Square One Foundation
Invitation OnlyChicago, Illinois · EIN 36-6068835 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$7.2M
Organizations funded77
Typical grant$62,500
Total assets$132.1M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $50,000 and $82,500.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
18% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jewish United Fund (JUF) | Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $1,500,000 |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $590,000 |
| William J Brennan Jr Center for Justice Inc | New York, NY | General Purpose | $300,000 |
| National Louis University | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $207,500 |
| The Election Center | Katy, TX | General purpose | $200,000 |
| City Bureau | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $137,500 |
| Palenque LSNA | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $135,000 |
| Civic News Company | New York, IL | General purpose | $127,500 |
| Chicago United for Equity | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $100,000 |
| KidsFirst Chicago | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $100,000 |
| Wisconsin Conservation VOICES | Madison, WI | General purpose | $100,000 |
| Chicago Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $95,000 |
| South Side Weekly | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $92,500 |
| Block Club Chicago | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $85,000 |
| Community Organizing and Family Issues COFI | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $85,000 |
| Mikva Challenge Grant Foundation Inc | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $85,000 |
| Academy for Urban School Leadership | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $82,500 |
| Equity and Transformation | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $82,500 |
| Latino Policy Forum | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $82,500 |
| Reform for Illinois | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $82,500 |
| The Chicago Community Trust | Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $82,500 |
| Blackroots Alliance | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $80,000 |
| Chicago Votes Education Fund | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $80,000 |
| Common Cause Education Fund | Washington, DC | General purpose | $77,500 |
| Illinois Institute of Technology | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $77,500 |
| Communities Foundation of Texas | Dallas, TX | General purpose | $76,500 |
| Economic Security Project Inc | New York, NY | General purpose | $75,000 |
| Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Right | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $75,000 |
| Tides Foundation | Los Angeles, CA | General purpose | $75,000 |
| Advance Illinois NFP | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $70,000 |
| Beyond Legal Aid | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $70,000 |
| HANA Center | Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $70,000 |
| Citizen Advocacy Center | Elmhurst, IL | General purpose | $67,500 |
| Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund | Springfield, IL | General purpose | $67,500 |
| Apna Ghar | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $67,500 |
| Coalition for a Better Chinese Community | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $65,000 |
| Xchange Chicago | Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $65,000 |
| Center for Budget and Tax Accounntability | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $62,500 |
| Tiny News Collective | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $62,500 |
| Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $60,000 |
| Communities United | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $60,000 |
| Embarc | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $60,000 |
| NewRoot Learning institute | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $60,000 |
| Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP) | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $60,000 |
| Accelerate Institute | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $55,000 |
| Enlace Chicago | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $55,000 |
| Injustice Watch | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $55,000 |
| Invisible Institute | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $55,000 |
| Lugenia Burns Hope Center | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $55,000 |
| Modern Classrooms Project | Washington, DC | General purpose | $55,000 |
| Educators for Excellence | New York, NY | General Purpose | $55,000 |
| Raise Your Hand for Illinois Education | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $52,500 |
| Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $52,500 |
| Chicago Foundation for Women | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $50,000 |
| The Gray Matter Experience | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $50,000 |
| Education Pioneers Inc | Boston, MA | General Purpose | $50,000 |
| New Teacher Center | Sacramento, CA | General Purpose | $50,000 |
| University of Illinois Foundation | Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $50,000 |
| Teachers Supporrting Teachers | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $48,000 |
| Jane Addams Resource COPRPORATION | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $45,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 77 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7,200,500 | 77 |
| 2023 | $5,194,418 | 73 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 17, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202513219349104111
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 36-6068835
- Profile updated Nov 5, 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.