Sirius Fund
Chicago, IL · EIN 36-3712587. Reported 381 grants totalling $5,300,321 to 143 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
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. Sirius Fund did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $2,500. Half of everything it gave fell between $1,000 and $10,000; the smallest was $25 and the largest $212,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shedd Aquarium | Chicago, IL | $440,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Rush University Medical Center | Chicago, IL | $402,690 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Advocates | Hailey, ID | $375,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Sun Valley Music Festival | Sun Valley, ID | $348,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Merit School of Music | Chicago, IL | $342,125 | 7 | 4 | 2024 |
| National Forest Foundation | Missoula, MT | $325,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Community Library | Ketchum, ID | $312,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Childrens Advocacy of North and Northwest Cook County | Hoffman Estates, IL | $256,340 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| North Shore Country Day School | Winnetka, IL | $186,670 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Nature Conservancy - Idaho | Hailey, ID | $150,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| University of Colorado | Denver, CO | $130,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wood River Land Trust | Hailey, ID | $127,500 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| St Luke's Wood River Foundation | Ketchum, ID | $125,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Boulder Community Health Foundation | Boulder, CO | $120,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Semester at Sea | Fort Collins, CO | $120,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Loyola University Chicago - Gift Processing | Carol Stream, IL | $101,000 | 3 | 1 | 2024 |
| Nch Center for Philanthropy | Naples, FL | $100,050 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Hunger Coalition | Bellevue, ID | $92,500 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Chicago Community Sculling Inc | Chicago, IL | $75,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Carol Stream, IL | $55,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Artis Naples | Naples, FL | $50,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Rosalind Franklin University (attn Wendy Rheault) | North Chicago, IL | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Cystic Fibrosis | Bethesda, MD | $40,200 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Community Food Share | Louisville, CO | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | Chicago, IL | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Harry Chapin Food Bank | Fort Myers, FL | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Marine Biological Laboratory | Woods Hole, MA | $40,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Millenium Park Foundation | Chicago, IL | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Wonderbound | Denver, CO | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Chicago Botanic Garden | Gencoe, IL | $37,525 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ravinia Festival | Highland Park, IL | $35,850 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Max Mcgraw Wildlife Foundation | Dundee, IL | $34,000 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $30,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Naples Players | Naples, FL | $30,000 | 3 | 2 | 2024 |
| Erikson Institute | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Nature Conservancy - Idaho (stalker Creek Pledge) | Hailey, ID | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Rosalind Franklin University | North Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Grant Park Music Festival | Chicago, IL | $24,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Field Museum | Chicago, IL | $22,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Lee Pesky Learning Center | Boise, ID | $20,600 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Atlantic Salmon Federation | Brooklyn, NY | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Atlantic Salmon Federation | Calais, ME | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Jewish United Fund (juf) | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital Women's Board | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Wolcott School | Chicago, IL | $17,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Lincoln Park Zoo | Chicago, IL | $13,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Planned Parenthood of Illinois | Chicago, IL | $12,100 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| American Friends of the Israel Museum | New York, NY | $12,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Jewish Federation of Greater Naples | Naples, FL | $12,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Women's Board of Rush University Medical Center | Chicago, IL | $10,200 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Better Government Association | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Everglades Foundation | Palmetto Bay, FL | $10,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Joffrey Ballet | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Lafayette College | Easton, PA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Northern Il Food Bank | Carol Stream, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Pads Lake County | North Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Center for Enriched Learning | Riverwoods, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Birthright Israel Foundation | New York, NY | $9,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Senior Connection | Hailey, ID | $9,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Blaine County Recreational District | Hailey, ID | $8,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Women's Board - University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $7,500 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Highland Park Community Foundation | Highland Park, IL | $7,250 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Anti-Defamation League | Chicago, IL | $7,050 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Silver Creek Alliance | Picabo, ID | $7,000 | 4 | 3 | 2024 |
| United States Holocaust Memorial Museum | Washington DC, DC | $7,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grant Park Orchestral Association | Chicago, IL | $6,436 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Wood River Community YMCA | Ketchum, ID | $6,250 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Ravinia Women's Board | Highland Park, IL | $6,150 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| Grant Park Music Festival (advocate for the Arts Awards Benefit) | Chicago, IL | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Chicago Furniture Bank | Chicago, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Family Christian Health Center | Harvey, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Loyola University Chicago - Stritch School of Medicine | Carol Stream, IL | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| National Multiple Sclerosis Society | Washington, DC | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance | Naples, FL | $5,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Sun Valley Opera | Ketchum, ID | $5,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| YMCA of Northern Colorado | Lafayette, CO | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Christ Child Society of Naples | Naples, FL | $4,850 | 5 | 4 | 2024 |
