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The Poetry Foundation

EIN: 36-2490808 • Chicago, IL
Total Assets
$313.2M
Foundation endowment scale
Annual Giving
$4.2M
Annual capital distribution
Typical Grant
$20,000
Most grants: $6K – $30K
Application Status
Invitation Only
Rolling review

About The Poetry Foundation Grantmaking

The Poetry Foundation is an institutional grantmaking foundation headquartered in Chicago, IL (EIN: 36-2490808). According to verified IRS Form 990-PF filings, the foundation maintains $313.2M in total assets and distributed $4.2M across 593 grants. Its typical award size is $20,000, with the middle 50% of awards falling between $6K and $30K. Its primary funding focus includes Arts, Culture & Humanities (65%), Education & Literacy (20%), Human Services & Relief (9%), with the highest concentration of grants awarded in IL (37%) and NY (26%).

Top Funded Causes% Capital
Arts, Culture & Humanities65%
$2.7M deployed123 awards
Education & Literacy20%
$845K deployed42 awards
Human Services & Relief9%
$368K deployed12 awards
Community & Economic Dev5%
$195K deployed8 awards
Youth Development2%
$95K deployed4 awards
Top Recipient States% Dollars
IL State Recipients37%
$1.8M funded81 grants
NY State Recipients26%
$1.2M funded60 grants
MD State Recipients15%
$725K funded14 grants
CA State Recipients15%
$717K funded41 grants
MA State Recipients6%
$294K funded15 grants
Grant Size DistributionAward Scale
Major Grants ($100K+)3%
16 large institutional grants
Mid-Sized ($25K–$100K)18%
107 standard program grants
Micro & Small (<$25K)79%
470 grassroots micro-awards
Application Guidelines & DeadlinesPublic Filing Data
Application Policy
Invitation Only / Preselected Grantees
Submission Deadlines

Quarterly review cycles. Applications accepted continuously.

Geographic Focus & Restrictions

Priority given to organizations registered and operating in IL or regional districts.

Program Officer & Direct Contacts

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Recent Grant AwardsShowing 5 of 593 verified awards
Recipient OrganizationLocationTax YearAward AmountGrant Purpose
Mid Atlantic ArtsBaltimore, MD2024$500,000Grant for poetry out loud
Recitation Prizes - Detail Upon ReqChicago, IL2024$114,204Recitation prizes
University of Nebraska FoundationLincoln, NE2024$106,122Special projects and opportunities grant for african poetry book fund at the university of nebraska
Li-young LeeChicago, IL2024$100,000Ruth lilly poetry prize
Community of Literary Magazines and PressesNew York, NY2024$60,000Poetry programs, partnerships and innovation grant
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Poetry Foundation

Does The Poetry Foundation accept unsolicited grant proposals?

The Poetry Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and primarily funds preselected organizations. Direct unsolicited applications are not currently reviewed.

What is the typical grant size from The Poetry Foundation?

The median grant size from The Poetry Foundation is $20,000, with the middle 50% of awards ranging between $6K and $30K.

What causes does The Poetry Foundation fund?

Over recent Form 990-PF filings, The Poetry Foundation's primary funding areas have been Arts, Culture & Humanities, Education & Literacy, Human Services & Relief.

How do I contact The Poetry Foundation about a grant?

The Poetry Foundation is headquartered in Chicago, IL. Verified NPO Grant subscribers can access direct program officer telephone extensions, primary office numbers, and detailed submission guidelines.