The Kensington Square Foundation
The Kensington Square Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its 2025 filing lists grants to charitable organizations in Illinois, Connecticut, and Arizona, including cultural, educational, and social-service organizations.
The Kensington Square Foundation at a glance
In short: The Kensington Square Foundation gave $1.1M across 24 grants in 2025 (avg $47K), mostly in Illinois. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,117,000
- -17.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 24
- -14.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $46,542
- -3.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $22,500
- Total assets
- $1,320,798
- -25.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 24, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (83% 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 Kensington Square Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 55 East Pearson St Unit 3301, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 952-0775
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Kensington Square Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Window to the World Communications Inc (WTTW) ($275K). Together the top 10 received $915K.
Grant Size Distribution
132 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 84 grants of 132 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 83% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 9% to Connecticut, 8% to Arizona, and 1% to Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Kensington Square Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 24 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. How we count
- 83% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 54% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 666% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2025) to $2.4M (2022). In 2025 it made 24 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Window to the World Communications Inc (WTTW) Chicago, IL | General Support | $275,000 |
| Court Theatre Chicago, IL | General Support | $170,000 |
| Misericordia Chicago, IL | General Support | $100,000 |
| Yale University New Haven, CT | General Support | $100,000 |
| Steppenwolf Theatre Chicago, IL | General Support | $95,000 |
| Our Lady of Tepeyac High School Chicago, IL | General Support | $50,000 |
| Old St Patrick's Church Chicago, IL | General Support | $40,000 |
| ASU Foundation Tempe, AZ | General Support | $35,000 |
| Catholic Charities of Chicago Chicago, IL | General Support | $25,000 |
| Depaul College Prep High School Chicago, IL | General Support | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Kensington Square 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 | $1,320,798 | $707,719 | $1,149,122 | $1,117,000 | 24 | $1,117,000 | $681,569 | $167,654 |
| 2024 | $1,762,201 | $914,301 | $1,358,067 | $1,347,000 | 28 | $1,347,000 | $907,303 | $218,174 |
| 2023 | $2,205,967 | $429,564 | $1,753,996 | $1,729,500 | 39 | $1,729,500 | $420,616 | $253,345 |
| 2022 | $3,530,399 | $945,556 | $2,459,550 | $2,432,000 | 27 | $2,432,000 | $939,571 | $345,506 |
| 2021 | $5,044,393 | $1,051,148 | $1,906,653 | $1,885,000 | 14 | $1,885,000 | $1,045,828 | $462,715 |
| 2020 | $5,899,898 | $813,565 | $1,479,112 | $1,456,000 | 11 | — | $807,162 | $426,777 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Kensington Square Foundation reported a distributable amount of $168K 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 does not state a mission in the available information. Its grants include support for organizations working in areas such as health care, music, education, employment, hospice care, and the arts. For example, Rush University Medical Center describes its mission as improving health through patient care, education, research, and community partnerships. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association says its mission is to enrich, inspire, and transform lives through music, community engagement, and education. The Cara Program describes its work as building an inclusive economy through employment pathways.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 24 grants totaling $1,117,000. Grant amounts ranged from $7,000 to $275,000, with a median of $22,500. The largest awards included $275,000 to Window to the World Communications (WTTW), $170,000 to Court Theatre, $100,000 each to Misericordia and Yale University, and $95,000 to Steppenwolf Theatre. Each was designated for general support.
In 2024, the foundation gave $15,000 to Rush University Medical Center, $12,000 to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and $10,000 each to Children at the Crossroads Foundation and The Cara Program.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Richard C. Carr as president-director and Ann K. Carr as secretary-director.
The Kensington Square Foundation is led by Richard C. Carr, President-Director on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Richard C. Carr
President-Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ann K. Carr
Secretary-Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 The Kensington Square Foundation
How much does The Kensington Square Foundation give each year?
The Kensington Square Foundation gave $1.1M across 24 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.3M across 28 grants.
What is The Kensington Square Foundation's typical grant size?
The Kensington Square Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $22,500, and its average grant was $46,542, across 24 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Kensington Square Foundation give grants?
The Kensington Square Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Connecticut (9%) and Arizona (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (16 grants), Phoenix, AZ (3 grants) and Tempe, AZ (2 grants).
Does The Kensington Square Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Kensington Square Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (24 of 24) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Kensington Square Foundation's largest grantees?
The Kensington Square Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Window to the World Communications Inc (WTTW) ($275,000), Court Theatre ($170,000) and Misericordia ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 49% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Kensington Square Foundation?
The Kensington Square Foundation reported $1.3M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $168K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Kensington Square Foundation fund?
The foundation does not state a mission in the available information. Its grants include support for organizations working in areas such as health care, music, education, employment, hospice care, and the arts. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Kensington Square Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Kensington Square Foundation's EIN?
The Kensington Square Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-7291505. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Kensington Square 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 3, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Kensington Square Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Illinois
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
John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation
Chicago, IL
The MacArthur Foundation funds work advancing a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, including climate solutions, criminal justice, journalism, technology, and Chicago. In 2024, its grants had a median of $160,000, though awards ranged widely; it generally does not accept unsolicited requests, with possible exceptions for specific open calls or proposals that meet program guidelines.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
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
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
$89.3M
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans’ services, and charitable projects through Elks Lodges and state associations across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median size of $10,000, though awards varied widely; the profile describes application routes for specific Lodge and scholarship programs but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$954.1M
Grants
1,536
Total Given
$36.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Kensington Square Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-kensington-square-foundation-morg_734cf5a91d0e4c3a861e84226d69b3a3
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_367291505_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Kensington Square Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-kensington-square-foundation-morg_734cf5a91d0e4c3a861e84226d69b3a3},
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 Kensington Square 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 Kensington Square Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?