Sonja & F Conrad Fischer Foundation
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
14
-26.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$39K
+252.9% YoY
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
**
Ready to take the next step with Sonja & F Conrad Fischer Foundation?
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
Cities
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
| 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
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 122690Frequently 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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sonja & F Conrad Fischer Foundation'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 April 2026.
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