Who funds homeless shelters and services in Illinois
From 2022 to 2025, 221 foundations and charities reported 697 grants to 47 homeless shelters and service groups in Illinois. The typical grant was $10,000.
The funders that paid the most of them: The Chicago Community Trust (12), All Chicago Making Homelessness History (9) and Northwestern Memorial Healthcare (6).
From IRS grant records. Counts nonprofits with budgets under $5,000,000.
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The 15 funders that paid the most homeless shelters and service groups in Illinois
| Funder | Nonprofits paid | Typical grant | Latest year |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Chicago Community Trust Chicago, IL | 12 | $24,500 | 2023 |
| All Chicago Making Homelessness History Chicago, IL | 9 | $96,611 | 2024 |
| Northwestern Memorial Healthcare Chicago, IL | 6 | $20,000 | 2024 |
| Robert R Mccormick Foundation Chicago, IL | 5 | $15,000 | 2024 |
| Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc Charlotte, NC | 4 | $200 | 2023 |
| Polk Bros Foundation Inc Chicago, IL | 4 | $27,500 | 2024 |
| Illinois Public Health Institute Chicago, IL | 4 | $60,000 | 2025 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository Chicago, IL | 4 | $1,625 | 2023 |
| W P & H B White Foundation Northfield, IL | 3 | $21,500 | 2025 |
| Declaration of TR Establishing the Cuore E Mani Foundation Wilmington, DE | 3 | $10,000 | 2024 |
| Pfizer Foundation Inc New York, NY | 3 | $120 | 2024 |
| John & Susan Dewan Foundation Chicago, IL | 3 | $2,500 | 2024 |
| Arie and Ida Crown Memorial Chicago, IL | 3 | $100,000 | 2024 |
| George M Eisenberg Foundation for Charities Arlington Hts, IL | 3 | $3,000 | 2024 |
| United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc Chicago, IL | 2 | $35,140 | 2024 |
Recent grants
- The Chicago Community Trust paid Center for Changing Lives $100,000 in 2023. Purpose: General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes.
- All Chicago Making Homelessness History paid The Boulevard of Chicago Inc $561,361 in 2024. Purpose: Case management.
- Northwestern Memorial Healthcare paid Lazarus House $25,000 in 2024. Purpose: Shelter services for homeless individuals.
- Robert R Mccormick Foundation paid Care for Friends $22,500 in 2024. Purpose: Grocery delivery program for students.
- Bank of America Charitable Foundation Inc paid Care for Friends $5,000 in 2023. Purpose: Program/operating support.
- Polk Bros Foundation Inc paid Center for Changing Lives $44,000 in 2024. Purpose: Strong communities.
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Other causes in Illinois
- Who funds food banks and food pantries in Illinois (303 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)
Homeless shelters and services in other states
Questions people ask
Who gives the most grants to homeless shelters and services in Illinois?
By the number of nonprofits paid from 2022 to 2025, the leading funders were The Chicago Community Trust (12), All Chicago Making Homelessness History (9), Northwestern Memorial Healthcare (6). The count in parentheses is how many homeless shelters and service groups in Illinois each one paid.
How big is a typical grant to homeless shelters and services in Illinois?
The median grant was $10,000 across 697 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 homeless shelters and service groups with budgets under $5,000,000, by their IRS cause code. Donor-advised fund sponsors are left out.