Who funds food banks and food pantries in Illinois
From 2022 to 2025, 303 foundations and charities reported 994 grants to 151 food banks and pantries in Illinois. The typical grant was $6,662.
The funders that paid the most of them: Northern Illinois Food Bank (26), Greater Chicago Food Depository (15) and Forefront (7).
From IRS grant records. Counts nonprofits with budgets under $5,000,000.
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The 15 funders that paid the most food banks and pantries in Illinois
| Funder | Nonprofits paid | Typical grant | Latest year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Illinois Food Bank Geneva, IL | 26 | $2,749 | 2024 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository Chicago, IL | 15 | $4,100 | 2024 |
| Forefront Chicago, IL | 7 | $75,000 | 2023 |
| The Chicago Community Trust Chicago, IL | 7 | $12,860 | 2023 |
| Edward Jones Foundation Saint Louis, MO | 6 | $275 | 2024 |
| Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL | 5 | $50,000 | 2024 |
| Jpmorgan Chase Foundation New York, NY | 5 | $300 | 2024 |
| The Baxter Foundation Deerfield, IL | 4 | $35 | 2024 |
| United Way of Knox County Indiana Vincennes, IN | 4 | $10,000 | 2024 |
| United Way of Will County Joliet, IL | 4 | $12,000 | 2024 |
| Arthur J Gallagher Foundation Rolling Meadows, IL | 4 | $110 | 2024 |
| Dupage Community Foundation Downers Grove, IL | 4 | $17,200 | 2024 |
| Assyrian Universal Alliance Foundation Inc Lincolnwood, IL | 4 | $1,566 | 2023 |
| Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc Charlotte, NC | 4 | $630 | 2023 |
| Galesburg Community Foundation Galesburg, IL | 4 | $9,120 | 2025 |
Recent grants
- Northern Illinois Food Bank paid Elmhurst Yorkfield Food Pantry $20,000 in 2024. Purpose: Feed the hungry,incr. capacity.
- Greater Chicago Food Depository paid New Hope Community Food Pantry $19,200 in 2024. Purpose: Distribute to the hungry.
- Forefront paid Adelante Center for Entrepreneurship $150,000 in 2023. Purpose: Capacity building/general support.
- The Chicago Community Trust paid Just Roots $90,000 in 2023. Purpose: General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes.
- Edward Jones Foundation paid Giving Hope Olney Food Pantry $500 in 2024. Purpose: Food, agriculture and nutrition.
- Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago paid Maot Chitim of Greater Chicago $96,595 in 2024. Purpose: Grants from donor advised funds- operating support.
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Other causes in Illinois
- 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)
- Who funds community development in Illinois (696 funders)
Food banks and food pantries in other states
Questions people ask
Who gives the most grants to food banks and food pantries in Illinois?
By the number of nonprofits paid from 2022 to 2025, the leading funders were Northern Illinois Food Bank (26), Greater Chicago Food Depository (15), Forefront (7). The count in parentheses is how many food banks and pantries in Illinois each one paid.
How big is a typical grant to food banks and food pantries in Illinois?
The median grant was $6,662 across 994 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 food banks and pantries with budgets under $5,000,000, by their IRS cause code. Donor-advised fund sponsors are left out.