Washington Square Health Foundation
Chicago, IL · EIN 36-1210140. Reported 246 grants totalling $2,310,858 to 101 organizations across tax years 2020-2023. 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. Washington Square Health 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.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $3,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $1,000 and $12,500; the smallest was $250 and the largest $83,981. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $276,114 | 8 | 4 | 2023 |
| A Silver Lining Foundation | Chicago, IL | $185,000 | 18 | 4 | 2023 |
| Northshore University Healthsystem Research Institute | Evanston, IL | $137,619 | 3 | 2 | 2021 |
| Roseland Community Hospital | Chicago, IL | $128,007 | 6 | 3 | 2023 |
| St Anthony Hospital | Chicago, IL | $100,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Chicago Diabetes Project | Chicago, IL | $73,617 | 3 | 2 | 2023 |
| Gilda's Club Chicago | Chicago, IL | $71,500 | 5 | 4 | 2023 |
| Chicago Chesed Fund | Lincolnwood, IL | $57,050 | 9 | 3 | 2022 |
| Chicago Hearing Society | Chicago, IL | $56,050 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Chesedchicago | Lincolnwood, IL | $56,000 | 2 | 1 | 2023 |
| La Rabida Children's Hospital | Chicago, IL | $56,000 | 5 | 2 | 2023 |
| Polish American Association | Chicago, IL | $56,000 | 5 | 3 | 2023 |
| Journeycare | Glenview, IL | $50,000 | 2 | 1 | 2020 |
| Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science | North Chicago, IL | $50,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Shirley Ryan Ability Lab | Chicago, IL | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Shirley Ryan Abilitylab | Chicago, IL | $43,478 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Mount Sinai Hospital and Medical Center Chicago | Chicago, IL | $42,550 | 2 | 1 | 2022 |
| Mcdermott Center Dba Haymarket Center | Chicago, IL | $36,337 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Primecare Health | Chicago, IL | $35,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center | Gurnee, IL | $35,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Health and Medicine Policy Research Group | Chicago, IL | $34,320 | 2 | 1 | 2023 |
| Northwestern University | Chicago, IL | $30,000 | 2 | 1 | 2020 |
| The American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science | Chicago, IL | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Primo Center for Women and Children | Chicago, IL | $28,674 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Advocate Charitable Foundation | Downers Grove, IL | $25,000 | 17 | 4 | 2023 |
| Erie Family Health Center | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Lakeview Pantry | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Mount Sinai Hospital and Medical Center | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Near North Health Service Corporation | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Orchard Village | Skokie, IL | $23,220 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| The Children's Clinic | Oak Park, IL | $21,723 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Breakthrough Urban Ministries | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| North Park University | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Wauconda Fire Rescue Association | Wauconda, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Indian American Medical Association (il) Charitable Foundation Inc | Chicago, IL | $16,710 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine | Chicago, IL | $15,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Institute of Medicine of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $14,500 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Second Sense | Chicago, IL | $14,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Grantmakers in Health | Washington, DC | $13,075 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Community Health Nfp | Chicago, IL | $12,470 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Communityhealthnfp | Chicago, IL | $12,470 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Council on Foundations | Washington, DC | $12,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Howard Brown Memorial Clinic | Chicago, IL | $11,580 | 2 | 1 | 2020 |
| Project Seed of Suburban Chicago Inc | Chicago, IL | $11,200 | 7 | 4 | 2023 |
| North Park Friendship Center | Chicago, IL | $11,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago | Chicago, IL | $10,250 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Chicago Children's Advocacy Center | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| City of Hope | Duarte, CA | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Howard Brown Health Center | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Lawndale Christian Health Center | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Lead Abatement Resource Center | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Planned Parenthoodchicago Area | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Vision for Chicago | Berwyn, IL | $9,950 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Clearbrook | Arlington Heights, IL | $7,788 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| North Side Housing & Support Services | Chicago, IL | $7,025 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Boulder Community Health Foundation | Boulder, CO | $6,000 | 4 | 3 | 2022 |
| Companion Connection Program of Colorado Horse Rescue | Longmont, CO | $6,000 | 3 | 2 | 2023 |
| University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health | Chicago, IL | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Franciscan Tertiary Province of the Sacred Heart Inc | Oak Brook, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Lutheran Social Services of Illinois | Des Plaines, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Sinai Chicago | Chicago, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| University of Chicago Medical Center | Chicago, IL | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| University of Illinois Foundation | Chicago, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| St Leonard's House | Chicago, IL | $4,800 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Alexian Brothers Bonaventure House | Chicago, IL | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Covenant World Relief | Chicago, IL | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital Foundation | Chicago, IL | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Rush University Medical Center | Chicago, IL | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| University of Illinois at Chicago College of Nursing | Chicago, IL | $4,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Food for Greater Elgin | Elgin, IL | $3,500 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Torah Academy of Buffalo Grove | Buffalo Grove, IL | $3,300 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| Buffalo Akg Art Museum | Buffalo, NY | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Congregation Kins of West Rogers Park | Chicago, IL | $3,000 | 3 | 2 | 2022 |
| Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare Group | Elmhurst, IL | $3,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Illini Chabad | Champaign, IL | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| American Cancer Society Illinois Division | Chicago, IL | $2,500 | 2 | 1 | 2020 |
| Ray Graham Association for People With Disabilities | Lisle, IL | $2,500 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| The Kedzie Centerexpanded Mental Health Services of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $2,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center | Buffalo, NY | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Community Foundation Boulder County | Boulder, CO | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago | Chicago, IL | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Mpn Research Foundation | Chicago, IL | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| St John's Episcopal Church | Jackson, WY | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Trinity Episcopal Church | Sonoma, CA | $2,000 | 2 | 1 | 2023 |
| Forefront | Chicago, IL | $1,981 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Colorado Music Festival | Lafayette, CO | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Wood Dale Community United Methodist Church | Wood Dale, IL | $1,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Bensenville Wood Dale Food Pantry | Bensenville, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Friends of Refugees of Eastern Europe (free) Inc | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Harvest House | Buffalo, NY | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Jet - Jewish Education Team Inc | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Mary's Place | Seattle, WA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| New York Road Runners | New York, NY | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Northwestern Memorial Foundation | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Ocean First Institute | Boulder, CO | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Team Spirit Institute | Buffalo Grove, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| The Kedzie Centerexpanded Mental Health Services of Chicago Nfp | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Dion's Chicago Dream | Matteson, IL | $750 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Friends of the Children- Chicago | Chicago, IL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Project Cure | Centennial, CO | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Alzheimer's Association | Chicago, IL | $250 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
42 of 101 (42%) 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 51%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. 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.
- Northshore University Healthsystem Research Institute
Advanced Diffusion Tensor MRI for Breast Cancer - Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation Fellowship Program - Chesedchicago
Healthy and Safe Food Distribution - A Silver Lining Foundation
Grant for the Payment of ASLF Approved Breast Health Testing (screenings through biopsies as medically indicated) - Shirley Ryan Ability Lab
Advance Human Ability Campaign - Shirley Ryan Abilitylab
Exploring a New Nonsurgical Treatment for Muscle Contractures in Cerebral Palsy
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 135 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 62 | $585,263 | $4,900 |
| 2021 | 64 | $574,236 | $2,250 |
| 2022 | 54 | $476,705 | $3,125 |
| 2023 | 66 | $674,654 | $3,162 |
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. 97% 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 $3,000. 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 Washington Square Health Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2020-2023). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: 875 North Michigan Ave 3900, Chicago, IL, 60611. 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 36-1210140 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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