March 02, 2023 Funding for Fathers: A Chicago-based Family Foundation Shines a Light on Fatherhood March 02, 2023/ Wendy Paris Despite a growing body of evidence that men and boys are struggling, particularly in communities of color, there’s not much funding out there in support of fathers. Here’s a rare example of a big, multi-year donation. Read More
February 02, 2023 Getting to Know the J. Christopher and Anne N. Reyes Foundation’s Philanthropy in Chicago February 02, 2023/ Alyssa Ochs Although the J. Christopher and Anne N. Reyes Foundation is headquartered in Florida, this funder focuses much of its grantmaking on the city of Chicago. Here are the top things to know about its Chicago-area giving.Read More
December 19, 2022 Is Tutoring the Answer to COVID Learning Loss? These Funders Want to Find Out December 19, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen Pandemic-related learning loss threatens to widen the achievement gap. Arnold Ventures and other funders are backing an ambitious research project to determine if and how high-intensity tutoring can help.Read More
December 07, 2022 Backed by a Billionaire Couple, a Chicago Nonprofit Takes a Community-Led Approach to Youth Equity December 07, 2022/ Ade Adeniji Funded by Mark and Kimbra Walter, Chicago Beyond draws upon the work of veteran principal Liz Dozier. The group is investing millions in community-led initiatives, while challenging top-down dynamics in K-12 philanthropy.Read More
December 07, 2022 To Advance Health Equity, a Big Hospital Gift Targets the Earliest Childhood Experiences December 07, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen Real estate investor John Schreiber and his wife Kathleen are long-time Chicago philanthropists. A recent $25 million gift underscores a more recent priority for the couple: early childhood, including conditions before birth.Read More
December 02, 2022 A Conversation with Jeffreen Hayes, Executive Director of Chicago-Based Arts Funder Threewalls December 02, 2022/ Mike Scutari Dr. Jeffreen Hayes heads the Chicago-based arts organization and grantmaker Threewalls. We chatted with her to discuss her career trajectory, why she’s optimistic about the state of philanthropy, and more.Read More
November 22, 2022 The Obama Foundation Is Picking up Steam. Who’s on Board and Where Is Funding Headed So Far? November 22, 2022/ Ade Adeniji The Obama Foundation is in the process of raising $1.6 billion — and starting to roll out some big programs. Here, we outline who’s backing the foundation, who’s running the show, and what it’s funding so far.Read More
November 02, 2022 "Downright Dangerous." How a Donor Couple is Tackling the Thorny Issue of Wealth Inequality November 02, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen James Stone is one of a growing number of wealthy donors highly concerned about inequality. The James M. and Cathleen D. Stone Foundation is supporting research examining the forces that create and perpetuate it.Read More
October 27, 2022 How the Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation Gives in the Chicago Area October 27, 2022/ Alyssa Ochs The Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation is a Chicago-based funder interested in community safety, the arts and education. Here’s how it gives and what sets it apart from other Pritzker philanthropies.Read More
October 20, 2022 The Logan Legacy: Three Brothers Carry on the Philanthropic Work Their Parents Started October 20, 2022/ Celia Wexler With roots in Chicago, the Logan brothers — Richard, Jonathan and Daniel — all have their own foundations. They’re each carrying on and evolving a long legacy of giving that began with their late parents, David and Reva Logan.Read More
September 22, 2022 A Major Funder Is Overhauling How it Backs Local Arts Groups. What Will That Mean for Grantees? September 22, 2022/ Mike Scutari Part of an ongoing effort to be more equitable, MacArthur is transitioning to a participatory regranting partnership to support Chicago’s small to midsized arts organizations. How will grantees be impacted? Read More
August 11, 2022 How the Frank E. Payne and Seba B. Payne Foundation Supports Chicago August 11, 2022/ Alyssa Ochs Here are some details about how the Frank E. Payne and Seba B. Payne Foundation awards grants in its home city of Chicago.Read More
June 10, 2022 How the Osa Foundation Backs Education in Chicago June 10, 2022/ Alyssa Ochs Robin and Jack Lavin created the Osa Foundation in 2005, and they exclusively focus on education in Chicago. Here’s what local grantseekers should know about this funder and seeking support.Read More
June 01, 2022 A Look at the Giving Circles and Councils of the Chicago Foundation for Women June 01, 2022/ Alyssa Ochs The Chicago Foundation for Women has three giving circles and three giving councils. In this article, we’re taking a close look at all of them to guide Chicago grantseekers.Read More
April 13, 2022 A Quick Look at an Anti-Poverty Funder Focused on Chicago April 13, 2022/ Alyssa Ochs While Alex Ross’s New Coast Foundation does not have a website and maintains a low public profile, here is what we know about this funder and how it gives locally in Chicago.Read More
April 08, 2022 This Chicago Journalism Merger Is a Breakthrough for Local News—and Funders Are Taking Note April 08, 2022/ Katherine Don Long-beleaguered and previously bankrupt, the storied Chicago Sun-Times has gotten a new lease on life by merging with a nonprofit public media company. Here’s how philanthropy helped make that happen.Read More
March 29, 2022 A Funder’s COVID-Era Effort to Support Black Principals Finds a Permanent Home, New Leader March 29, 2022/ Connie Matthiessen During COVID, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies created an innovative network to provide support and community for Black school principals. Now, that network has a new home and brand new leadership.Read More
March 14, 2022 For Fundraisers in STEM Education, Both New and Familiar Challenges March 14, 2022/ Katy Harris The past two years have brought new challenges for STEM education fundraisers, and have highlighted existing ones, including the need to reach under-represented groups. Several fundraisers weigh in on the state of the field.Read More
February 25, 2022 What the Negaunee Foundation Prioritizes in Chicago February 25, 2022/ Alyssa Ochs The Colburn family are frequent donors to the arts, among other causes. Here’s an overview of how their philanthropic vehicle, the Negaunee Foundation, gives locally in Chicago.Read More
February 15, 2022 Seven Questions for Ellen Alberding, President and CEO of the Joyce Foundation February 15, 2022/ Mike Scutari Ellen Alberding leads the Chicago-based Joyce Foundation. We caught up with Alberding to discuss her career, why she’s optimistic about philanthropy, and the ubiquitous phenomenon of cats drifting into Zoom calls.Read More