Robert R McCormick Foundation
The Robert R. McCormick Foundation is a Chicago-based public charity that invests in organizations working to build thriving communities and expand opportunities for individuals. Its stated priorities include early childhood education, journalism and government accountability, military service members and veterans, and community development.
Robert R McCormick Foundation at a glance
In short: Robert R McCormick Foundation gave $106.1M across 255 grants in 2024 (avg $416K), mostly in Illinois. 28% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $106,051,378
- +53.4% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 255
- +8.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $415,888
- +41.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $1,752,906,507
- +7.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (71 of 253, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (97% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Robert R McCormick Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
Funding is by invitation only; the Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests, including unsolicited letters of inquiry.
- Contact
Mailing address: 205 N Michigan Avenue Suite 4300, Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (630) 260-8151
Website: https://mccormickfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
6 open opportunities from Robert R McCormick Foundation
Chicago Blackhawks Community Fund
Robert R McCormick Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Chicago Bulls Community Assist Fund
Robert R McCormick Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Chicago White Sox Community Fund
Robert R McCormick Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Robert R McCormick Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Cantigny Foundation ($33.5M). Together the top 10 received $64.9M.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($4,855,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,341 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 583 grants of 1,341 (43%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s website describes a concentration on Chicago’s South and West Sides, particularly Englewood and Little Village, as well as work through the United Way Neighborhood Network. It also says it supports promising state-, regional-, and citywide initiatives that benefit communities throughout the area. In 2024, 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois; the reported remainder went to recipients in New York, Washington, D.C., Massachusetts, and Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 255 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Robert R McCormick Foundation open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 71 of 253 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $154K; repeat grants $523K. How we count
Medians: $30K first-time, $60K repeat.
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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $46.2M (2021) to $106.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 255 grants totaling $106.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cantigny Foundation Wheaton, IL | General Operating Support | $33,451,760 |
| United Way-McCormick Partnership for Strong Neighborhoods Inc Chicago, IL | United Way Neighborhood Network Initiative and Catalytic Investments | $8,246,000 |
| National Louis University Wheeling, IL | Accelerate u, the mccormick institute for early childhood, the undergraduate college at national louis university and matching gifts | $5,398,000 |
| Enlace Chicago Chicago, IL | 21st century schools emergency support, expanded programming for new arrival youth and families in little village, general operating support, new life/enlace violence prevention and intervention collaborative and the little village youth safety network, and restore and expand after school programs in chicago | $4,715,000 |
| Metropolitan Family Services Chicago, IL | Capital support for mpowerment house, metropolitan peace initiatives, communities partnering 4 peace (cp4p), youth intervention with highest risk, midway domestic violence services for youth and families, restore and expand after school programs in chicago, general operating support and matching gifts | $3,572,000 |
| 2 grants to individuals Recipients not named | — | $4,825,000 |
| Teamwork Englewood Chicago, IL | Community engagement manager for the community safety coordinating center in englewood and general operating support | $2,720,000 |
| Big Shoulders Fund Chicago, IL | Civic education pilot, college access and success program, productive play in pre-k and k expansion, matching gifts and sponsorship | $2,024,208 |
| Xchange Chicago Inc Chicago, IL | Capital Support for the Xchange Innovation Hub | $2,000,000 |
| Northwestern Memorial Foundation Chicago, IL | Challenge Grant for Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital | $1,500,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Robert R McCormick Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,752,906,507 | $105,305,792 | $114,636,034 | $106,051,378 | 255 | $88,272,216 |
| 2023 | $1,638,068,225 | $97,553,776 | $78,215,597 | $69,149,890 | 235 | $82,969,119 |
| 2022 | $1,467,739,432 | $64,881,149 | $102,934,841 | $93,399,259 | 241 | $51,504,786 |
| 2021 | $1,700,505,100 | $106,935,451 | $62,059,717 | $46,177,788 | 239 | $98,758,915 |
| 2020 | $1,522,880,168 | $43,489,096 | $91,509,150 | $72,823,109 | 371 | $32,107,212 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to invest in organizations building thriving communities where all individuals have access to the opportunities they need to succeed. Its 2024 filing describes grantmaking to advance educational attainment and economic prosperity in local communities, improve early childhood education, augment investigative journalism and government accountability, and support military service members, veterans, and their families. The filing also describes support for charitable organizations through sponsorships, table and ticket purchases, and other donations, as well as investments in data collection and program evaluation.
