Square One Foundation
Square One Foundation is a family foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, that supports work advancing equitable access to educational opportunity, democratic processes, and economic justice for Chicagoans. Its website describes a role that extends beyond grantmaking to fostering conversations and collaboration.
Square One Foundation at a glance
In short: Square One Foundation gave $7.2M across 77 grants in 2024 (avg $94K), mostly in Illinois. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $7,200,500
- +38.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 77
- +5.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $93,513
- +31.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $62,500
- Total assets
- $76,454,986
- -18.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (24 of 77, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (83% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Square One Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Its website says it is not accepting new applications in 2026 and that only current grantees are eligible to apply. The renewal process described is for current grantees whose grant period ends in Fall 2026; it requests a short renewal application, an existing grant proposal prepared for another funder, a current budget, and a previous fiscal year audit and/or unaudited financial statement. The application deadline of September 4, 2026, has passed.
- Review Cycle
- September 4, 2026 (past).
- Deadline
- September 4, 2026 (past).
- Contact
Mailing address: 701 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60654
Phone: (312) 666-5500
Website: https://squareonefoundationchicago.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Square One Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Jewish United Fund (JUF) ($1.5M). Together the top 10 received $3.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
272 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 138 grants of 272 (51%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated mission is focused on Chicagoans, and its website describes its program work as strengthening organizations and bringing together people from across the city. In 2024, 83% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois; the other reported recipient-state shares were New York 6%, Texas 4%, California 2%, and Washington, DC 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 77 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Square One Foundation open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 24 of 77 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $113K; repeat grants $85K. How we count
Medians: $51K first-time, $68K repeat.
- 65% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 186% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 127% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF 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 $1.9M (2020) to $7.2M (2024). In 2024 it made 77 grants totaling $7.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Jewish United Fund (JUF) Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $1,500,000 |
| University of Chicago Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $590,000 |
| William J Brennan Jr Center for Justice Inc New York, NY | General Purpose | $300,000 |
| National Louis University Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $207,500 |
| The Election Center Katy, TX | General Purpose | $200,000 |
| City Bureau Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $137,500 |
| Palenque LSNA Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $135,000 |
| Civic News Company New York, IL | General Purpose | $127,500 |
| Chicago United for Equity Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $100,000 |
| KidsFirst Chicago Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Square One Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $76,454,986 | $16,078,065 | $9,381,955 | $7,200,500 | 77 | $7,588,830 | $6,484,940 | $5,952,871 |
| 2023 | $94,180,706 | $11,122,397 | $6,978,054 | $5,194,418 | 73 | $5,560,321 | $4,204,664 | $5,063,795 |
| 2022 | $89,757,341 | $9,511,569 | $6,455,686 | $4,810,200 | 57 | $5,061,916 | $1,038,352 | $5,265,459 |
| 2021 | $86,701,458 | $15,674,257 | $3,754,323 | $2,515,000 | 28 | $2,655,848 | $8,558,894 | $5,112,644 |
| 2020 | $74,781,524 | $10,714,206 | $2,886,839 | $1,921,500 | 37 | — | $3,941,027 | $3,849,577 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Square One Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.0M for 2024 — 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 realize equitable access to educational opportunity, democratic processes, and economic justice for all Chicagoans.” Its three program areas are Education, Democracy, and Inclusive & Just Economy. The stated goals include students attaining proficiency in core academic skills; people participating in and benefiting from accountable, inclusive democratic systems; and people benefiting from an equitable economy that enables their full participation.
The foundation says it prefers to build relationships with small- to medium-size organizations and emphasizes participation, innovation, collaboration, and learning. Examples of grantee work, as described by the grantees themselves, include the University of Chicago’s communication and creation of knowledge; National Louis University’s educational opportunities for learners; and The Election Center’s support for improvement in election administration and voter registration. Chicago United for Equity describes its work as connecting and amplifying people’s power to build a just, equitable, and inclusive city.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation awarded 77 grants totaling $7,200,500. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $1,500,000, with a median grant of $62,500. The largest awards included $1,500,000 to Jewish United Fund (JUF), $590,000 to the University of Chicago, $300,000 to William J Brennan Jr Center for Justice Inc, and $207,500 to National Louis University. The filing lists the purposes for these grants as general purpose.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Priscilla Kersten as President, Benjamin Kersten as Vice President, and Steven A. Kersten as Secretary-Treasury.
Square One Foundation is led by Priscilla Kersten, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Priscilla Kersten
President
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven A. Kersten
Secretary Treasury
Sec'y & Treasurer → Secretary Treasury, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Benjamin Kersten
Vice President
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Susan Goldenberg (2020–2021) — Assistant Sec'y
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.
Frequently asked questions about Square One Foundation
How much does Square One Foundation give each year?
Square One Foundation gave $7.2M across 77 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.2M across 73 grants.
What is Square One Foundation's typical grant size?
Square One Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $62,500, and its average grant was $93,513, across 77 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Square One Foundation that year got $113K on average.
Where does Square One Foundation give grants?
Square One Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (58 grants), New York, NY (3 grants), Washington, DC (2 grants) and Boston, MA (2 grants).
Does Square One Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Square One Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (77 of 77) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Square One Foundation's largest grantees?
Square One Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Jewish United Fund (JUF) ($1,500,000), University of Chicago ($590,000) and William J Brennan Jr Center for Justice Inc ($300,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Square One Foundation?
Square One Foundation reported $76.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $7.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Square One Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is “to realize equitable access to educational opportunity, democratic processes, and economic justice for all Chicagoans.” Its three program areas are Education, Democracy, and Inclusive & Just Economy. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Square One Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Square One Foundation's EIN?
Square One Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6068835. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Square One 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-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Square One Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Square One Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/square-one-foundation-morg_c77ad6e01d7e411d9db6efc90dca4f18
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366068835_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Square One Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/square-one-foundation-morg_c77ad6e01d7e411d9db6efc90dca4f18},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Square One 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.
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