FundersIllinois

First Bank Chicago Foundation

Highland Park, IL · EIN 36-3310459. Reported 566 grants totalling $1,811,448 to 291 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.

Yesaccepts unsolicited requests
$1,000median grant
$1,811,448granted, 2021-2024
291organizations funded
60%of grantees funded again the next year
$16,784assets, latest filing

Does this foundation accept applications?

Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. First Bank Chicago Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.

This is the foundation's own statement to the IRS, not our judgement, and it says nothing about whether they have a form, a deadline, or an appetite for new grantees. Treat it as the reason this foundation is worth your research time, not as an invitation. Many small foundations of this kind have no website and no application process -- a letter of inquiry is the normal first step.

How big are its grants?

The median grant is $1,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $500 and $3,000; the smallest was $50 and the largest $38,814. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.

Under $1,000
202 grants
$1,000 - $5,000
248 grants
$5,000 - $10,000
62 grants
$10,000 - $25,000
45 grants
$25,000 - $50,000
9 grants

Every organization it funded

All 291 recipients appear in its filings; the 250 largest are listed here. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which this organization received money -- the clearest signal of who this foundation actually has a relationship with.

OrganizationLocationTotal receivedGrantsYears fundedLast
Community Partners for Affordable HousingLibertyville, IL$140,279442024
Bernie's Book BankLake Bluff, IL$96,300442024
Harper College Educational FoundationPalatine, IL$85,050442024
Les Turner Als FoundationSkokie, IL$81,300442024
District 112 Education FoundationHighland Park, IL$56,000442024
Honest Game FoundationEvanston, IL$55,000332024
Highland Park Community FoundationHighland Park, IL$51,300442024
Neighborhood Housing Services of ChicagoChicago, IL$47,500332023
College Bound OpportunitiesHighland Park, IL$47,000442024
Il Holocaust Museum and Education CenterSkokie, IL$45,000222024
Rotary Club of Highland ParkhighwoodHighwood, IL$41,600442024
The ArkNorthbrook, IL$40,739442024
Il Holocaust Museum & Education CenterSkokie, IL$40,000222022
Catholic CharitiesChicago, IL$34,750332023
Family FocusChicago, IL$32,550442024
Ravinia FestivalHighland Park, IL$24,000442024
North Suburban YMCANorthbrook, IL$21,000442024
Meals on Wheels Northeastern IllinoisEvanston, IL$19,500442024
Tri - Con Child Care CenterHighland Park, IL$17,750442024
Allies for Community BusinessChicago, IL$17,500442024
College of Lake County FoundationGrayslake, IL$17,500442024
ThresholdsChicago, IL$17,500442024
Total LINK2 CommunityNorthbrook, IL$17,500442024
Josselyn CenterNorthfield, IL$16,050332024
Bitter Jester Foundation for the ArtsHighland Park, IL$16,000332024
Boys & Girls Club of Lake CountyNorth Chicago, IL$16,000222022
Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan ChgoChicago, IL$15,100222022
Aspire of IllinoisHillside, IL$15,000442024
Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan ChicagoChicago, IL$15,000222024
Rotary Club of NorthbrookNorthbrook, IL$15,000332024
The Center for Enriched LivingRiverwoods, IL$15,000442024
YWCA Metropolitan ChicagoChicago, IL$15,000222022
Skokie Community FoundationSkokie, IL$14,500442024
Northfield Township Food PantryGlenview, IL$13,750442024
Moraine Township Food PantryHighland Park, IL$13,332442024
Niles Township Food PantrySkokie, IL$13,250442024
Community Investment CorpChicago, IL$12,500442024
St James Food PantryChicago, IL$12,500442024
Back 2 School IllinoisChicago, IL$12,060442024
Beyond Sports FoundationHighland Park, IL$11,000332023
Journey'sPalatine, IL$10,879332024
Salt Service and Learning TogetherLake Forest, IL$10,750112024
Hunger Resource NetworkNorthbrook, IL$10,562332024
Northern Illinois Food BankGeneva, IL$10,450442024
North Suburban Legal Aid ClinicHighland Park, IL$10,100442024
Family Service of Lake CountyHighland Park, IL$10,000222022
Renew Communities LfpLake Forest, IL$10,000222022
Spectrios Institute for Low VisionWheaton, IL$10,000112021
The HarbourPark Ridge, IL$10,000332023
Pads Lake CountyWaukegan, IL$9,000332024
A Safe PlaceZion, IL$8,516442024
Cradles to CrayonsChicago, IL$8,265442024
Mothers Trust FoundationLake Forest, IL$8,000442024
The Douglas CenterSkokie, IL$8,000442024
Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer FoundationChicago, IL$7,611332023
Boys and Girls Club of Lake CountyNorth Chicago, IL$7,500222024
Kids RankHighland Park, IL$7,500222023
For Autistic KidsGlenview, IL$7,100442024
GivenkindGurnee, IL$7,100332024
Highland Park Community Nursery SchoolHighland Park, IL$7,100332024