The Foundation’s website identifies early childhood education, journalism, military and veterans, and thriving communities as topic areas. For early childhood education, it describes work to improve access to quality education from birth through kindergarten, support educators and leaders, and provide safe learning environments.
Examples of the kinds of organizations it supports include Enlace Chicago, which says it builds the capacity of Little Village stakeholders and works to address barriers to economic and social access, and Teamwork Englewood, which says it engages in joint ventures, direct investments, and advocacy to support positive community development. The Institute for Latino Progress describes its work as providing education, training, and employment services to Latino immigrants and their families. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 255 grants totaling $106,051,378. Grant amounts ranged from $6,668 to $33,451,760, with a median grant of $50,000.
Among the largest reported grants were:
The Foundation’s partnership programs match contributions at 50 cents for every dollar raised, and the Foundation says it pays campaign and administrative expenses. Listed programs include the Chicago Bulls Community Assist Fund, the Chicago Blackhawks Community Fund, and the Ernst & Young Workforce Development Fund. The Blackhawks fund lists middle-school youth development, post-secondary supports, workforce and personal development for opportunity youth, and veterans among its focus areas; it requires established 501(c)(3) agency-based programs and excludes programs that would financially benefit the Chicago Blackhawks. The Bulls fund lists education, community investment, health and wellness, and youth opportunity, and excludes programs that would financially benefit the Chicago Bulls. The Ernst & Young collaboration focuses on workforce development and technology career training and placement on Chicago’s South Side, with Xchange Chicago as its primary grantee.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Dennis FitzSimons as chairman of the board; Lee Henderson, Mary K. Lawler, William McClean, Ruthellyn Musil, Celena Roldan, and Scott Smith as directors; Timothy Knight as president and chief executive officer; Carla Beal as CIO and treasurer; and Andres Torres as vice president of strategy, planning and operations and secretary.
Robert R McCormick Foundation is led by Timothy Knight, President & Chief Executive Officer on every filing since 2020; all 16 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Timothy Knight
President & Chief Executive Officer
On filings since 2020
28 hrs/week
$346K (2020) → $566K (2024)
Dennis Fitzsimons
Chairman of the Board
Director & Chairman of the Board → Chairman of the Board, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$35K (2020) → $28K (2024)
Anna Laubach
Director & Special Initiatives
Program Director → Director & Public Safety Portfolio, 2021
Director & Public Safety Portfolio → Director & Special Initiatives, 2023
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$179K (2020) → $192K (2024)
Celena Roldan
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$35K (2020) → $28K (2024)
Ruthellyn Musil
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$35K (2020) → $28K (2024)
Scott Smith
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$35K (2020) → $28K (2024)
William McClean
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
$28K (2021) → $28K (2024)
Jose Rodriguez
Director & Community Capital Portfolio
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$150K (2022) → $193K (2024)
Lee Henderson
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
$21K (2022) → $28K (2024)
Bryan Stokes
Director & Education Portfolio
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$193K (2023) → $199K (2024)
Katya Nuques
Director & Little Village Portfolio
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$185K (2023) → $190K (2024)
Mary K. Lawler
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
$28K (2024)
Mirlene Dossous
Director & Englewood Portfolio
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$186K (2024)
Oscar Regalado
Vp-Human Resources
Director of Human Resources → Senior Director of Human Resources, 2022
Senior Director of Human Resources → Vp-Human Resources, 2024
On filings since 2020
24 hrs/week
$121K (2020) → $169K (2024)
Andres Torres
Vp-Strategy, Planning, Ops. & Secretary
Senior Director Strat, Plan & Secretary → Vp-Strategy, Planning, Ops. & Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2022
24 hrs/week
$44K (2022) → $183K (2024)
Carla Beal
CIO & Treasurer
