Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund
The Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund is a private foundation based in Oak Park, Illinois. It supports nonprofit organizations benefiting economically challenged or marginalized communities, with most grantmaking in metropolitan Chicago and Wisconsin.
Key facts about Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund
In short: Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund gave $1.1M across 100 grants in 2024 (avg $11K), mostly in Illinois. 22% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990 filing.
- EIN
- 39-0991972
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990 filing, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,094,060
- Grants made (2024)
- 100
- Average grant
- $10,941
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 22% first-time grantees (22 of 100, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (53% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Deadline
- The website lists October 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.
Data from IRS Form 990 filing, 2024; 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.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990 filing · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+15.7% YoY
Grant Count
100
+8.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
+6.5% YoY
Is Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund open to new grantees?
22%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 22 of 100 grantees (22%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $11K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+7%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Fund’s guidelines describe support for organizations benefiting economically challenged or marginalized communities, through general operating and program support. Its social-services interests include housing and homelessness assistance, food and anti-hunger programs, and employment programs. Health and human services include access to affordable health care, mental health and dental services, and support for disabled people and older adults. Environmental interests include wildlife conservation, preservation of natural areas, and public-interest environmental law.
The Fund’s 2024 grantees illustrate a range of supported work. For example, Greater Chicago Food Depository describes its mission as ending hunger through a network of community organizations and individuals. Sarah’s Circle says it provides housing, necessities, and supportive services to help women end homelessness. Literacy Services of Wisconsin describes partnering with adults on basic education and skills training, while Christopher House describes providing education and family support to help children and families succeed.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Fund made 100 grants totaling $1,094,060. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $57,500, with a median of $10,000. The largest listed awards included $57,500 to Ithemba Ngemfundo Inc. for building support for a preschool in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and $40,560 to Maryknoll Sisters for St. Mary’s Hospice and Eco Farm in San Marcos, Guatemala. Other notable grants included $25,000 each to DePaul University College of Law for its Summer Public Interest Law Internship Program, Greater Chicago Food Depository for general operations, Second Nurture for general operations, and Seton Hill University for the Nancy Smith O’Brien Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Review Cycle
. An LOI does not guarantee an invitation to submit a full proposal. Proposals require a formal invitation, except that eligible current community grantees may reapply one year after their previous grant without an LOI. Discretionary grants are selected by directors, are not open to proposals from organizations, and require Board approval. Beginning in 2026, LOIs and proposals are not accepted by email.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund
Ready to take the next step with Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Fund’s general community grantmaking focuses on metropolitan Chicago and Wisconsin. It says most Wisconsin grants are awarded in the Milwaukee area, including Racine and Kenosha counties. Discretionary grants may support organizations outside those areas, including organizations operating abroad. In 2024, 53% of grant dollars went to Illinois recipients and 33% to Wisconsin recipients; smaller shares went to New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 100 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $889K (2020) to $1.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 100 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ithemba Ngemfundo Inc ($58K). Together the top 10 received $282K.
Grant Size Distribution
477 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 476 grants of 477 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ithemba Ngemfundo Inc Madison, WI | Building Support for Preschool in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | $57,500 |
| Maryknoll Sisters Maryknoll, NY | St. Mary's Hospice and Eco Farm in San Marcos, Guatemala | $40,560 |
| DePaul University College of Law Chicago, IL | Summer Public Interest Law Internship Program | $25,000 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository Inc Chicago, IL | General Operations | $25,000 |
| Second Nurture Glastonbury, CT | General Operations | $25,000 |
| Seton Hill University Greensburg, PA | Nancy Smith O'Brien Endowed Scholarship Fund | $25,000 |
| GiveWell Oakland, CA | General Operations | $23,500 |
| Environmental Law and Policy Center of the Midwest Chicago, IL | General Operations | $20,000 |
| Ignite Chicago, IL | General Operations | $20,000 |
| Literacy Services of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI | General Operations | $20,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Grant total | Number of grants |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,094,060 | 100 |
| 2023 | $945,500 | 92 |
| 2022 | $989,250 | 98 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Janet S Cudahy as president/director and Richard D Cudahy Jr as treasurer/director. Directors listed were James Bailey, Molly Cudahy, Patrick G Cudahy, Barbara Holtz, Kristi E Leswing, Kit Cudahy, Tia Cudahy, and Dan Cudahy. The Fund’s website describes its Board as including family and non-family members.
Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund is led by Janet S. Cudahy, President & Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 11 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Janet S. Cudahy
President & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Barbara Holtz
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Dan Cudahy
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
James Bailey
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kit Cudahy
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kristi E. Leswing
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Michaela Cudahy
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Molly Cudahy
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Patrick G. Cudahy
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Richard D. Cudahy Jr.
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Tia Cudahy
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
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.
Contact
Mailing address: 1010 Lake Street 200, Oak Park, IL 60301
Phone: (312) 641-5776
Website: https://cudahyfund.org
Frequently asked questions about Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund
How much does Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund give each year?
Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund gave $1.1M across 100 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. In 2023 it gave $946K across 92 grants.
What is Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund's typical grant size?
Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $10,941, across 100 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Organizations receiving their first grant from Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund that year got $10K on average.
Where does Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund give grants?
Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund gives mostly in Illinois: 53% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing went to recipients there. The next largest states were Wisconsin (33%) and New York (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (49 grants), Milwaukee, WI (24 grants), Evanston, IL (5 grants) and West Allis, WI (2 grants).
Does Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 61% of Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (61 of 100) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (3 grants).
Who are Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund's largest grantees?
Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Ithemba Ngemfundo Inc ($57,500), Maryknoll Sisters ($40,560) and DePaul University College of Law ($25,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990 filing. Together they received 11% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund fund?
The Fund’s guidelines describe support for organizations benefiting economically challenged or marginalized communities, through general operating and program support. Its social-services interests include housing and homelessness assistance, food and anti-hunger programs, and employment programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund?
In 2024, the Fund made 100 grants totaling $1,094,060. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $57,500, with a median of $10,000. The largest listed awards included $57,500 to Ithemba Ngemfundo Inc. for building support for a preschool in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, and $40,560 to Maryknoll Sisters for St. Mary’s Hospice and Eco Farm in San Marcos, Guatemala.
What is Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund's EIN?
Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-0991972. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Patrick and Anna M Cudahy Fund accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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