Sonja & F Conrad Fischer Foundation

CHICAGO, IL EIN: 36-6941059

The Sonja & F Conrad Fischer Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 1991. Designated as a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a grantmaking foundation supporting nonprofit organizations primarily in the Chicago area and across the United States.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

—

Annual Giving

$553K

+160.0% YoY

Grant Count

-26.3% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$39K

+252.9% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation does not maintain a published mission statement. However, its grantmaking reflects interests in:

Arts and culture, with emphasis on theater
Education
Human services
Children and youth

The foundation provides general operating support and project support to its grantees.

Grantmaking

The foundation is open to new applicants. Specific application deadlines and detailed submission requirements are not documented in available sources.

Grant Range

approximately $18,400

Average Grant

approximately $18,400

Review Cycle

and detailed submission requirements are not documented in available sources.

How to Apply

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation supports initiatives across multiple regions of the United States, including:

Chicago, Illinois (primary focus area)
Illinois, Michigan, and Massachusetts
Additional funding in Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C.

Grant Distribution by State

Illinois $1.8M (75%)

Michigan $298K (12%)

Colorado $250K (10%)

New York $20K (1%)

Massachusetts $19K (1%)

District of Columbia $16K (1%)

California $2K (0%)

Idaho $500 (0%)

+1 more states

States

California Colorado District of Columbia Idaho Illinois Massachusetts Michigan Missouri New York

Cities

BOSTONCAMBRIDGECHICAGOChicagoDEERFIELDDENVEREVANSTONGLENCOEHILLSDALEKALAMAZOOKANSAS CITYNEW YORKSPRINGFIELDSTANFORDWASHINGTONWASHINGTON DCWHITE PLAINSWILMETTEWINNETKA

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of December 2024:

Total assets: $9,405,969
Total revenue: $1,853,523
Total expenses: $557,340
Net income: $1,296,183
Total liabilities: $0

Financial Ratios:

Expense ratio: 32.1% of total revenue spent on programs

Revenue

Expenses

Qualifying Distributions

Net Investment Income

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

106 grants across all recorded years

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation ($125,000), Kalamazoo College ($120,000), Joffrey Ballet ($100,000).

Recipient	Purpose	Amount
CATO INSTITUTE WASHINGTON DC, DC	GENERAL PURPOSE	$4,000
DEERFIELD ACADEMY DEERFIELD, MA	GENERAL PURPOSE	$3,000
KALAMAZOO COLLEGE KALAMAZOO, MI	GENERAL PURPOSE	$120,000
THE GILMORE KALAMAZOO, MI	GENERAL PURPOSE	$45,000
JOFFREY BALLET CHICAGO, IL	GENERAL PURPOSE	$100,000
RAY OF HOPE CANCER FOUNDATION DENVER, CO	GENERAL PURPOSE	$125,000
SPECIAL OLYMPICS WASHINGTON, DC	GENERAL PURPOSE	$500
SALVATION ARMY CHICAGO, IL	GENERAL PURPOSE	$2,500
HARVARD COLLEGE CAMBRIDGE, MA	GENERAL PURPOSE	$1,000
CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER CHICAGO, IL	GENERAL PURPOSE	$16,500

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

Trustees:

F Conrad Fischer
Sonja Fisher

Both trustees serve without compensation.

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

Name	Title	Hours	Compensation
F CONRAD FIScHER	TRUSTEE	2	—
SONJA FIScHER	TRUSTEE	2	—

Recent News & Activity

Recent developments and announcements

2024

The foundation continues active grantmaking, with 2024 representing a year of significant grant distribution. The foundation maintains current tax-exempt status and files annual Form 990-PF returns with the IRS.

Sonja & Conrad Fischer Foundation Charitable Trust Utad 122690

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Sonja & F Conrad Fischer Foundation fund?

The foundation does not maintain a published mission statement. However, its grantmaking reflects interests in: • Arts and culture, with emphasis on theater • Education • Human services • Children and youth The foundation provides general operating support and project support to its grantees.

How do I apply for a grant from Sonja & F Conrad Fischer Foundation?

**Grant Activity:** • Made 30 grants in 2024 • Total giving in 2024: $552,500 • Average grant size: approximately $18,400 • Grant range: $500–$125,000 **Recent Grantees (2024):** • Ray of Hope Cancer Foundation ($125,000) • Kalamazoo College ($120,000) • Joffrey Ballet ($100,000) • Chicago Shakespeare Theater **Application Process:** The foundation is open to new applicants. Specific application deadlines and detailed submission requirements are not documented in available sources.

Where does Sonja & F Conrad Fischer Foundation make grants?

The foundation supports initiatives across multiple regions of the United States, including: • Chicago, Illinois (primary focus area) • Illinois, Michigan, and Massachusetts • Additional funding in Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C.

What size grants does Sonja & F Conrad Fischer Foundation award?

In 2024, Sonja & F Conrad Fischer Foundation awarded 14 grants totaling $553K — an average of about $39K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.

What is Sonja & F Conrad Fischer Foundation's EIN?

Sonja & F Conrad Fischer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6941059. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.