Who funds arts and culture in Illinois
From 2022 to 2025, 1,229 foundations and charities reported 7,397 grants to 994 arts and culture nonprofits in Illinois. The typical grant was $10,000.
The funders that paid the most of them: Ncrc Community Development Fund Inc (284), The Chicago Community Trust (200) and Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation (88).
From IRS grant records. Counts nonprofits with budgets under $5,000,000.
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The 15 funders that paid the most arts and culture nonprofits in Illinois
| Funder | Nonprofits paid | Typical grant | Latest year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ncrc Community Development Fund Inc Washington, DC | 284 | $20,000 | 2023 |
| The Chicago Community Trust Chicago, IL | 200 | $24,420 | 2023 |
| Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation Chicago, IL | 88 | $8,500 | 2024 |
| Field Foundation of Illinois Inc Chicago, IL | 73 | $25,000 | 2024 |
| John D & Catherine T Macarthur Foundation Chicago, IL | 45 | $50,000 | 2024 |
| Jpmorgan Chase Foundation New York, NY | 40 | $1,000 | 2024 |
| Polk Bros Foundation Inc Chicago, IL | 33 | $25,000 | 2024 |
| Lloyd a Fry Foundation Chicago, IL | 29 | $2,500 | 2023 |
| Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc Charlotte, NC | 27 | $500 | 2023 |
| Iff Chicago, IL | 25 | $75,000 | 2024 |
| Crossroads Fund Chicago, IL | 25 | $10,000 | 2023 |
| Illinois Humanities Council Incorporated Chicago, IL | 25 | $10,000 | 2024 |
| United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc Chicago, IL | 24 | $6,000 | 2024 |
| Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL | 23 | $13,716 | 2024 |
| Allstate Foundation Northbrook, IL | 23 | $1,000 | 2024 |
Recent grants
- Ncrc Community Development Fund Inc paid Paramount Arts Centre Inc $250,000 in 2023. Purpose: Illinois coronavirus fiscal recovery funds.
- The Chicago Community Trust paid 3Arts Inc $373,000 in 2023. Purpose: General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes.
- Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation paid Chicago Cultural Alliance $52,500 in 2024. Purpose: Filipino american historical society of chicago.
- Field Foundation of Illinois Inc paid Alt Space Chicago $100,000 in 2024. Purpose: Operating - funding for ongoing operations of the organization.
- John D & Catherine T Macarthur Foundation paid Latinos Progresando $500,000 in 2024. Purpose: In support of the excellerator fund.
- Jpmorgan Chase Foundation paid Telugu Assoc of Greater Chicago $18,960 in 2024. Purpose: Matching contribution (general operating support).
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Other causes in Illinois
- Who funds food banks and food pantries in Illinois (303 funders)
- Who funds homeless shelters and services in Illinois (221 funders)
- Who funds affordable housing in Illinois (282 funders)
- Who funds animal rescue and shelters in Illinois (449 funders)
- Who funds mental health in Illinois (445 funders)
- Who funds disability services in Illinois (194 funders)
- Who funds domestic violence shelters and services in Illinois (212 funders)
- Who funds job training and employment in Illinois (297 funders)
- Who funds legal aid in Illinois (162 funders)
- Who funds community development in Illinois (696 funders)
Arts and culture in other states
Questions people ask
Who gives the most grants to arts and culture in Illinois?
By the number of nonprofits paid from 2022 to 2025, the leading funders were Ncrc Community Development Fund Inc (284), The Chicago Community Trust (200), Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation (88). The count in parentheses is how many arts and culture nonprofits in Illinois each one paid.
How big is a typical grant to arts and culture in Illinois?
The median grant was $10,000 across 7,397 grants. Half were smaller and half were larger. Each funder's own typical grant is in the table above.
Do these funders accept applications?
Not always. IRS records show who a funder paid, not whether it takes new applicants. Open the funder's website and read its guidelines before you reach out.
Where does this data come from?
From grants reported to the IRS on Form 990 Schedule I and Form 990-PF for 2022 to 2025, matched to each recipient's IRS record. It counts arts and culture nonprofits with budgets under $5,000,000, by their IRS cause code. Donor-advised fund sponsors are left out.