The a Montgomery Ward Foundation
The A Montgomery Ward Foundation is a private foundation based in Dallas, Texas. Established in 1959 by Marjorie Montgomery Ward Baker, it supports charitable institutions providing educational and cultural programming for current and future residents of Chicago and surrounding communities.
The a Montgomery Ward Foundation at a glance
In short: The a Montgomery Ward Foundation gave $683K across 56 grants in 2025 (avg $12K), mostly in Illinois. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $683,359
- +1.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 56
- +3.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,203
- -2.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $14,589,251
- +1.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (15 of 56, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (99% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The a Montgomery Ward Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing directs applicants to the grant application website for forms and materials and identifies public charities as eligible. The foundation lists April 15 and October 15 as application deadlines.
- Review Cycle
- April 15 and October 15.
- Deadline
- April 15 and October 15.
- Contact
Application contact: Susan Boin
Mailing address: 110 N Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606-1511
Phone: (312) 828-3603
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The a Montgomery Ward Foundation
Who The a Montgomery Ward Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Associated Colleges of Illinois ($63K). Together the top 10 received $282K.
Grant Size Distribution
286 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 279 grants of 286 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated focus is Chicago and surrounding communities. In 2025, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 1% to recipients in Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 56 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The a Montgomery Ward Foundation open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 15 of 56 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 32% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+5%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $650K (2022) to $756K (2023). In 2025 it made 56 grants totaling $683K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Associated Colleges of Illinois Chicago, IL | Scholarships | $62,500 |
| Museum of Science & Industry Chicago, IL | Fire Shutter Replace Proj | $40,000 |
| IWC Children's Clinic Oak Park, IL | Replace Aging Computers | $35,899 |
| The Field Museum of Natural History Chicago, IL | Public Prog Thru Sue Ling | $25,000 |
| Window to the World Communications Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General | $25,000 |
| Wings Program Inc Palatine, IL | Suburban Safehouse Window | $24,460 |
| Helping Hand Center Countryside, IL | Classroom Safety/Access | $23,500 |
| Avenues to Independence Park Ridge, IL | Accessible Minivan | $19,000 |
| Housing Opportunities & Maintenance Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General | $15,000 |
| KAA - Kids Above All Illinois Chicago, IL | Housing Support for | $12,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The a Montgomery Ward 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $14,589,251 | $1,212,047 | $1,014,102 | $683,359 | 56 | $831,207 | $1,038,488 | $879,815 |
| 2024 | $14,327,674 | $494,035 | $965,885 | $672,534 | 54 | $807,720 | $337,503 | $829,344 |
| 2023 | $14,762,266 | $508,262 | $1,052,822 | $755,932 | 65 | $888,835 | $410,963 | $799,841 |
| 2022 | $15,264,404 | $2,351,321 | $1,005,717 | $650,351 | 59 | $797,786 | $2,155,484 | $894,750 |
| 2021 | $14,215,004 | $1,235,968 | $995,630 | $694,880 | 52 | — | $1,072,297 | $848,022 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The a Montgomery Ward Foundation reported a distributable amount of $880K 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 stated mission is to support and strengthen charitable institutions that provide quality educational and cultural programming in Chicago and surrounding communities. Its 2025 grants included support for scholarships, museum programming, and projects involving facilities, accessibility, and services.
Among its grantees, Associated Colleges of Illinois says it supports independent Illinois colleges and universities and underrepresented students through scholarships, emergency financial aid, mentoring, and college-to-career support. WINGS Program says it provides housing, integrated services, education, and advocacy to end domestic violence. Helping Hand Center says it provides care and education to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Avenues to Independence says it supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through personalized support, advocacy, and community engagement.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 56 grants totaling $683,359. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $62,500, with a median of $10,000. Its largest award was $62,500 to Associated Colleges of Illinois for scholarships. Other notable grants included $40,000 to the Museum of Science & Industry for a fire-shutter replacement project, $35,899 to IWC Children’s Clinic to replace aging computers, and $25,000 each to the Field Museum of Natural History for public programming and Window to the World Communications for unrestricted general support.
