illinois fund?
The Field Foundation seeks to support community empowerment through three primary focus areas: • **Justice** – Supporting organizations working to address systemic issues in Chicago • **Art, Media & Storytelling** – Investing in creative sectors and local news outlets • **Leadership Investment** – Building civic infrastructure and developing community organizers The foundation views itself as a strategic enabler rather than a long-term sustainer of innovative programs and organizations, with pr…
How do I apply for a grant from Field Foundation of Illinois?
• **Grant Range:** $15,000 to $250,000, with most grants between $15,000 and $100,000 • **Median Grant:** $25,000 • **Annual Giving:** Approximately $9.8 million to $10 million distributed annually **A Road Together (ART) Grant** – Annual applications accepted mid-April through mid-May, with awards announced in Fall. **Journalism & Storytelling** – Rolling applications; supports local news outlets at city and state levels. **Healing Illinois** – Partnership program with subgrantees announced an…
Where does Field Foundation of Illinois make grants?
The foundation prioritizes Chicago and its surrounding communities, with particular emphasis on Chicago's South and West Sides. While the majority of grants support Illinois-based organizations, the foundation also makes grants in the District of Columbia and California.
What size grants does Field Foundation of Illinois award?
In 2024, Field Foundation of Illinois awarded 268 grants totaling $9.8M — an average of about $37K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Field Foundation of Illinois's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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