Who funds community development in Illinois
From 2022 to 2025, 696 foundations and charities reported 2,608 grants to 349 community development nonprofits in Illinois. The typical grant was $16,266.
The funders that paid the most of them: The Chicago Community Trust (75), United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc (15) and Polk Bros Foundation Inc (12).
From IRS grant records. Counts nonprofits with budgets under $5,000,000.
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The 15 funders that paid the most community development nonprofits in Illinois
| Funder | Nonprofits paid | Typical grant | Latest year |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Chicago Community Trust Chicago, IL | 75 | $35,000 | 2023 |
| United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc Chicago, IL | 15 | $6,000 | 2024 |
| Polk Bros Foundation Inc Chicago, IL | 12 | $25,000 | 2024 |
| Forefront Chicago, IL | 11 | $75,000 | 2024 |
| Builders Initiative Chicago, IL | 10 | $100,000 | 2024 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository Chicago, IL | 10 | $2,950 | 2024 |
| Local Initiatives Support Corporation New York, NY | 10 | $80,000 | 2024 |
| Jpmorgan Chase Foundation New York, NY | 10 | $1,058 | 2024 |
| Northwestern Memorial Healthcare Chicago, IL | 9 | $25,000 | 2024 |
| Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc Charlotte, NC | 9 | $232 | 2023 |
| Circle of Service Foundation Chicago, IL | 9 | $12,500 | 2024 |
| Crossroads Fund Chicago, IL | 9 | $45,000 | 2023 |
| Womens Business Development Center Chicago, IL | 8 | $15,000 | 2024 |
| John D & Catherine T Macarthur Foundation Chicago, IL | 7 | $50,000 | 2024 |
| Role Model Movement Inc Nfp Chicago, IL | 7 | $5,700 | 2024 |
Recent grants
- The Chicago Community Trust paid Duo Development $750,000 in 2023. Purpose: General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes.
- United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc paid Resilience Partners Nfp $148,950 in 2024. Purpose: Program support.
- Polk Bros Foundation Inc paid Jewish Council on Urban Affairs $50,000 in 2024. Purpose: Strong communities.
- Forefront paid Dekalb County Community Gardens $78,000 in 2024. Purpose: Capacity building/general support.
- Builders Initiative paid Community Desk Chicago $250,000 in 2024. Purpose: To provide general operating support.
- Greater Chicago Food Depository paid Kenwood Oakland Community Organization $15,451 in 2024. Purpose: Distribute to the hungry.
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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 arts and culture in Illinois (1229 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)
Community development in other states
Questions people ask
Who gives the most grants to community development in Illinois?
By the number of nonprofits paid from 2022 to 2025, the leading funders were The Chicago Community Trust (75), United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc (15), Polk Bros Foundation Inc (12). The count in parentheses is how many community development nonprofits in Illinois each one paid.
How big is a typical grant to community development in Illinois?
The median grant was $16,266 across 2,608 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 community development nonprofits with budgets under $5,000,000, by their IRS cause code. Donor-advised fund sponsors are left out.