Peter & Thalia Anest Family Foundation

The Gardikes Family Foundation

Osprey, FL

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc

Chicago, IL

United Way of Metropolitan Chicago funds nonprofit work on basic needs and community-led efforts, including healthcare, housing, food assistance, early learning, safety, legal services, and workforce development across greater Chicago and the surrounding region. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,002 to $2,038,325, with a median of $25,000; the current Impact Grants cycle is closed to new applicants and limited to current partners, and the BridgeBuilders application is also closed.

Mary Lou Downs Foundation

Chicago, IL

The Mary Lou Downs Foundation supports a range of charitable organizations, including those serving children, people experiencing domestic violence, and older adults, with most funding going to Illinois. Its 2025 grants ranged from $4,000 to $14,000, with a median of $4,000; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

The Mericos Foundation

Pasadena, CA

The Mericos Foundation supports a range of charitable work, including youth development, mental health, food access, homelessness services, outdoor education, and ocean conservation, with most 2024 grant dollars going to California organizations. Its 100 grants ranged from $2,500 to $135,000, with a median of $18,500. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Iordanou Family Foundation

Marco Island, FL

The Medline Foundation

Northfield, IL

The Medline Foundation’s 2022 grants supported organizations addressing community needs such as education, cancer support, emergency services, and disability services, with most funding going to Illinois and additional grants across several states. Its 15 grants totaled $165,599, ranging from $1,000 to $52,000 (median $5,000). The 2022 filing described written applications but was marked as the foundation’s final return, so it does not establish a current application process.

The Lake County Community Foundation

Grayslake, IL

The Lake County Community Foundation funds nonprofits addressing basic needs and improving quality of life for Lake County residents, including work in food access, housing, health care, education, transportation, and legal support. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,500 to $230,829, with a median of $25,500. It accepts letters of inquiry for its Growing Communities grants; food-system and some other grants are by invitation.

George M Eisenberg Foundation

Arlington Heights, IL

The George M Eisenberg Foundation funds social assistance, including health care, rehabilitation, disability services, and youth programs, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Illinois and the rest to Minnesota. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,000 to $1,275,000, with a median of $5,000. It accepts requests from 501(c)(3) organizations by letter, due April 30 for consideration the following year.

The Northside Community Bank

Gurnee, IL

Essendant Charitable Foundation

Deerfield, IL

Abbott Fund

Abbott Park, IL

Abbott Fund supports health, community, emergency response, and employee-giving activities, with 2024 grants concentrated in Florida, Illinois, and California and additional programs in Tanzania and other countries. Its 62 grants in 2024 totaled $17.4 million, with a median grant of $50,000; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

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.