The Knowles Foundation
Invitation OnlyChicago, Illinois · EIN 36-6051968 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$1.4M
Organizations funded25
Typical grant$50,000
Total assets$28.4M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $32,000 and $75,000.
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
0% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merit School of Music | Chicago, IL | Capital campaign | $187,500 |
| Gigi's Playhouse Inc | Hoffman Estates, IL | General fund | $100,000 |
| Lyric Opera of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Student and family performances fund | $100,000 |
| Friends of the Chicago River | Chicago, IL | General fund | $80,000 |
| Ray Graham Association | Lisle, IL | Hanson center | $78,500 |
| Chicago Architecture Center | Chicago, IL | General fund | $75,000 |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital | Elmhurst, IL | Breast health program | $75,000 |
| Loyola University Medical Center | Mayhood, IL | Nursing fund | $75,000 |
| Adler Planetarium | Chicago, IL | School experiences program | $70,000 |
| Merit School of Music | Chicago, IL | General fund | $68,000 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | Hoffman Estates, IL | General fund | $60,000 |
| Ray Graham Association | Lisle, IL | Able campaign | $50,000 |
| Hinsdale Junior Womans Club | Hinsdale, IL | General fund | $50,000 |
| Museum of Science and Industry | Chicago, IL | General fund | $50,000 |
| Shedd Aquarium Society | Chicago, IL | General fund | $50,000 |
| The Field Museum | Chicago, IL | General fund | $50,000 |
| Alliance for the Great Lakes | Chicago, IL | General fund | $40,000 |
| Foundation for Hearing and Speech Research | Chicago, IL | Music to my ears program | $32,000 |
| Merit School of Music | Chicago, IL | Music to my ears program | $32,000 |
| Lincoln Park Zoo | Chicago, IL | General fund | $30,000 |
| Foundation for Hearing and Speech Research | Chicago, IL | General fund | $28,000 |
| Shirley Ryan Ability Lab | Chicago, IL | General fund | $25,000 |
| Foundation for Hearing and Speech Research | Chicago, IL | Music therapy program | $15,000 |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | General fund | $10,000 |
| Merit School of Music | Chicago, IL | South shore program | $5,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,436,000 | 25 |
| 2023 | $1,452,500 | 24 |
| 2022 | $1,132,000 | 22 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Aug 13, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202632259349100823
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 36-6051968
- 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.