Pentimenti Productions NFP

Field Foundation of Illinois

Chicago, IL

The Field Foundation funds arts and culture, community-led investment, journalism and storytelling, and local leaders working to build community power, primarily in Chicago’s South and West Sides. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though awards ranged from $300 to more than $1.1 million. Some programs accept applications or requests, while Community Investments is invitation-based; Journalism & Storytelling requests are considered on a rolling basis.

The Chicago Community Trust

Chicago, IL

The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts 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.

Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation

Chicago, IL

The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation funds land conservation, arts organizations and artists, and projects that broaden narratives through stories and collections, with a focus on the Chicago region and South Carolina Lowcountry. Its 2024 grants ranged from $60 to $235,500, with a median of $10,000; arts grants are typically $2,500–$13,500 in Chicago and $5,000–$25,000 in the Lowcountry. It accepts applications through its online system and does not limit grants to preselected organizations.

Grand Victoria Foundation

Chicago, IL

Grand Victoria Foundation funds community power-building and systemic racial justice work, especially Black-led efforts and organizations accountable to Black communities and other communities of color. It focuses on Illinois and gave a median grant of $25,000 in 2024, with awards ranging from $300 to $555,150. It accepts requests through a Letter of Inquiry when the process is open, but says it is paused until October 2026.

Koziol Family Foundation

Chicago, IL

IFF

Chicago, IL

IFF supports nonprofits and community organizations with facility-related needs, including equipment purchases and rehabilitation, as well as work in education, housing, health care, child care, food access, and job training. Its 2025 grants ranged from $6,114 to $297,441, with a median of $50,000, and went mainly to organizations in Illinois, Michigan, Kansas, Missouri, and Wisconsin. The profile does not state whether IFF accepts unsolicited requests.

Walter and Karla Goldschmidt Foundation

Glencoe, IL

The Walter and Karla Goldschmidt Foundation supports higher education, food assistance, local journalism, and arts and cultural organizations, with most 2025 grant dollars going to Illinois and additional support in several other states. Its 151 grants in 2025 ranged from $200 to $253,500, with a median of $3,000. It accepts written requests, with no specified application form, required materials, or deadline.

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.

Crossroads Fund Inc

Chicago, IL

Crossroads Fund supports grassroots, community-led organizing for racial, social, and economic justice in the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana. Its grants typically range from $6,000 to $100,000, with a median of $15,000. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Chicago Media Project

Chicago, IL

Chicago Media Project funds documentary films and related impact work, particularly stories highlighting historically excluded cultures and experiences; its past film funding focused on U.S. projects, with special attention to Chicago. In 2022, its 11 grants averaged about $18,500, though it reported no grants in 2023 or 2024. It does not accept unsolicited film-funding requests, and Impact Grant Fund submissions are by invitation only.

The Joyce Foundation

Chicago, IL

The Joyce Foundation funds policy research, development, and advocacy advancing racial equity and economic mobility, across areas including education, the environment, democracy, culture, gun violence prevention and justice reform, and journalism. Its grants primarily support work in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin; the 2024 median grant was $80,000, with awards ranging from $685 to $1 million. It accepts online letters of inquiry year-round, but formal proposals are by invitation only.