Evanston Community FoundationEvanston, IL$7,000332023
The Resurrection ProjectChicago, IL$7,000332023
IffChicago, IL$6,000332024
Solomon Schechter Day SchoolNorthbrook, IL$5,600442024
Curt's CafeHighland Park, IL$5,500332024
Impact Grants ChicagoChicago, IL$5,500112024
Parks Foundation of Highland ParkHighland Park, IL$5,500222024
Earth PaintWood Dale, IL$5,273112024
Junior Achievement of ChicagoChicago, IL$5,125222022
NicasaHighland Park, IL$5,102222023
CASA Lake County IncVernon Hills, IL$5,021112021
Handson Suburban ChicagoArlington Heights, IL$5,020332024
Ladder UpChicago, IL$5,018332024
Myra Rubenstein Weis Health Resource CenterEvanston, IL$5,000222024
Renew Communities NfpLake Forest, IL$5,000112023
Renew Communities NfpKenosha, WI$5,000112024
Keeping Families CoveredWaukegan, IL$4,780442024
Shomrim Society of IllinoisChicago, IL$4,600332024
Waukegan to CollegeWaukegan, IL$4,600332024
District 113 Education FoundationHighland Park, IL$4,500332024
Noggin Builders FoundationNorthbrook, IL$4,500332024
The Happiness ClubChicago, IL$4,500332024
We EvanstonChicago, IL$4,500332023
Hopes Center for Racine IncRacine, WI$4,250442024
Turning PointSkokie, IL$4,250442024
The Center for Advance Domestic PeaceChicago, IL$4,206332023
Foster ProgessChicago, IL$4,000332024
Giants Football FundHighland Park, IL$4,000332024
Infinity FoundationHighland Park, IL$4,000442024
Neighborhood Building Owner's AllianceChicago, IL$4,000222024
Salt Service and Learning TogetherAkron, PA$3,950332023
Skokie Public LibrarySkokie, IL$3,850332024
Illinois HumanitiesChicago, IL$3,750332024
Rescuing Leftover CuisineNew York, NY$3,500222024
The Art Center Highland ParkHighland Park, IL$3,500112024
Vine St Bbq Community Outreach NfpPark Ridge, IL$3,500222022
Life Cancer Survivorship Program - MrwHighland Park, IL$3,250442024
The Education FoundationSkokie, IL$3,250332024
Uptown Music Theater Highland ParkHighland Park, IL$3,250332024
Highland Park High School Giants ClubHighland Park, IL$3,117222023
Fenix Family Health CenterHighwood, IL$3,000222024
Friends of the Highwood Public LibraryHighwood, IL$3,000222024
The Center for Advancing Domestic PeaceChicago, IL$3,000112024
Heart of the CityWaukegan, IL$2,800332024
Auxiliary of the Infant Welfare SocietyChicago, IL$2,500222023
Congregation B'nai TorahDeerfield, IL$2,500112024
Depaul College Prep FoundationChicago, IL$2,500112022
Foundation for BarnesSt Louis, MO$2,500112022
Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago IncGlenview, IL$2,500332024
Myra Rubenstein Weis Health Resource CentHighland Park, IL$2,500112021
National Association of Hispanic NursesChicago, IL$2,500112023
Palatine Park FoundationPalatine, IL$2,500112021
President and Fellows of Harvard CollegeCambridge, MA$2,500112022
Skokie Youth FoundationSkokie, IL$2,500112021
Special Gifts TheatreNorthbrook, IL$2,500222024
The Jewish PocetSkokie, IL$2,500112022
Jdrf Illinois ChapterChicago, IL$2,265222024
Northbrook Girls Softball AssociationNorthbrook, IL$2,250332023
Journeys the Road HomePalatine, IL$2,100112022
The Alliance for Human ServicesChicago, IL$2,015442024
Better Business Bureau Education FoundationKnoxville, TN$2,000222023
Gratitude GenerationsDeerfield, IL$2,000332023
Ravinia NurseryHighland Park, IL$2,000222023
The Cove SchoolNorthbrook, IL$2,000222023
Women EmployedChicago, IL$2,000222023
Northbrook BaseballNorthbrook, IL$1,900442024
KeshetNorthbrook, IL$1,800112021
Abundant Life Family ChurchAurora, IL$1,750442024
Immaculate Conception ParishChicago, IL$1,750112023
Beyond HungerOak Park, IL$1,700222024
Deerfield High SchoolDeerfield, IL$1,700442024
Cancer Wellness CenterNorthbrook, IL$1,600332024
Art Impact ProjectLake Bluff, IL$1,500112024
Lake County HavenLibertyville, IL$1,500222024
North Suburban Synagogue Beth ElHighland Park, IL$1,500332024
Rebuilding Together North Suburban ChicagoGlenview, IL$1,500222024
Skokie Park DistrictSkokie, IL$1,500222024
Telsha Yeshiva ChicagoChicago, IL$1,500332023
The Facial Pain Research FoundationGainesville, FL$1,500222022
Township High School District 113 Foundation IncHighland Park, IL$1,500112022
Christ Our Hope Immaculate Conception ParishHighland Park, IL$1,250112024
Cje Senior LifeChicago, IL$1,250222024
Northbrook Public LibraryNorthbrook, IL$1,250332024
Balance BoxesDeerfield, IL$1,100222022
Hadassah Chicago North Shore ChapterNorthbrook, IL$1,100222024
Paws ChicagoChicago, IL$1,100112022
A Leg to Stand onNew York, NY$1,000112022
American Red CrossWashignton, DC$1,000112022
Better Business Bureau Education FoundationChicago, IL$1,000112024
Career Resource CenterLake Forest, IL$1,000112021
Clarendon Hills Infant WelfareChicago, IL$1,000112022
Collaborative Community Housing InitiativeGlencoe, IL$1,000222024
College of Lake CountyGrayslake, IL$1,000112021
Colorado State University FoundationFort Collins, CO$1,000112023