Chief Investment Officer → CIO & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
32 hrs/week
$43K (2022) → $463K (2024)
Former officers (22)
- Former: David Granat (2020–2023) — CIO
- Former: Kimberely Tyler (2022–2023) — CFO
- Former: Donald Cooke (2020–2022) — Senior Advisor to CEO
- Former: John W. Madigan (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Megan Everett (2020–2022) — Director & Veterans Portfolio
- Former: Donald Wycliff (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Emanuel Johnson (2022) — Senior Program Officer & Englewood Portfolio
- Former: Tonya Ehrenhaft (2022) — Executive Assistant
- Former: Cornelia Grumman (2020–2021) — Director of Education Program
- Former: Louis J. Marsico Jr. (2020–2021) — Senior Vice President of Operations
- Former: Philip Zepeda (2020–2021) — Director of Communications
- Former: Akaose Kachikwu (2021) — Director of It
- Former: Courtney Steck (2021) — Director of Org. · Filing note: Term ended 042021
- Former: Kim Tyler (2021) — CFO & Treasurer
- Former: David Hiller (2020) — President & Chief Executive Officer · Filing note: Thru 32320
- Former: Don Wycliff (2020) — Director
- Former: Nakita Burrell (2020) — Director of Finance & Administration
- Former: Rebekah Levin (2020) — Director of Evaluation
- Former: Shawn Healy (2020) — Program Director
- Former: Sheau-Ming Ross (2020) — Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer · Filing note: Thru 3620
- Former: Will McLean (2020) — Director
- Former: William Koll (2020) — Program Director · Filing note: Thru 11620
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $566K, to Timothy Knight (President & Chief Executive Officer). 16 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Robert R McCormick Foundation
How much does Robert R McCormick Foundation give each year?
Robert R McCormick Foundation gave $106.1M across 255 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $69.1M across 235 grants.
What is Robert R McCormick Foundation's typical grant size?
Robert R McCormick Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $415,888, across 255 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Robert R McCormick Foundation that year got $154K on average.
Where does Robert R McCormick Foundation give grants?
Robert R McCormick Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (182 grants), New York, NY (6 grants), Oak Park, IL (5 grants) and Wheaton, IL (3 grants).
Does Robert R McCormick Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 35% of Robert R McCormick Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (90 of 255) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Sponsorship" (19 grants), "Matching Gifts" (10 grants) and "Matching Gifts and Sponsorship" (5 grants).
Who are Robert R McCormick Foundation's largest grantees?
Robert R McCormick Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Cantigny Foundation ($33,451,760), United Way-McCormick Partnership for Strong Neighborhoods Inc ($8,246,000) and National Louis University ($5,398,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($4,855,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Robert R McCormick Foundation?
Robert R McCormick Foundation reported $1.8B in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $105.3M.
What does Robert R McCormick Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to invest in organizations building thriving communities where all individuals have access to the opportunities they need to succeed. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Robert R McCormick Foundation?
Funding is by invitation only; the Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests, including unsolicited letters of inquiry. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Robert R McCormick Foundation's EIN?
Robert R McCormick Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3689171. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Robert R McCormick Foundation 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 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Robert R McCormick Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/robert-r-mccormick-foundation-morg_3947134d185f4c8bbf90cd7dd41bd593
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363689171_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Robert R McCormick Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/robert-r-mccormick-foundation-morg_3947134d185f4c8bbf90cd7dd41bd593},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Robert R McCormick Foundation'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.
Robert R McCormick Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?