Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Historical FunderChicago, Illinois · EIN 36-6108293 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$19.3M
Organizations funded568
Typical grant$25,000
Total assets$439.2M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $5,000 and $50,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | ANNA LEE |
|---|---|
| Address | POLK BROS FOUNDATION 20 W KINZIE ST, REET SUITE 1110, CHICAGO IL 60654 |
| Phone | 3125274684 |
| Form and materials | APPLICATION FORM AVAILABLE FROM FOUNDATION OFFICE AND WEBSITE |
| Deadlines | CONTINUOUS |
| Restrictions | MUST BE ORGANIZATION EXEMPT UNDER SEC 501(C)(3) |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
10% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois Immigrant Funders Collaborative | Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $250,000 |
| Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago | Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $250,000 |
| Big Shoulders Fund | Chicago, IL | Education | $250,000 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $250,000 |
| Navy Pier Inc | Chicago, IL | Arts Access and Learning | $250,000 |
| Window to the World Communications | Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $200,000 |
| Shriver Center on Poverty Law | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $180,000 |
| Erie Family Health Center | Chicago, IL | Health | $170,000 |
| Chicago Community Loan Fund | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $160,000 |
| WBEZChicago Public Media | Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $160,000 |
| Tapestry 360 Health | Chicago, IL | Health | $150,000 |
| UIC Community Engagement and Neighborhood Health Partnerships | Chicago, IL | Health | $150,000 |
| Fund for Safe and Peaceful Communities | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $150,000 |
| Chicago Public Education Fund | Chicago, IL | Education | $140,000 |
| Mercy Housing Lakefront | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $135,000 |
| Rush University Medical Center | Chicago, IL | Health | $125,000 |
| University of Chicago Urban Education Institute | Chicago, IL | Education | $125,000 |
| Roger Baldwin Foundation of ACLU | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $125,000 |
| Ingenuity Incorporated Chicago | Chicago, IL | Arts Access and Learning | $120,000 |
| Forefront | Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $115,000 |
| Leading Educators Inc | Chicago, IL | Education | $112,000 |
| Chicago Jobs Council | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $110,000 |
| AIDS Foundation of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $100,000 |
| Museum of Science and Industry | Chicago, IL | Education | $100,000 |
| Kids First Chicago | Chicago, IL | Education | $100,000 |
| Thresholds | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $100,000 |
| Arts Work Fund for Organizational Dev | Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $100,000 |
| Icirr | Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $100,000 |
| Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $100,000 |
| Chicago Community Foundation | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $100,000 |
| Ampt | Chicago, IL | Initiatives | $100,000 |
| Youth Guidance | Chicago, IL | Education | $100,000 |
| University of ChicagoNetwork for College Success | Chicago, IL | Education | $100,000 |
| Metropolitan Family Services | Chicago, IL | Education | $100,000 |
| Youth Guidance | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $90,000 |
| Jane Addams Resource Corporation | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $90,000 |
| Bickerdike Redevelopment Corp | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $90,000 |
| Chicago Shakespeare Theater | Chicago, IL | Arts Access and Learning | $90,000 |
| Teach For America | Chicago, IL | Education | $80,000 |
| Posse Foundation | Chicago, IL | Education | $80,000 |
| Deborah's Place | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $80,000 |
| Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $80,000 |
| All Chicago Making Homelessness History | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $80,000 |
| Chicago Public Library Foundation | Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $80,000 |
| Nep | Oakland, CA | Education | $80,000 |
| Crossroads Fund | Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $80,000 |
| University of Chicago Inclusive Economy Lab | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $80,000 |
| NewRoot Learning Institute | Chicago, IL | Education | $80,000 |
| Impact for Equity | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $80,000 |
| Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Health | $80,000 |
| Metropolitan Family Services | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $80,000 |
| Christopher House | Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $76,000 |
| Skills for Chicago | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $75,000 |
| Cara Collective | Chicago, IL | Strong Communities | $75,000 |
| Sinai Health System | Chicago, IL | Health | $75,000 |
| Chalkbeat | New York, NY | Education | $75,000 |
| Northwestern Memorial Foundation | Chicago, IL | Matching | $75,000 |
| University of Chicago-Dept of Math | Chicago, IL | Education | $72,000 |
| After School Matters | Chicago, IL | Strong Families | $70,000 |
| Chicago Foundation for Women | Chicago, IL | Special Projects | $70,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 568 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $19,251,491 | 568 |
| 2023 | $24,504,571 | 676 |
| 2022 | $26,591,438 | 717 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Apr 16, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202641069349100149
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 36-6108293
- Profile updated Nov 4, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.