Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Polk Bros Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Established in 1988, it supports nonprofit organizations working to make Chicago a place where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Polk Bros Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Polk Bros Foundation Inc gave $19.3M across 568 grants in 2025 (avg $34K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $19,251,491
- -21.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 568
- -16.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $33,893
- -6.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $334,286,239
- +4.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (96% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Polk Bros Foundation Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests during its transition period, which ends in fall 2026. Its currently listed opportunities include targeted RFPs. For an RFP, applicants complete an eligibility checklist and submit a Letter of Inquiry; organizations invited to proceed submit a full proposal. Eligibility generally requires recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status and work in Chicago. The RFP pages specify their own eligibility details.
- Review Cycle
- No general deadline is stated; RFP timelines are provided with each opportunity.
- Deadline
- No general deadline is stated; RFP timelines are provided with each opportunity.
- Contact
Application contact: Evette Cardona
Mailing address: Polk Bros Foundation 20 W Kinzie St, Reet Suite 1110, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: (312) 527-4684
Website: https://polkbrosfdn.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Polk Bros. Foundation Grants
Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
RFP Focus: Emerging Strategies to Advance Shared Ownership Grant
Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
RFP Focus: Next Generation Power-Building Grant
Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Polk Bros Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Big Shoulders Fund ($275K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $2.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
3,556 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 2,415 grants of 3,556 (68%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation focuses on Chicago. In 2025, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois; the remaining reported shares went to New York (2%), Washington, D.C. (1%), California (1%), and Massachusetts (0%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 568 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Polk Bros Foundation Inc gives
- 84% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 41% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 107% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $19.3M (2025) to $32.5M (2022). In 2025 it made 568 grants totaling $19.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Immigrant Funders Collaborative Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $250,000 |
| Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $250,000 |
| Big Shoulders Fund Chicago, IL | Education | $250,000 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $250,000 |
| Navy Pier Inc Chicago, IL | Arts Access and Learning | $250,000 |
| Window to the World Communications Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $200,000 |
| Shriver Center on Poverty Law Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $180,000 |
| Erie Family Health Center Chicago, IL | Health | $170,000 |
| Chicago Community Loan Fund Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $160,000 |
| WBEZChicago Public Media Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $160,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $334,286,239 | $40,657,099 | $25,645,848 | $19,251,491 | 568 | $22,988,673 | $37,006,782 | $21,537,610 |
| 2024 | $319,274,988 | $24,483,353 | $29,902,676 | $24,504,571 | 676 | $28,042,902 | $20,129,884 | $20,197,898 |
| 2023 | $324,694,311 | $12,187,684 | $31,546,327 | $26,599,438 | 716 | $30,094,881 | $11,698,367 | $20,275,135 |
| 2022 | $344,052,954 | $53,285,119 | $38,368,521 | $32,493,316 | 778 | $35,645,625 | $51,185,459 | $22,362,961 |
| 2021 | $329,136,356 | $57,050,478 | $37,807,594 | $32,320,203 | 818 | — | $56,228,033 | $20,832,514 |
| 2020 | $309,874,989 | $6,718,046 | $28,723,514 | $24,470,225 | 6 | — | $6,793,007 | $19,920,447 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Polk Bros Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $21.5M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to make Chicago a place where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Its current grantmaking is organized around three connected goals: closing the life expectancy gap, building community wealth across generations, and fostering participatory, multiracial democracy. The Foundation describes its approach as supporting community-driven work to change the conditions shaping people’s lives.
Examples of 2025 grantees illustrate the range of organizations it supports. Big Shoulders Fund says it supports underserved schools providing quality, values-based education for Chicago children. The Greater Chicago Food Depository describes itself as Cook County’s nonprofit food bank working to end hunger with community-based partners. Erie Family Health Centers says it provides accessible, affordable health care, while the Shriver Center on Poverty Law says it advances laws and policies for racial and economic justice.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the Foundation made 568 grants totaling $19,251,491. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $250,000, with a median of $25,000. Recent annual grant totals were $24,504,571 across 676 grants in 2024 and $26,599,438 across 716 grants in 2023.
Among the largest reported 2025 awards were $250,000 each to Illinois Immigrant Funders Collaborative, Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, Big Shoulders Fund, Greater Chicago Food Depository, and Navy Pier Inc. Other large awards included $200,000 to Window to the World Communications, $180,000 to the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, and $170,000 to Erie Family Health Center.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Polk Bros Foundation Inc is led by Gillian Darlow, CEO & Assistant Secretary since 2022 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 12 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gillian Darlow
CEO & Assistant Secretary
CEO → CEO & Assistant Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$417K (2020) → $522K (2025)
Nancy Lewis
Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Snyder
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Connelly
Director
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Howard
Director
On filings since 2023
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jill Cutler
Director
On filings since 2024
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Hill
Vice President Investments, Administration & Assistant Treasurer
Vice President Investments → Vice President Investments, Operations & Assistant Treasurer, 2022
Vice President Investments, Operations & Assistant Treasurer → Vice President Investments, Administration & Assistant Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
37.5 hrs/week
$233K (2020) → $61K (2025)
James Fawley
Vice President Investments, Administration & Assistant Treasurer
New on the 2025 filing
37.5 hrs/week
$264K (2025)
Cherryl Thomas
Secretary
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sandra P. Guthman
Chair Emeritus
Chair → Chair Emeritus, 2023
On filings since 2020
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Multack
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roberto Herencia
Treasurer
On filings since 2022
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Howard Polk (2020–2024) — Director
- Former: Mary Dempsey (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Raymond Simon (2020–2021) — Vice Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $522K, to Gillian Darlow (CEO & Assistant Secretary). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Polk Bros Foundation Inc
How much does Polk Bros Foundation Inc give each year?
Polk Bros Foundation Inc gave $19.3M across 568 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $24.5M across 676 grants.
What is Polk Bros Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Polk Bros Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $33,893, across 568 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Polk Bros Foundation Inc give grants?
Polk Bros Foundation Inc gives mostly in Illinois: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (471 grants), New York, NY (15 grants), Washington, DC (8 grants) and Oak Park, IL (6 grants).
Does Polk Bros Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 568 grants with a stated purpose on Polk Bros Foundation Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Matching" (162 grants), "Strong Communities" (154 grants) and "Arts Access and Learning" (51 grants).
Who are Polk Bros Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Polk Bros Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Big Shoulders Fund ($275,000 across 2 grants), Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago ($255,000 across 2 grants) and Illinois Immigrant Funders Collaborative ($250,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 4% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Polk Bros Foundation Inc?
Polk Bros Foundation Inc reported $334.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $23.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $21.5M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Polk Bros Foundation Inc fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to make Chicago a place where all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Polk Bros Foundation Inc?
The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests during its transition period, which ends in fall 2026. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2020–2025.
Does Polk Bros Foundation Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS March 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 18, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS July 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 30, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 16, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Polk Bros Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Polk Bros Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 8, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/polk-bros-foundation-inc-morg_bdfcf07fc6f84fc0962f36dd2cf35a90
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366108293_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Polk Bros Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/polk-bros-foundation-inc-morg_bdfcf07fc6f84fc0962f36dd2cf35a90},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-08. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Polk Bros Foundation Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Polk Bros Foundation Inc down — hundreds of funders to go?