The foundation’s 2024 filing states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It identifies public charities as eligible and directs applicants to the foundation’s grant application website for forms and materials.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Bank of America N.A., Jack Hutchings, and Richard Oloffson as co-trustees.
The a Montgomery Ward Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bank of America N A
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$113K (2021) → $125K (2025)
Jack Hutchings
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
$58K (2021) → $61K (2025)
Richard Oloffson
Co-Trustee
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
$58K (2021) → $61K (2025)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $125K, to Bank of America N A (Co-Trustee). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The a Montgomery Ward Foundation
How much does The a Montgomery Ward Foundation give each year?
The a Montgomery Ward Foundation gave $683K across 56 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $673K across 54 grants.
What is The a Montgomery Ward Foundation's typical grant size?
The a Montgomery Ward Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $12,203, across 56 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The a Montgomery Ward Foundation that year got $11K on average.
Where does The a Montgomery Ward Foundation give grants?
The a Montgomery Ward Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (36 grants), Park Ridge, IL (3 grants), Oak Park, IL (2 grants) and Des Plaines, IL (2 grants).
Does The a Montgomery Ward Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 30% of The a Montgomery Ward Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 56) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The a Montgomery Ward Foundation's largest grantees?
The a Montgomery Ward Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Associated Colleges of Illinois ($62,500), Museum of Science & Industry ($40,000) and IWC Children's Clinic ($35,899), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The a Montgomery Ward Foundation?
The a Montgomery Ward Foundation reported $14.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $831K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $880K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The a Montgomery Ward Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to support and strengthen charitable institutions that provide quality educational and cultural programming in Chicago and surrounding communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The a Montgomery Ward Foundation?
The filing directs applicants to the grant application website for forms and materials and identifies public charities as eligible. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The a Montgomery Ward Foundation's EIN?
The a Montgomery Ward Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2417437. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The a Montgomery Ward Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
George M Eisenberg Foundation
Arlington Heights, IL
The foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations in areas including health care, disability services, youth services, and hunger relief, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Illinois and the rest to Minnesota. Its 2024 grants had a median of $5,000, though awards ranged from $1,000 to $1,275,000. It accepts requests by letter rather than a formal application; requests are due by April 30 for consideration the following calendar year.
Assets
$39.8M
Grants
150
Total Given
$4.0M
Circle of Service Foundation
Chicago, IL
The foundation funds community services, education, Jewish community, and medical research, with grantmaking concentrated in Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois, though it also funds organizations elsewhere. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000 and ranged from $50 to about $1.74 million; it accepts unsolicited pre-applications for community services and for Jewish community requests in Cook or Lake County, but not for the other stated categories or out-of-area Jewish community requests.
Assets
$592.0M
Grants
637
Total Given
$37.0M
Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
Polk Bros Foundation funds community-driven Chicago nonprofits working to close the life expectancy gap, build community wealth, and foster participatory, multiracial democracy. Recent grants ranged from $100 to $250,000, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests during its transition period, which ends in fall 2026; it currently offers targeted RFPs.
Assets
$334.3M
Grants
568
Total Given
$19.3M
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
Chicago, IL
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago funds nonprofits addressing basic needs and community priorities such as health care, housing, food assistance, early learning, workforce development, and legal services across greater Chicago, including targeted support for Chicago’s South and West Sides and south suburbs. In 2025, grants ranged from about $5,000 to $2 million, with a median of $25,000. The stated 2026 Impact Grants process was limited to current partners, and the BridgeBuilders application was closed; no open unsolicited application process is stated.
Assets
$48.8M
Grants
331
Total Given
$22.8M
Communities Foundation of Texas Inc
Dallas, TX
Communities Foundation of Texas funds a broad range of community needs, including health, education, housing, and community development, primarily in North Texas and across Texas. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $18,800, though amounts varied widely; nearly all opportunities are by invitation, with some specific programs open for applications.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
2,209
Total Given
$209.2M
More similar funders
More Funders in Texas
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The a Montgomery Ward Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-a-montgomery-ward-foundation-morg_49c314845fd34b47b83ff12829b18269
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_362417437_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The a Montgomery Ward Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-a-montgomery-ward-foundation-morg_49c314845fd34b47b83ff12829b18269},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 The a Montgomery Ward 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.
The a Montgomery Ward Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?