General / Unclassified Grants in Illinois

Explore verified institutional foundations, typical award distributions, and active grantmakers supporting general charitable programs across Illinois.

Total Capital Deployed
$45.3M

Across 815 verified foundation awards

Typical Grant Size
$55,627

Median award for general charitable in Illinois

Open to New Applicants
47%

Of active general charitable foundations accept unsolicited proposals

General / Unclassified Grant Funding Landscape in Illinois

Nonprofits focused on General / Unclassified in Illinois received $45.3M across 815 verified foundation grants over recent tax filings. The typical (median) general charitable grant in Illinois is $55,627, though awards range from smaller $5,000–$25,000 community programming grants up to multi-million-dollar institutional and endowment commitments.

Major Illinois funders actively supporting general charitable initiatives include New Venture Fund, Rsf Social Finance INC, The Pfizer Foundation INC, alongside national foundations funding Illinois organizations, youth initiatives, and community programs. Of the active institutional grantmakers funding general charitable in Illinois, 47% accept unsolicited grant proposals from new applicants, offering immediate funding opportunities for growing 501(c)(3) organizations.

Top Funded Cities in IllinoisBy Total Capital
Chicago80,500 grants awarded
$5.1B
Decatur1,171 grants awarded
$1.98B
Various115 grants awarded
$368.4M
See Attached39 grants awarded
$238.3M
Evanston4,237 grants awarded
$230.4M
Grant Size Distribution TiersBy Grant Count
Grassroots & Seed (<$25,000)77%
Ideal for emerging nonprofits, project pilots, and local programming
Mid-Tier & Capacity ($25K – $100K)15%
Core operational funding, staff expansion, and multi-year programs
Major Endowments ($100,000+)8%
Capital campaigns, statewide initiatives, and major institutional grants
Top Institutional Foundations Funding General / Unclassified in IllinoisRanked by annual charitable capital distribution • Form 990-PF & Community Foundations
FoundationHeadquartersAnnual GivingTypical GrantApplication StatusAction
New Venture Fund
EIN: 205806345
Washington, DC$359.6M$101KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Rsf Social Finance INC
EIN: 136082763
San Francisco, CA$48.2M$25KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
The Pfizer Foundation INC
EIN: 136083839
New York, NY$23.2M$200Invitation OnlyView Profile →
Union Pacific Foundation
EIN: 136406825
Omaha, NE$8.2M$10KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Verizon Foundation
EIN: 133319048
Basking Ridge, NJ$7M$500Invitation OnlyView Profile →
American Property Casualty Insurance Association
EIN: 200487810
Chicago, IL$3.1M$25KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Echoing Green INC
EIN: 133424419
New York, NY$2.6M$50KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Healthcare Foundation of Northern Lake
EIN: 205253008
Grayslake, IL$2.3M$45KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Alliance to End Homelessness in
EIN: 201880398
Hillside, IL$2.2M$133KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Fifth Third Chicagoland Foundation
EIN: 203216854
Rosemont, IL$1.5M$20KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
The Fund for Theological Education INC
EIN: 210725643
Atlanta, GA$1.3M$12KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Gerrish H Milliken Foundation 009209-009
EIN: 066037106
Wilmington, DE$583K$4KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Sagalyn Family Fund
EIN: 136138709
Chicago, IL$174K$4KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Rochelle Area Community Foundation
EIN: 203879466
Rochelle, IL$156K$9KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
The Tabbaa Foundation
EIN: 201097781
Southfield, MI$101K$500Invitation OnlyView Profile →
Showing verified grantmakers • Commercial DAFs & university endowments excludedView all in Illinois directory →

Frequently Asked Questions About General / Unclassified Grants in Illinois

How much grant funding is available for general charitable in Illinois?

Over $45.3M has been deployed across 815 verified foundation grants in Illinois according to recent Form 990-PF and 990 filings.

What is the typical general charitable grant size in Illinois?

The median grant award is approximately $55,627. However, local grassroots initiatives often receive $5,000–$25,000, while regional endowments can exceed $250,000+.

Which foundations in Illinois accept unsolicited proposals?

Approximately 47% of verified institutional grantmakers funding general charitable in Illinois accept unsolicited applications without a pre-existing relationship.

How can my nonprofit find foundations that match our mission?

Use NPO Grant to analyze peer award ledgers in Illinois, identify foundations with active giving history in your city, and contact verified program officers directly.