Oak Park Area Arts Council

NCRC Community Development Fund Inc

Washington, DC

NCRC Community Development Fund supports affordable housing and homeownership, small businesses—especially minority-owned, women-owned, and low-income businesses—and certain nonprofit programs that provide capital or services to underserved communities. Its listed awards range from $5,000 to $50,000, though typical giving is not stated; it serves communities across the U.S., with some programs focused on Illinois. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Good Heart Work Smart Foundation

Oak Park, IL

The foundation supports a range of charitable organizations, including those focused on mental health, youth, education, domestic-violence services, hunger relief, and disability services. In 2024, it made 97 grants totaling about $1.76 million, with a median grant of $4,000; most funding went to Illinois, with some to California. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation

Oak Park, IL

The Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation funds nonprofits addressing community needs, with current Community Grants focused on youth and young adult mental and behavioral health; grants can support general operations or specific programs and projects. Community Grants are up to $20,000 per year, and the Foundation serves Oak Park, River Forest, and surrounding communities in western Cook County, Illinois.

The Chicago Community Trust

Chicago, IL

The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Tawani Charitable Distribution Fund

Chicago, IL

The TAWANI Charitable Distribution Fund supports education, history, cultural institutions and preservation, environmental initiatives, health, human rights, and gender and human sexuality, with most 2024 funding going to Illinois, especially the Chicago area. Its 2024 grants ranged from $192 to $1,553,000, with a median of $24,000. It funds preselected organizations by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation

Chicago, IL

The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation funds land conservation, arts organizations, and efforts to broaden narratives, primarily in the Chicago region and South Carolina Lowcountry. Its 2024 grants ranged from $60 to $235,500, with a median of $10,000; published arts-program grants range from $2,500–$13,500 in Chicago and $5,000–$25,000 in the Lowcountry. It accepts applications through an online system, but arts applicants are asked to contact program staff before applying.

Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust

Chicago, IL

The Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable Trust funds qualifying 501(c)(3) public charities whose work reflects its stated values, including supporting youth, older adults, health and well-being, disaster relief, education, and solutions to Chicago-area challenges. Recent grants ranged from $10,000 to $250,000, with a median of $45,000, and the Trust primarily supports organizations serving Chicago and Cook County, Illinois. It accepts unsolicited Letters of Inquiry; proposals are accepted only after it issues a Request for Proposal.

Alphawood Foundation

Chicago, IL

Alphawood Foundation supports nonprofits working in arts access, LGBTQ+ rights and health, communities of color, legal services and advocacy, and historic preservation, with a strong preference for organizations serving the Chicago metropolitan area. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,500 to $732,580, with a median of $36,080. It does not accept unsolicited requests, though organizations may submit information through its inquiry form.

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc

Chicago, IL

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago funds nonprofits addressing basic needs and community priorities such as health care, housing, food assistance, early learning, workforce development, and legal services across greater Chicago, including targeted support for Chicago’s South and West Sides and south suburbs. In 2025, grants ranged from about $5,000 to $2 million, with a median of $25,000. The stated 2026 Impact Grants process was limited to current partners, and the BridgeBuilders application was closed; no open unsolicited application process is stated.

Albert Goodstein Family Foundation

Chicago, IL

The Albert Goodstein Family Foundation supports arts and cultural institutions, Jewish organizations, universities, and groups providing food, social, health, and animal-welfare services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $60,000, with a median of $3,000, and primarily went to organizations in Illinois and Florida. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Weisman Family Foundation

Chicago, IL

Field Foundation of Illinois

Chicago, IL

The Field Foundation of Illinois funds arts and culture, resident-led community work, journalism and storytelling, and local leaders, primarily on Chicago’s South and West Sides. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though awards ranged from $300 to over $1.1 million; it accepts unsolicited applications for A Road Together during an annual window, while Community Investments is invitation-based and Leaders for a New Chicago works by nomination.