Grand Victoria Foundation
Grand Victoria Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. It supports racial justice work across Illinois, with a current emphasis on building community power and advancing Black-led efforts to address systemic inequities.
Grand Victoria Foundation at a glance
In short: Grand Victoria Foundation gave $6.5M across 114 grants in 2024 (avg $57K), mostly in Illinois. 21% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $6,485,223
- -6.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 114
- +4.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $56,888
- -10.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $180,888,075
- +9.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (24 of 113, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (89% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Grand Victoria Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s application information says applicants must be an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) public charity or work through a qualifying fiscal sponsor or agent. It supports Illinois organizations whose work aligns with its theory of action and grant programs, and looks for strong governance, community accountability and the infrastructure to carry out the work. Its application process begins with a Letter of Inquiry (LOI); however, the foundation says the LOI process is temporarily paused until October 2026. When applications are being accepted, LOIs are taken on a rolling basis, and staff determine whether to invite a full proposal. The foundation does not fund individuals, direct service, political campaigns, religious purposes or governmental entities. Its filing directs applicants to an attachment for application materials and award restrictions.
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Contact
Application contact: Grand Victoria Foundation
Mailing address: 230 W Monroe St Ste 2530, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 609-0200
Website: https://grandvictoriafdn.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 Grand Victoria Foundation
Who Grand Victoria Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Crossroads Fund ($555K). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
661 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 393 grants of 661 (59%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it funds organizations throughout Illinois and seeks work with county, regional or statewide impact. In 2024, 89% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois. The remaining reported shares were 4% in Idaho and 2% each in Missouri, California and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 114 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Grand Victoria Foundation open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 24 of 113 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $16K; repeat grants $69K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 72% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+0%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 108% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $5.9M (2022) to $7.4M (2020). In 2024 it made 114 grants totaling $6.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Crossroads Fund Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $555,150 |
| Chicago Votes Education Fund Chicago, ID | General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $226,500 |
| Hamilton Wings Elgin, IL | General Operating Support | $212,500 |
| Metropolitan Family Services Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $176,500 |
| Black Oaks Center Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $175,000 |
| United Congregations of Metro East St. Louis, IL | General Operating Support | $175,000 |
| East Side Aligned St. Louis, IL | General Operating Support | $161,500 |
| Grassroots Collaborative Chicago, IL | Project Support | $151,500 |
| Chicago Jobs Council Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $150,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $180,888,075 | $14,377,254 | $8,599,293 | $6,485,223 | 114 | $9,005,484 | $5,350,085 | $8,302,956 |
| 2023 | $165,942,699 | $14,764,733 | $9,837,555 | $6,895,671 | 109 | $9,749,912 | $5,653,034 | $7,291,066 |
| 2022 | $147,613,928 | $13,445,242 | $8,659,793 | $5,922,191 | 121 | $8,552,235 | $4,088,691 | $7,177,716 |
| 2021 | $167,134,023 | $22,046,260 | $9,107,044 | $6,478,441 | 130 | $8,565,530 | $12,879,746 | $7,434,468 |
| 2020 | $151,950,300 | $7,162,348 | $9,501,956 | $7,373,972 | 187 | — | $4,095,590 | $6,589,921 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Grand Victoria Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8.3M for 2024 — 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 foundation’s mission is to catalyze racial justice in Illinois by cultivating the voices, power and aspirations of Black people and supporting communities of color for collective liberation. It envisions a just and vibrant Illinois rooted in abundant health, wealth and joy, where Black people and all communities can flourish.
Its grantmaking centers on community power-building and systemic change. The foundation describes supporting community organizing, advocacy, policy analysis, research, culture shifting, narrative change, and coalitions and collaborations. It prioritizes organizations deeply embedded in and accountable to Black communities and other communities of color, particularly in Illinois communities affected by longstanding underinvestment and systemic racism.
Examples of supported organizations illustrate a range of work. Crossroads Fund says it supports Chicago-area community organizations working on racial, social and economic justice. Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation describes its work as helping low-income people in Chicago’s southland build power and use it to pursue their interests and liberation. Grassroots Collaborative says it brings together membership-based organizations to pursue local and statewide policy change.
Grantmaking
The foundation awarded $6,485,223 through 114 grants in 2024. Itemized grants ranged from $300 to $555,150, with a median of $25,000. In 2023, it awarded $6,895,671 through 109 grants; in 2022, it awarded $5,922,191 through 121 grants.
Among the largest 2024 awards were $555,150 to Crossroads Fund for general operating support; $250,000 to Chicago Votes Education Fund for general operating support; $226,500 to Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation for general operating support; and $212,500 to Hamilton Wings for general operating support. Other large awards included $176,500 to Metropolitan Family Services and $175,000 each to Black Oaks Center and United Congregations of Metro East, all for general operating support. Grassroots Collaborative received $151,500 for project support, while Chicago Jobs Council and Shriver Center on Poverty Law each received $150,000 for general operating support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Sharon Bush as president/executive director; Ricardo Estrada as chair; Christopher Rudd as treasurer; and Teresa Cordova as secretary. It lists Kristin Finney-Cooke, Heather Rapp and Candace Moore as directors.
Grand Victoria Foundation is led by Sharon Bush, President & Executive Director since 2021 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Sharon Bush
President & Executive Director
Executive Director → President & Executive Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$233K (2020) → $267K (2024)
Ricardo Estrada
Chair
Director → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristin Finney-Cooke
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather Rapp
Director
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Candace Moore
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Rudd
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Teresa Cordova
Secretary
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Eric T. McKissack (2020–2023) — Chair
- Former: Bill Reeg (2020–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Philip M. Kayman (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Ushma Shah (2020–2022) — Secretary
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $267K, to Sharon Bush (President/Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Grand Victoria Foundation
How much does Grand Victoria Foundation give each year?
Grand Victoria Foundation gave $6.5M across 114 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $6.9M across 109 grants.
What is Grand Victoria Foundation's typical grant size?
Grand Victoria Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $25,000, and its average grant was $56,888, across 114 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Grand Victoria Foundation that year got $16K on average.
Where does Grand Victoria Foundation give grants?
Grand Victoria Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (61 grants), Elgin, IL (23 grants), St. Louis, IL (2 grants) and Evanston, IL (2 grants).
Does Grand Victoria Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 77% of Grand Victoria Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (88 of 114) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Project Support" (26 grants).
Who are Grand Victoria Foundation's largest grantees?
Grand Victoria Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Crossroads Fund ($555,150), Chicago Votes Education Fund ($250,000) and Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation ($226,500), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Grand Victoria Foundation?
Grand Victoria Foundation reported $180.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $9.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $8.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Grand Victoria Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to catalyze racial justice in Illinois by cultivating the voices, power and aspirations of Black people and supporting communities of color for collective liberation. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Grand Victoria Foundation?
The foundation’s application information says applicants must be an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) public charity or work through a qualifying fiscal sponsor or agent. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Grand Victoria Foundation's EIN?
Grand Victoria Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4107162. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF 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 Grand Victoria Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Grand Victoria Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/grand-victoria-foundation-morg_0c0f19f0be974484b6cf3c83b9088242
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364107162_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Grand Victoria Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/grand-victoria-foundation-morg_0c0f19f0be974484b6cf3c83b9088242},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Grand Victoria 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.
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