| Chicago Cares | Chicago, IL | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Emory University | Atlanta, GA | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Friends of the Chicago River | Chicago, IL | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Nature Conservancy - Illinois | Chicago, IL | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Wbez | Chicago, IL | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Wood River Jewish Community | Ketchum, ID | $3,600 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Ounce of Prevention | Chicago, IL | $3,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| The Jack Miller Center | Bala Cynwyd, PA | $3,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning | Chicago, IL | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Newberry Library | Chicago, IL | $2,750 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| American Camp Association | Martinsville, IN | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Kesem | Los Angeles, CA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance | New York, NY | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Start Early (fka Ounce of Prevention) | Chicago, IL | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Boise State Public Radio | Boise, ID | $2,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Boulder Police Foundation | Boulder, CO | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center | Skokie, IL | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Ketchumsun Valley Volunteer Firefighters Association | Ketchum, ID | $2,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Openlands | Chicago, IL | $2,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Pedal the Cause | Chicago, IL | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables, FL | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Wgcu | Fort Myers, FL | $2,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Boulder Shelter for the Homeless | Boulder, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Chiarts Foundation | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Malnati Brain Tumor Institute | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Museum of Contemporary Art | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Smart Museum of Art | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning & Leadership | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Sun Valley Jewish Film Festival | Ketchum, ID | $750 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Naples Botanical Garden | Naples, FL | $595 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Chicago History Museum (check Made Out to the Chicago Historical Society) | Chicago, IL | $350 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Family Focus Chicago Child Care Society | Chicago, IL | $350 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Bcca Scholarship | Naples, FL | $250 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Chiarts (chicago High School for the Arts) | Chicago, IL | $200 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Chicago Active Transportation Alliance | Chicago, IL | $200 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Gold Coast Neighbors Association | Chicago, IL | $200 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Reading Power Inc | Lake Forest, IL | $200 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Access Living | Chicago, IL | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Beginning With Children | Brooklyn, NY | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Chicago Coalition for the Homeless | Chicago, IL | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Chicago Eco House | Chicago, IL | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Christ the King Jesuit College Prep | Chicago, IL | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Foundation for Hearing & Speech Resources (fhsr) | Chicago, IL | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Golf | Golf, IL | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Jewish Federation of St Louis | St Louis, MO | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| K9S4U Dog Rescue | Mchenry, IL | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Northwestern University | Chicago, IL | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Nourishing Hope | Chicago, IL | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Presbyterian Hospital Price Family Center | New York, NY | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Arlington, VA | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Unc Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center | Chapel Hill, NC | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital | Memphis, TN | $75 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Accord Hospice | Deerfield, IL | $50 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Alzheimer's Disease Research | Rochester, MN | $50 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ann & Robert Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $50 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| ASPCA | New York, NY | $50 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund | Chicago, IL | $50 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Dea Educational Foundation | Washington, DC | $50 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Salem Luthern School | Tomball, TX | $50 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Tucson Museum of Art | Tucson, AZ | $50 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Legacycom | Chicago, IL | $40 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Dogs Inc | Palmetto, FL | $25 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Massachusetts General Hospital-Development Office | Boston, MA | $25 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Moraine Township Charitable Fund | Highland Park, IL | $25 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| National Multiple Sclerosis Society | Chicago, IL | $25 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Wits Chicago | Chicago, IL | $25 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
87 of 143 (61%) 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 78%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is unusually consistent. 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 the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Sun Valley Music Festival
TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE PURPOSE - Planned Parenthood of Illinois
TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE CAUSE - Legacycom
TO SUPPORT CHARITABLE CAUSE - ARBOR DAY
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 213 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 91 | $1,224,500 | $2,000 |
| 2022 | 91 | $1,200,470 | $2,125 |
| 2023 | 90 | $1,320,791 | $2,525 |
| 2024 | 109 | $1,554,560 | $5,000 |
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. 46% 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.
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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.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $2,500. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Illinois.
- 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.
- 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
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Sirius Fund'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: 225 West Washington 1650, Chicago, IL, 60606. 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 36-3712587 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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