Elite Synchronized Skating ClubNorthbrook, IL$1,000112021
Exclusive Professional Women's Networking GroupBuffalo Grove, IL$1,000112023
Focus on the Arts 2017Highland Park, IL$1,000112021
Highland Park Montessori SchoolHighland Park, IL$1,000112024
Highland Park Senior CenterHighland Park, IL$1,000112022
Highland Park StringsHighland Park, IL$1,000112021
Hope CollegeHolland, MI$1,000112021
Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the ElderlyChicago, IL$1,000112022
Illinois Association of Free and Charitable ClinicsLemont, IL$1,000112024
Illinois Institute of TechologyChicago, IL$1,000112022
Jewish Community Centers of ChicagoNorthbrook, IL$1,000112022
Kaleidoscope IncChicago, IL$1,000112023
Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest, IL$1,000112022
Lawrence University of WisconsinAppleton, WI$1,000112023
Mercy Home for Boys and GirlsChicago, IL$1,000222024
Musical Arts InstituteChicago, IL$1,000112021
National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyChicago, IL$1,000112024
Nicasa NfpHighland Park, IL$1,000112022
North Chicago Public Education FoundationNorth Chicago, IL$1,000112024
North Shore Senior CenterNorthfield, IL$1,000222023
Ort AmericaNorthbrook, IL$1,000222022
Ravinia Nursery SchoolHighland Park, IL$1,000112024
Roosevelt UniversityChicago, IL$1,000112023
School of St MaryLake Forest, IL$1,000222023
Teams Elite Synchronized Skating ClubWauconda, IL$1,000112022
The NetworkChicago, IL$1,000112021
The Network - Adocating Against Domestic ViolenceChicago, IL$1,000112022
Trilogy IncChicago, IL$1,000112023
University of IllinoisChampaign, IL$1,000112024
University of PittsburghPittsburgh, PA$1,000112024
Wounded Warrior ProjectChicago, IL$1,000112021
Youth Job CenterEvanston, IL$1,000112024
Wayne Thomas School PTOHighland Park, IL$800222023
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of ChicagoWaukegan, IL$750112024
GK1 World FoundationLa Mirada, CA$600112021
Free to Run FoundationTroy, OH$575112023
GlenkirkNorthbrook, IL$550222024
Highland Park PlayersChicago, IL$550222023
Orphans of the StormDeerfield, IL$550332023
Alzheimer's Association Greater Illinois ChapterChicago, IL$500112024
Amvets Post 5Chicago, IL$500112024
Campout for KidsChicago, IL$500222022
Central Baptist VillageNorridge, IL$500112023
Council for Jewish ElderlyChicago, IL$500112023
Deerfield Park FoundationDeerfield, IL$500332023
Family ForwardPortland, OR$500112023
FamilyforwardArlington Heights, IL$500112024
Foundation Fighting BlindnessColumbia, MD$500112022
Gift of Adoption FundNorthbrook, IL$500112024
H S F Basketball IncNorthbrook, IL$500112022
Healthy Schools CampaignChicago, IL$500112024
Highland Park Women's ClubHighland Park, IL$500222023
Hp After PromHighland Park, IL$500112022
Jewish National FundNew York, NY$500112023
KerfuffleChicago, IL$500112024
Learning Bridge Early Education CenterEvanston, IL$500112023
Mercy Home for Boys & GirlsChicago, IL$500112022
Northwood Junior High PTOHighland Park, IL$500222024
Open CommunitiesEvanston, IL$500112022
Red Oak Elementary PTOShakopee, MN$500112023
ResilienceChicago, IL$500112024
Sherwood Elementary PTOHighland Park, IL$500222024
Skokie United IncSkokie, IL$500112024
St Patricks SchoolWadsworth, IL$500112022
Stepping Stones NetworkGrayslake, IL$500112021
Street SamaritansChicago, IL$500112024
The Dragonfly Foundation ChicagoChicago, IL$500112022
Skokie Lions ClubSkokie, IL$490222023
Alzheimer's AssociationChicago, IL$400222023
Connections for the HomelessEvanston, IL$400112023
K-9 Reading Buddies of the North ShoreHighland Park, IL$400222024
Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation IncDallas, TX$400112021
The Friendship Circle of IllinoisNorthbrook, IL$360112021
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest IndianaChicago, IL$352222024
American Cancer SocietyKennesaw, GA$300112022
Why We Care NfpChicago, IL$300112024
Working CreditChicago, IL$300112024
Blessings in a BackpackHighland Park, IL$250112024
Chicago Friends SchoolChicago, IL$250112024
City Year ChicagoChicago, IL$250112024
Franciscan OutreachChicago, IL$250112024
Highland Park Chamber of CommerceHighland Park, IL$250112021
Highland Park Woman's ClubHighland Park, IL$250112024
Highwood Chamber of CommerceHighwood, IL$250112021
Jewish Child and Family ServicesChicago, IL$250112024
National Association for Down SyndromePark Ridge, IL$250112021
Niles West High SchoolSkokie, IL$250112021
Oak Terrace PTOHighwood, IL$250112023
Spirit of 67Lake Forest, IL$250112024
American Heart AssociationDallas, TX$200112021
Andrew Strong FoundationCoral Springs, FL$200112021
Mcgaw YMCAEvanston, IL$200112022
Misericordia Heart of MercyChicago, IL$200112021
Missionary Sisters of St BenedictMundelein, IL$200112024
Multiple Myeloma Research FoundationNorwalk, CT$200112022
The Grace NetworkGlenview, IL$200112023

