Just Peace Inc

Wayfarer Foundation

Highland Park, IL

The Wayfarer Foundation funded spiritually rooted, justice-oriented nonprofits working in areas such as education, racial justice, gender equality, the arts, and youth empowerment. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $4.5 million, with a median of $87,500; giving was concentrated in Illinois, followed by California and New York. It supported only preselected organizations and did not accept unsolicited requests; the foundation has announced it is winding down while honoring existing commitments.

Rivendell Foundation Inc

Hockessin, DE

Rivendell Foundation supports organizations working in areas including survivor services, reproductive health, women’s career opportunities, food access, and land conservation, with recent grants concentrated in Vermont, Montana, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New York. Its 2025 grants ranged from $750 to $40,000, with a median of $5,000. It accepts requests by letter describing the project and budget.

The Robert Fleming & Jane Howe Patrick

Charlotte, VT

Harris & Frances Block Foundation Inc

Marshfield, VT

The foundation funds small, grassroots nonprofits working on social and economic justice, environmental issues, sustainable agriculture, and food systems, primarily in Vermont, North Carolina, Virginia, and New York City. Its 2024 grants ranged from $2,000 to $35,000, with a median of $20,000. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests; it considers inquiries from invited organizations.

International Paper Company Foundation

Memphis, TN

The foundation funds education, hunger relief, health and wellness, and disaster relief, primarily in communities where International Paper operates and has a significant employee presence. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $250,000, with a median of $3,500. It accepts unsolicited requests, except Memphis-area requests are by invitation only.

The Waterwheel Foundation

New York, NY

The WaterWheel Foundation supports nonprofits in communities where Phish tours and in Vermont, with interests including environmental protection, social justice, food insecurity, music education, and services for people in need; it gives particular attention to Lake Champlain watershed cleanup. Its 2024 grants ranged from $800 to $2.69 million, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

The Chicago Community Trust

Chicago, IL

The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits advancing economic mobility, narrowing the wealth gap, and meeting urgent needs, with priorities including Black and Latine income and assets, homeownership, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2024 median grant was $25,000, though awards varied widely; funding generally benefits Chicago-region residents. It accepts applications for listed open opportunities through GrantCentral; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests outside those opportunities.

Arthur J Gallagher Foundation

Rolling Meadows, IL

The Arthur J Gallagher Foundation funds education, philanthropy and voluntarism, and human services, with a primary focus on Illinois, California, and New York. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10 to $100,000, with a median of $250. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

The Allstate Foundation

Northbrook, IL

The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.

Elks National Foundation Inc

Chicago, IL

The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans services, disaster relief, and community projects, primarily through Elks Lodges and state associations in communities across the United States where Elks live and work. Its 2025 grants had a median of $8,500, though amounts varied widely; the listed Beacon and Freedom Grants are limited to Elks Lodges. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Baxter International Foundation

Deerfield, IL

Baxter International Foundation funds healthcare access for underserved people, community programs, and STEM and other healthcare innovation, supporting nonprofits worldwide and especially in communities where Baxter operates. Its 2024 median grant was $212, though awards varied widely; it makes grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.

John D and Catherine T Macarthur

Chicago, IL

The foundation funds a broad range of work, including journalism, arts, Chicago communities, climate and clean energy, homelessness, human rights, and criminal justice reform. Its 2024 grants had a median of $160,000, with awards ranging from $450 to $21 million; funding is nationwide, with the largest shares going to New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. Application rules vary by program: some accept self-nominations or Letters of Inquiry, while others generally do not fund unsolicited proposals.