Application Instructions & Grant Cycle Timing
The following information provides a general overview of our application process, with approximate timing, but specific procedures and deadlines may be flexible. Where possible, staff will accept reports and proposals recently submitted to other funders.
Current Grantees
- August - Staff will reach out via email to schedule check-in calls and discuss the process for potential grant renewal.
- December - Grants decisions will be made.
New Applicants
- Review program criteria and contact staff to assess eligibility and fit.
- July - September - If your organization is invited to submit an application, staff will provide you with instrucitons via email.
- December - Grants decisions will be made.
Current Grantees
- March - Staff will reach out via email to schedule check-in calls and discuss the process for potential grant renewal.
- April-June - Grants decisions will be made.
New Applicants
- Review program criteria and contract staff to assess eligibility and fit.
- January-March - If you organization is invited to submit an application, staff will provide you with instructions via email.
- April-June - Grants decisions will be made.
Current Grantees
- Late summer/early fall - Staff will reach out via email to schedule check-in calls and discuss the process for potential grant renewal.
- Where possible, staff will accept reports/proposals recently submitted to other funders.
- December - Grants decisions will be made.
New Grantees
- Review program criteria and contact staff to assess eligibiilty and fit.
- July-September - If your organization is invited to submit an applicaiton, staff will provide you with instructions via email.
- December - Grants decisions will be made.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Organizations will only be considered once per calendar year.
The Foundation will consider proposals for both general operating and program-specific funding.
Education grants generally range from $20,000-$50,0000. You may request an amount commensurate with our organizational/program needs. If you have questions, Foundation staff can consult on an appropriate amount to request.
The Foundation will consider multi-year requests, depending on the organization and the nature of the work. Please apply for a one-year grant unless we specifically ask you to apply for multi-year funding.
If your organization is selected to advance in the proposal review process, staff will contact you to set up a site visit or a meeting with your staff, either in-person or virtually. Staff and Foundation committee members will conduct in-person or virtual site visits with as many organizations as time and travel schedules permit; however, not all organizations will be visited every year.
Yes. In order to submit a Letter of Inquiry, all new potential applicants must first speak with staff to determine fit with the Foundation’s portfolio. If your organization is invited to submit a Letter of Inquiry, staff will provide instructions.Current grantees do not need to submit an LOI.
Currently, the Foundation does not specify the number of years it will support an organization. We continue to strive to find a balance between new funding opportunities and maintaining and strengthening relationships with current grantees.
If you have specific questions about whether your organization is a “fit” with the Foundation’s priorities, please contact staff.
No. Please see Application Instructions & Grant Cycle Timing above for more specific information on our application timing.
Generally, yes; we will only fund organizations located in the city of Chicago or the city of Los Angeles, and/or organizations working in or partnering with Chicago Public Schools or Los Angeles Unified School District. If your organization is located outside the Chicago or LA city limits, but provides substantial programming to Chicago or LA youth, please contact staff to discuss eligibility.
Yes. Please contact staff for additional information.
The foundation will not fund:
- Any organization that accepts funds for abstinence-only education.
- Any organization that has been designated a 509(a)(2) Type III by the IRS.
- Any organization in which funds will be used for the study and/or propagation of a particular religious faith.
- Individuals.
- Films or recordings.
- Organizations operating exclusively outside of the United States.
- Purchase of tickets to testimonial events or advertising in yearbooks and dinner programs.