Human Services & Relief Grants in Illinois

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

Total Capital Deployed
$2.11B

Across 27,897 verified foundation awards

Typical Grant Size
$75,539

Median award for human services in Illinois

Open to New Applicants
73%

Of active human services foundations accept unsolicited proposals

Human Services & Relief Grant Funding Landscape in Illinois

Nonprofits focused on Human Services & Relief in Illinois received $2.11B across 27,897 verified foundation grants over recent tax filings. The typical (median) human services grant in Illinois is $75,539, 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 human services initiatives include The Ford Foundation, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors INC, Boston Foundation INC, alongside national foundations funding Illinois organizations, youth initiatives, and community programs. Of the active institutional grantmakers funding human services in Illinois, 73% accept unsolicited grant proposals from new applicants, offering immediate funding opportunities for growing 501(c)(3) organizations.

Top Funded Cities in IllinoisBy Total Capital
Chicago92,443 grants awarded
$6.31B
Decatur1,234 grants awarded
$1.98B
Various115 grants awarded
$368.4M
Evanston4,834 grants awarded
$319.9M
See Attached39 grants awarded
$238.3M
Grant Size Distribution TiersBy Grant Count
Grassroots & Seed (<$25,000)76%
Ideal for emerging nonprofits, project pilots, and local programming
Mid-Tier & Capacity ($25K – $100K)16%
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 Human Services & Relief in IllinoisRanked by annual charitable capital distribution • Form 990-PF & Community Foundations
FoundationHeadquartersAnnual GivingTypical GrantApplication StatusAction
The Ford Foundation
EIN: 131684331
New York, NY$844.7M$100KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors INC
EIN: 133615533
New York, NY$275M$100KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Boston Foundation INC
EIN: 042104021
Boston, MA$228.4M$25KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Us Committee for Refugees and
EIN: 131878704
Arlington, VA$195.9M$136KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
EIN: 133030229
New York, NY$102.8M$40KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Hias INC
EIN: 135633307
Silver Spring, MD$50.5M$964KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
National Council on Aging INC
EIN: 131932384
Arlington, VA$46.5M$90KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Covenant House
EIN: 132725416
New York, NY$32M$1.5MAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Mather Foundation
EIN: 201030638
Evanston, IL$16.4M$16.4MAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Beatrice P Delany Char Tr Xxxxx7003
EIN: 136748171
Chicago, IL$4.9M$25KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Bernard Heerey Family Foundation
EIN: 141840613
Chicago, IL$3.7M$130KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
The First Spoke Foundation
EIN: 200894628
Chicago, IL$3.3M$60KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Drw Foundation
EIN: 201734765
Chicago, IL$3.2M$50KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Alliance to End Homelessness in
EIN: 201880398
Hillside, IL$2.2M$133KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Ywca USA INC
EIN: 131624103
Washington, DC$1.8M$40KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Showing verified grantmakers • Commercial DAFs & university endowments excludedView all in Illinois directory →

Frequently Asked Questions About Human Services & Relief Grants in Illinois

How much grant funding is available for human services in Illinois?

Over $2.11B has been deployed across 27,897 verified foundation grants in Illinois according to recent Form 990-PF and 990 filings.

What is the typical human services grant size in Illinois?

The median grant award is approximately $75,539. 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 73% of verified institutional grantmakers funding human services 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.