143 of 291 (49%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.

Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 60%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.

What kind of organizations it funds

By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 315 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.

Human Services
68 grants
Education
55 grants
Philanthropy & Grantmaking
25 grants
Youth Development
22 grants
Arts & Culture
20 grants
Food & Nutrition
17 grants
Housing & Shelter
17 grants
Diseases & Disorders
12 grants

Giving by year

Tax yearGrantsTotalMedian grant
2021126$444,070$1,000
2022154$486,075$1,000
2023142$429,447$1,000
2024144$451,856$1,000

Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.

Where its money goes

Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 98% of this one's giving went to organizations in Illinois. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.

Illinois
$1.8M
Wisconsin
$10K
New York
$5K
Pennsylvania
$5K
Missouri
$2K
Massachusetts
$2K
Tennessee
$2K
Florida
$2K

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Funders that support the same organizations

These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.

Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund118 shared recipientsDonor Advised Charitable Giving Inc105 shared recipientsThe Chicago Community Trust93 shared recipientsAmerican Online Giving Foundation Inc91 shared recipientsNational Philanthropic Trust84 shared recipientsVanguard Charitable Endowment Program67 shared recipients

How to approach this foundation

  1. Check you are its size. The median grant is $1,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
  2. Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Illinois.
  3. Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
  4. Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.

Related guides

Foundations funding human services in IllinoisEvery funder in this group, rankedFoundations funding education in IllinoisEvery funder in this group, ranked

Where these numbers come from

Everything above is taken from First Bank Chicago Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.

Address of record on the latest return: 1835 First Street, Highland Park, IL, 60035. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.

EIN 36-3310459 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this

This is history, not an open call. Foundation returns are published about a year after the tax year ends. Nothing on this page is a deadline. It is a record of who this foundation has actually funded, which is the best available predictor of who it will fund next -- and a much better basis for deciding whether to write to them than a mission statement.

Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email hello@funderscope.com and we will correct it.