Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Polk Bros Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 1959. The foundation emerged from the success of the Polk Bros. retail furniture and appliance chain, a Chicago institution that operated for over 55 years before closing in 1992. Over the past 35 years, the foundation has invested more than $586 million in 3,900+ Chicago nonprofit organizations, establishing itself as one of Chicago's largest private funders.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$24.5M
-7.9% YoY
Grant Count
676
-5.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
-2.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is working to make Chicago a place where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Historical funding priorities have included:
- Education
- Arts and creative endeavors
- Historic preservation
- Journalism
- Human and social services
- Reproductive health
- Youth homelessness prevention and solutions
Grantmaking
The foundation made 676 grants in 2024 and has supported 667 unique organizations across its history. Recent grantees have included Greater Chicago Food Depository, Big Shoulders Fund, and Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago.
Grant Range
$36,000–$53,000
Average Grant
$36,000–$53,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation concentrates its grantmaking in Chicago, Illinois. Historically, grantmaking has reached organizations across 25 states, with primary focus on Illinois, New York, and Louisiana, which account for 92% of all grants.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending August 2024:
- Total Assets: $319,274,988
- Total Revenue: $24,483,353
- Total Expenses: $29,902,676
- Net Assets: $319,274,988
- Total Liabilities: $0
As of Fiscal Year Ending August 2025:
- Total Assets: $334,286,239
- Total Revenue: $40,657,099
- Total Expenses: $25,645,848
- Net Income: $15,011,251
- Charitable Disbursements: $22,988,673
Revenue Sources (FY 2025):
- Interest Revenue: $475,915
- Dividends: $5,554,147
- Sales of Assets: $34,627,037
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
206 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Polk Bros. Foundation Grants
Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
RFP Focus: Emerging Strategies to Advance Shared Ownership Grant
Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
RFP Focus: Next Generation Power-Building Grant
Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Greater Chicago Food Depository ($250,000), Shriver Center on Poverty Law ($180,000), Forefront ($115,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| OneGoal - Chicago Chicago, IL | Education | $40,000 |
| Chicago Workforce Funders Alliance Chicago, IL | Special Initiative | $75,000 |
| Supportive Housing Providers Association Springfield, IL | Strong Communities | $20,000 |
| Pegasus Theatre Chicago Chicago, IL | Arts Access and Learning | $20,000 |
| International Children's Media Center Chicago, IL | Arts Access and Learning | $20,000 |
| Musical Arts Institute Chicago, IL | Arts Access and Learning | $25,000 |
| Red Clay Dance Company Chicago, IL | Arts Access and Learning | $25,000 |
| Reading Between the Lines Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $17,500 |
| Ladies of Virtue Chicago, IL | Strong Families | $15,000 |
| Black Researchers Collective Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Personnel:
- Gillian Darlow, Chief Executive Officer
- Katie Rondeau Weinheimer, Chief of Staff
- Amy Hill, Vice President Investments and Operations and Assistant Treasurer
- James Fawley, Vice President of Investments and Administration
- Anna Lee, Vice President of Programs
The foundation employs 12 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been actively engaged in addressing youth homelessness in Chicago, including the establishment of a Youth Homelessness Innovation Fund that has awarded grants to organizations working on stable housing solutions for Chicago youth.
Young people will soon play a more central role in preventing and ending youth homelessness in ChicagoThe foundation released three grant opportunities to support community-driven efforts and help shape future grantmaking as part of its strategic transition period.
Polk Bros. Foundation Awards $110,000 Grant to PILI Over Two Years - Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI)In its messaging, the foundation has emphasized its commitment to listening deeply and building for both current and future needs in Chicago.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Polk Bros Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation is working to make Chicago a place where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Historical funding priorities have included: • Education • Arts and creative endeavors • Historic preservation • Journalism • Human and social services • Reproductive health • Youth homelessness prevention and solutions
How do I apply for a grant from Polk Bros Foundation Inc?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Average grant size: $36,000–$53,000 • Grant range: $25,000–$500,000 • Median grant: $25,000 • Annual giving: Approximately $24.5–$26.6 million **Recent Activity:** The foundation made 676 grants in 2024 and has supported 667 unique organizations across its history. Recent grantees have included Greater Chicago Food Depository, Big Shoulders Fund, and Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago. **Application Status:** As of fall 2024, the foundation announced new str…
Where does Polk Bros Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation concentrates its grantmaking in Chicago, Illinois. Historically, grantmaking has reached organizations across 25 states, with primary focus on Illinois, New York, and Louisiana, which account for 92% of all grants.
What size grants does Polk Bros Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Polk Bros Foundation Inc awarded 676 grants totaling $24.5M — an average of about $36K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Polk Bros Foundation Inc's EIN?
Polk Bros Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6108293. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Polk Bros Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated June 2026.
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