Youth Development Grants in Illinois

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

Total Capital Deployed
$372.7M

Across 6,495 verified foundation awards

Typical Grant Size
$57,379

Median award for youth in Illinois

Open to New Applicants
53%

Of active youth foundations accept unsolicited proposals

Youth Development Grant Funding Landscape in Illinois

Nonprofits focused on Youth Development in Illinois received $372.7M across 6,495 verified foundation grants over recent tax filings. The typical (median) youth grant in Illinois is $57,379, 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 youth initiatives include Boston Foundation INC, The San Francisco Foundation, Carnegie Corporation of New York, alongside national foundations funding Illinois organizations, youth initiatives, and community programs. Of the active institutional grantmakers funding youth in Illinois, 53% accept unsolicited grant proposals from new applicants, offering immediate funding opportunities for growing 501(c)(3) organizations.

Top Funded Cities in IllinoisBy Total Capital
Chicago83,777 grants awarded
$5.39B
Decatur1,216 grants awarded
$1.98B
Various115 grants awarded
$368.4M
See Attached39 grants awarded
$238.3M
Evanston4,272 grants awarded
$230.6M
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 Youth Development in IllinoisRanked by annual charitable capital distribution • Form 990-PF & Community Foundations
FoundationHeadquartersAnnual GivingTypical GrantApplication StatusAction
Boston Foundation INC
EIN: 042104021
Boston, MA$228.4M$25KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
The San Francisco Foundation
EIN: 010679337
San Francisco, CA$218.4M$26KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Carnegie Corporation of New York
EIN: 131628151
New York, NY$174.4M$225KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Fidelity Foundation
EIN: 046131201
Boston, MA$156.2M$400Invitation OnlyView Profile →
Charter Fund INC
EIN: 050620063
Denver, CO$143.5M$250KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
EIN: 133030229
New York, NY$102.8M$40KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
One8 Foundation
EIN: 046836735
Boston, MA$48.8M$50KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Capital One Foundation INC
EIN: 113276603
McLean, VA$36M$125KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
New Profit INC
EIN: 043396766
Boston, MA$31.2M$375KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
The Leon and Toby Cooperman
EIN: 133102941
Boca Raton, FL$22.3M$10KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
The Herbert & Nell Singer Foundation INC
EIN: 133151548
Wilmington, DE$14.2M$20KInvitation OnlyView Profile →
Girl Scouts of the United States of
EIN: 131624016
New York, NY$8.2M$23KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Girls Incorporated
EIN: 131915124
New York, NY$5M$64KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Horizons National Student Enrichment
EIN: 061468129
Westport, CT$465K$126KAccepts New ApplicantsView Profile →
Walton Family Foundation INC
EIN: 133441466
Bentonville, AR$1K$650Invitation OnlyView Profile →
Showing verified grantmakers • Commercial DAFs & university endowments excludedView all in Illinois directory →

Frequently Asked Questions About Youth Development Grants in Illinois

How much grant funding is available for youth in Illinois?

Over $372.7M has been deployed across 6,495 verified foundation grants in Illinois according to recent Form 990-PF and 990 filings.

What is the typical youth grant size in Illinois?

The median grant award is approximately $57,379. 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 53% of verified institutional grantmakers funding youth 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.