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.
Key facts about Field Foundation of Illinois
- EIN
- 36-6059408
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $10,789,523
- Grants made (2025)
- 299
- Average grant
- $36,085
- Median grant
- $25,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 46% first-time grantees (119 of 259, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- The foundation operates an online application portal at grantinterface.com. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Field Foundation of Illinois funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Field Foundation of Illinois's 299 itemized 2025 grants were Illinois (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (262 grants), Evanston, IL (5 grants), Rockford, IL (3 grants) and Springfield, IL (3 grants). 42% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Project - Funding for a Specific Project or Program" (155 grants) and "Leaders for New Chicago - Gen Op" (11 grants).
Is Field Foundation of Illinois open to new grantees?
46%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 119 of 259 grantees (46%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $30K; repeat grants $51K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Field Foundation of Illinois
- How to evaluate Field Foundation of Illinois as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to Field Foundation of Illinois with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$10.8M
+10.1% YoY
Grant Count
299
+11.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
-1.3% 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
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.
Ready to take the next step with Field Foundation of Illinois?
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
Share of all 299 itemized 2025 grant dollars.
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 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
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 2025
Grant Size Distribution
1,084 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 2025 grants, the largest recipients include YWCA Northwestern Illinois ($1,213,480 across 3 grants), United Way of Champaign County ($571,440 across 2 grants), Sicf Southern Illinois Community Foundation ($448,044 across 2 grants).
| 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 |
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 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Aguilar | Board Chair | 1 | — |
| Gloria Castillo | Vice Chair | 1 | — |
| Daniel O Ash | President | 40 | $317,458 |
| Sarah M Linsley | Secretary - Part Year | 1 | — |
| Lyle Logan | Treasurer | 1 | — |
| Mark Murray | Chief Operating Officer - Part Year | 40 | $217,449 |
| 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 | — |
| 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?
The foundation operates an online application portal at grantinterface.com. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2025, Field Foundation of Illinois awarded 299 grants totaling $10.8M — an average of about $36K 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 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Field Foundation of Illinois's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
Assets
$6.0B
Grants
3,976
Total Given
$1.4B
John D and Catherine T Macarthur
Chicago, IL
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
Assets
—
Grants
568
Total Given
$19.3M
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
Chicago, IL
Assets
$48.8M
Grants
331
Total Given
$22.8M
The Joyce Foundation
Chicago, IL
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
470
Total Given
$52.2M
Lloyd a Fry Foundation
Chicago, IL
Assets
—
Grants
404
Total Given
$10.0M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Assets
—
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
Robert R McCormick Foundation
Chicago, IL
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
255
Total Given
$106.1M
Walder Foundation
Wilmington, DE
Assets
$154.6M
Grants
200
Total Given
$24.4M
Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation
Chicago, IL
Assets
—
Grants
355
Total Given
$7.1M
Arthur J Gallagher Foundation
Rolling Meadows, IL
Assets
—
Grants
2,692
Total Given
$1.6M
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
New York, NY
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
10,334
Total Given
$202.5M
More Funders in Illinois
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.