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Foundations / Illinois

1883 Fund

Preselected recipients only Chicago, Illinois · EIN 272998843

1883 Fund is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $175,000 in 2 grants; the typical grant was $87,500 and the largest $100,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.

Giving in 2025 was down from $392,000 the year before.

100% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$234,0001$5.6 million
2024$392,0001$5.9 million
2025$175,0002$6.7 million

How to apply

1883 Fund says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What 1883 Fund funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 2 states, the most to Wisconsin.

StateGrantsAmount
Wisconsin1$100,000
Florida1$75,000

Grants paid in 2025

All 2 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
United Way of Door County Inc
Sturgeon Bay, WI
General$100,000
Matheson History Museum
Gainesville, FL
General$75,000

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does 1883 Fund accept grant applications?

No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.

How much does 1883 Fund give?

$175,000 in tax year 2025, across 2 grants, with a typical grant of $87,500.

Who runs 1883 Fund?

Its 2025 filing lists JP Morgan Chase Bank NA (Trustee) and Robert W Howe (Director).

What does 1883 Fund fund?

Based on its grants, mainly human services and arts and culture.

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