Well Told Grants

Nonprofits / Illinois

Who funds Chicago Public Library Foundation?

Chicago, Illinois · EIN 363480353

43 private foundations reported grants to Chicago Public Library Foundation in Chicago, Illinois totaling $1.7 million across 45 grants in tax years 2023 to 2025. The largest funder was The Andrew W Mellon Foundation, with $1.0 million.

From the funders' IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Foundations that fund Chicago Public Library Foundation

All 43 funders, by amount
FoundationPurpose givenGrantsAmount
The Andrew W Mellon Foundation
New York · 2024 · accepts applications
To support collection processing, digitization, and outreach and engagement activities for the vivian g. Harsh research collection and other black history-related holdings at the chicago public library1$1.0 million
Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Illinois · 2024 · accepts applications
Special Projects2$82,500
James P and Brenda S Grusecki Family Foundation
Illinois · 2025
General operating support1$50,000
Zell Family Foundation
Illinois · 2024
General support1$50,000
Kemper Educational and Charitable Fund
Illinois · 2024
Program support1$50,000
Hunter Family Foundation
Illinois · 2024
General support1$50,000
The Brinson Foundation
Illinois · 2024 · accepts applications
General operating support1$50,000
Susan & Robert Wislow Charitable Foundation
Illinois · 2025
General unrestricted charitable purpose1$48,500
Circle of Service Foundation
Illinois · 2024 · accepts applications
Match/discretionary2$40,000
Carolyn Eleanore Damon Fam Fdn
New Jersey · 2025
Unrestricted general1$25,943
The Bluhm Family Foundation
Illinois · 2024
To further the exempt purpose of the organization1$25,000
Patrick G and Shirley W Ryan Foundation
Illinois · 2024
General charitable operations1$25,000
Dr Scholl Foundation
Illinois · 2024 · accepts applications
Summer learning programs1$25,000
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Illinois · 2024 · accepts applications
General operating1$25,000
Jarvis Foundation
Illinois · 2025
To further the exempt purpose of the organization1$25,000
Bill Nygren Foundation
Illinois · 2024
Unrestricted1$17,500
Tawani Charitable Distribution Fund
Illinois · 2024
General support1$12,500
Union Pacific Foundation
Nebraska · 2025 · accepts applications
Culture & arts1$10,000
Carylon Julius and Marcie Hemmelstein Foundation
Illinois · 2024 · accepts applications
Education1$10,000
The Poetry Foundation
Illinois · 2024 · accepts applications
Special projects and opportunities grant1$5,000
Jerold A & Ruth L Hecktman Family Foundation
Illinois · 2025 · accepts applications
Unrestricted gift to charitable org1$5,000
John D and Alexandra Nichols Family Foundation
Illinois · 2025
Unrestricted1$5,000
Lloyd A Fry Foundation
Illinois · 2024 · accepts applications
In appreciation of the officers, board, staff, and volunteers1$5,000
Tate Family Foundation
Wisconsin · 2024
General fund1$5,000
Loewenberg Charitable Foundation
Illinois · 2024
Exempt purpose of organization1$2,500
Sidney Kohl Family Foundation
Florida · 2024
Charitable1$2,500
Kovler Family Foundation
Illinois · 2024 · accepts applications
Education-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.1$2,000
Draper and Kramer Foundation
Illinois · 2025
General1$1,505
Ed Uihlein Family Foundation
Illinois · 2024
General1$1,500
The Mary Curtis Horowitz Foundation
New Jersey · 2025
Educational funding1$1,500
Gavlin Family Foundation
Illinois · 2025
General assistance1$1,000
The Ruttenbergkagan Foundation
Illinois · 2025
Charitable purpose of recipient1$1,000
The Irving Harris Foundation
Illinois · 2024
General operating support1$1,000
MEB Charitable Foundation DBA Robbins-Berger Charitable Foundation
Illinois · 2024
Exempt purpose of organization1$1,000
Jpmorgan Chase Foundation
New York · 2025
Matching contribution (general operating support)1$775
Amazonsmile Foundation
Washington · 2023
General support1$643
Daniel and Gloria Kearney Foundation
Illinois · 2024
Unrestricted1$500
Metzner Family Foundation
Illinois · 2025
Unrestricted charitable contribution1$500
Hill Foundation for Families Living with
Illinois · 2025
general charitable1$500
Joan & James Shapiro Foundation Inc
Illinois · 2024
See above1$250
Jack & Sandra Guthman Fdn
Illinois · 2025
general operating support1$200
Retirement Research Foundation DBA RRF Foundation for Aging
Illinois · 2024 · accepts applications
General unrestricted exempt purpose of organization1$150
Irving and Adele Rosenberg Foundati
California · 2025 · accepts applications
Education1$50

Amounts are grants paid as each foundation reported them. Names are matched across filings, so a grant written under a different name for the same organization may be missing.

Using this list

A foundation that already gives to Chicago Public Library Foundation gives in its field and region, so the list doubles as a prospect list for similar organizations in Chicago. Open a foundation to see its application rules, typical grant and every other grant it paid.

Questions people ask

Who funds Chicago Public Library Foundation?

The Andrew W Mellon Foundation, Polk Bros Foundation Inc, James P and Brenda S Grusecki Family Foundation, Zell Family Foundation and Kemper Educational and Charitable Fund, and 38 more, according to their IRS Form 990-PF filings.

How much does Chicago Public Library Foundation get from foundations?

$1.7 million in 45 reported grants from 43 private foundations in tax years 2023 to 2025. Government grants and gifts from individuals are not included.

Which of these funders accept applications?

The Andrew W Mellon Foundation, Polk Bros Foundation Inc, The Brinson Foundation, Circle of Service Foundation and Dr Scholl Foundation say in their filings that they accept applications.

Other funded organizations in Chicago