Community foundation · EIN 36-2167000
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust is a community foundation based in Chicago, IL. On its Form 990 (Schedule I) for tax year 2024, it reported $1.22B in grants paid across 4,316 grants, with $7.13B in total assets. Its largest grants went to ImpactAssets Inc, Climate Imperative Foundation and Breakthrough Energy Catalyst Foundation.
How to request funding
Community foundations usually run open grant rounds for nonprofits in their area, alongside donor-advised funds that donors direct. Check The Chicago Community Trust's website for current grant opportunities, deadlines and eligibility.
How it makes and monitors grants (Schedule I, Part IV)
Programmatic grantmaking follows an application process. Prospective grantee organizations submit grant applications outlining the purpose of the grant, the population to be served, and the expected outcomes. Staff review the proposal to determine the merits of the application in order to make a recommendation. All recommendations are then presented to the CEO for consideration and approval. Recommended funding requests over $250,000 are also presented to the board for review, with the board providing final approval on those above $500,000. If approved by either the CEO or the board, the funding request is awarded. Upon award, the grant management office prepares the grant agreement that includes the purpose of the grant, the grant conditions and the grant payment schedule. The grantee organization must accept the grant by executing and returning the grant agreement to The Chicago Community Trust. Once received, payments are initiated by the grant management office based on the payment schedule and provided that all grant conditions are met. At the conclusion of the grant period, the grantee submits a final report describing the use of the grant and the outcomes. Donor advised grant recommendations are submitted to the Trust by the fund advisor. The grant management office conducts due diligence on each recommendation, which includes vetting the grantee organization for 501(c)(3) status, the charitability of any purpose restriction, and other legal requirements. Grants that a
Grants as reported on its Form 990 for tax year 2024; the application guidance above is general for this type of funder. Requirements change; confirm with the organization before applying.
Mission
The Chicago Community Trust and The Chicago Community Foundation (the Trust) bring together donors, nonprofits, civic and business leaders, and community members to improve the lives of people in metropolitan Chicago and beyond. We work in partnership to meet our neighbors' urgent needs, address longer-term regional challenges, and help individuals and families make their greatest charitable impact.
As stated on its Form 990.
Largest grants, tax year 2024
Historical data · not a prediction| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| ImpactAssets Inc | Bethesda, MD | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $47,000,000 |
| Climate Imperative Foundation | San Francisco, CA | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $40,000,000 |
| Breakthrough Energy Catalyst Foundation | Seattle, WA | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $30,000,000 |
| Low Income Investment Fund | San Francisco, CA | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $30,000,000 |
| National Fish and Wildlife Foundation | Washington, DC | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $30,000,000 |
| The Pew Charitable Trusts | Washington, DC | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $25,000,000 |
| Taproot Earth | Philadelphia, PA | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $25,000,000 |
| Community Reinvestment Fund Inc | Minneapolis, MN | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $20,000,000 |
| Climate Lead Inc | San Francisco, CA | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $20,000,000 |
| Craft3 | Seattle, WA | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $15,000,000 |
| National Philanthropic Trust | Jenkintown, PA | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $13,785,239 |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | Cincinnati, OH | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $13,577,161 |
| Allied Climate Partners Inc | New York, NY | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $12,500,000 |
| Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham | Birmingham, AL | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $12,500,000 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, TN | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $12,005,000 |
| Asian Pacific Community Fund of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $12,000,000 |
| East Tennessee Children's Hospital Association Inc | Knoxville, TN | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $12,000,000 |
| Metropolitan Family Services | Chicago, IL | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $11,154,105 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc | New York, NY | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $10,188,000 |
| Tides Center | Los Angeles, CA | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $10,160,500 |
| George M Pullman Educational Foundation | Chicago, IL | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $10,000,000 |
| Friendship Educational Foundation | Redondo Beach, CA | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $10,000,000 |
| Rights and Resources Institute Inc | Washington, DC | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $9,900,000 |
| Alliance of Local Service Organizations | Chicago, IL | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $7,421,860 |
| Mayo Clinic | Rochester, MN | General support for programs, operations and other charitable purposes | $7,301,000 |
The 25 largest of 4,316 grants listed on the return. Names and purposes as reported to the IRS.
Where its grants went
- Illinois$243M · 1,333 grants
- California$187M · 393 grants
- District of Columbia$126M · 181 grants
- New York$105M · 355 grants
- Maryland$62.2M · 52 grants
- Washington$59.7M · 63 grants
- Pennsylvania$55.5M · 72 grants
- Minnesota$36.2M · 60 grants
- Tennessee$32.6M · 31 grants
- Florida$28.5M · 177 grants
- Texas$27M · 177 grants
- Massachusetts$24.2M · 176 grants
Quick answers
Does The Chicago Community Trust accept grant applications?
Community foundations usually run open grant rounds for nonprofits in their area, alongside donor-advised funds that donors direct. Check The Chicago Community Trust's website for current grant opportunities, deadlines and eligibility. Form 990 does not report an application process, so confirm with the organization.
How much does The Chicago Community Trust give each year?
For tax year 2024, it reported $1,217,385,518 in grants paid (4,316 grants). Giving can change from year to year.
What organizations has The Chicago Community Trust funded?
Its largest grants in tax year 2024 went to ImpactAssets Inc (MD), $47M, Climate Imperative Foundation (CA), $40M, Breakthrough Energy Catalyst Foundation (WA), $30M, Low Income Investment Fund (CA), $30M and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (DC), $30M.