John & Susan Dewan Foundation
The John & Susan Dewan Foundation is a private family foundation established in January 2000 in Chicago, Illinois, following the sale of STATS, Inc., a sports information company founded by John and Susan Dewan in the 1980s. The foundation is dedicated to providing hope and a future to those in poverty by supporting U.S.-based charitable organizations that empower people to help themselves.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$326K
+12.1% YoY
Grant Count
47
-6.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
+19.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to provide hope and a future to those in poverty by supporting organizations that help people to help themselves, with particular emphasis on programs within Chicago and USA-based organizations aiding those in poverty overseas.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education (approximately 59% of giving)
- Social & Human Services (approximately 28% of giving)
- Religion (approximately 4% of giving)
- International Aid
- Poverty alleviation
Recent strategic initiatives include supporting solar energy transitions for nonprofits and capacity-building programs for organizations with limited budgets.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s:** $1,000 to $117,500, with median grant amounts around $2,700–$3,000
Ready to take the next step with John & Susan Dewan Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily serves the Chicago area and internationally. Geographic distribution of grants:
- 77% of grants remain in Illinois
- Additional significant funding to California, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Louisiana
- International focus on Central America and developing countries, with emphasis on assisting women of color
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2024):
- Total Assets: $973,964
- Total Giving: $325,600
- Total Revenue: $505,903
- Total Expenses: $445,656
- Number of Employees: 0
Historical Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $869,035
- Total Giving: $299,830
- Total Revenue: $634,439
- Total Expenses: $413,865
- Giving Rate: 34.1%
| 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
246 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from John & Susan Dewan Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Chicago Jesuit Academy ($117,500), Spark Ventures ($21,000), JOSEPHINUM ACADEMY of the Sacred Heart ($17,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Bonaventure House Chicago, IL | Permanent supportive housing for persons with HIV/AIDS. | $2,500 |
| AMATE HOUSE CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTEERS WORKING IN SCHOOLS AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. | $1,000 |
| THE BOULEVARD CHICAGO, IL | EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE RECOVERING FROM ILLNESS OR INJURY. | $3,500 |
| CARE FOR FRIENDS CHICAGO, IL | FOOD AND BASIC SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS. | $3,500 |
| CARAVAN TO CLASS SAUSALITO, CA | SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION AND EDUCATION SUPPORT IN TIMBUKTU, MALI. | $5,000 |
| CENTRAL HONDURAN EDUCATION FUND CHICAGO, IL | EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR POOR STUDENTS IN VILLAGES NEAR TEGUCIGALPA, HONDURAS. | $3,000 |
| CHICAGO JESUIT ACADEMY CHICAGO, IL | EDUCATION SUPPORT FOR NEEDY STUDENTS AND CAPITAL SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL EXPANSION. | $117,500 |
| CONCERN AMERICA SANTA ANA, CA | FAIR TRADE CRAFT PROGRAM SUPPORTING JOB CREATION AND SOCIAL ENTERPRISE IN CENTRAL AMERICA. | $3,500 |
| COOPERATIVE FOR EDUCATION CINCINNATI, OH | RURAL TECHNOLOGY CENTER PROGRAM, WESTERN HIGHLANDS, GUATEMALA. | $2,500 |
| FRANCISCANS FOR THE WORLD CHICAGO, IL | Assistance for orphaned children in Gaza. | $2,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- John Dewan – President/Treasurer
- Susan Dewan – VP/Director
- Maria Lefkow Sorenson – Executive Director (as of 2024, with compensation of $78,120–$80,806)
- Thomas Teeling – Director/Executive Director/Secretary
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JOHN DEWAN | PRESIDENT/TREASURER | 20 | — |
| SUSAN DEWAN | VP/DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| THOMAS TEELING | DIRECTOR | 3 | — |
| Maria Lefkow Sorenson | Executive Director | 20 | $78,120 |
Contact Information
Address: 1501 N. Oakley Boulevard, #214, Chicago, IL 60622
Phone: 773-631-5218 (or 773-209-6759)
Email: info@dewanfoundation.org
Website: dewanfoundation.org
EIN: 36-4339823
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does John & Susan Dewan Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to provide hope and a future to those in poverty by supporting organizations that help people to help themselves, with particular emphasis on programs within Chicago and USA-based organizations aiding those in poverty overseas. Primary funding areas include: • **Education** (approximately 59% of giving) • **Social & Human Services** (approximately 28% of giving) • **Religion** (approximately 4% of giving) • **International Aid** • **Poverty alleviation** Recent strat…
How do I apply for a grant from John & Susan Dewan Foundation?
**Grant Ranges:** $1,000 to $117,500, with median grant amounts around $2,700–$3,000 **Recent Notable Grants:** • $117,500 to Chicago Jesuit Academy for education support and school expansion • $21,000 to Spark Ventures for secondary school student support in Ndola, Zambia • $10,600 to Paramedics For Children for medical care and disaster relief in Central America • $17,000 to Josephinum Academy of The Sacred Heart • $10,000 to Our Lady of Tepeyac High School • $10,042 to New Moms **Grant Activ…
Where does John & Susan Dewan Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily serves the Chicago area and internationally. Geographic distribution of grants: • **77% of grants** remain in Illinois • **Additional significant funding** to California, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Louisiana • **International focus** on Central America and developing countries, with emphasis on assisting women of color
What size grants does John & Susan Dewan Foundation award?
In 2024, John & Susan Dewan Foundation awarded 47 grants totaling $326K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is John & Susan Dewan Foundation's EIN?
John & Susan Dewan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4339823. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in John & Susan Dewan Foundation'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
Vanguard Charitable Endowment Program
SOUTHEASTERN, PA
Assets
$22.2B
Grants
24,269
Total Given
$3.0B
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust Inc
INDIANAPOLIS, IN
Assets
$9.1B
Grants
19,253
Total Given
$1.2B
National Philanthropic Trust
JENKINTOWN, PA
Assets
$42.2B
Grants
18,583
Total Given
$5.1B
The Blackbaud Giving Fund
CHARLESTON SC, SC
Assets
$52.7M
Grants
1,860
Total Given
$41.4M
Network for Good
WASHINGTON, DC
Assets
$96.2M
Grants
4,733
Total Given
$216.2M
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$48.8M
Grants
331
Total Given
$22.8M
Wp & Hb White Foundation
NORTHFIELD, IL
Assets
$29.6M
Grants
138
Total Given
$3.3M
Circle of Service Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
—
Grants
637
Total Given
$37.0M
Cuore e Mani Foundation
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
—
Grants
87
Total Given
$1.1M
All Chicago Making Homelessness History
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$23.6M
Grants
51
Total Given
$16.4M
The Pierce Family Charitable Foundation
WILMINGTON, DE
Assets
$1.0M
Grants
79
Total Given
$678K
More Funders in Illinois
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.