Funding search · college access and success · Illinois
Who funds college access and success work in Illinois
15 funders have a record of paying for college access and success work by Illinois recipients: 63 grants totaling $13.6M, most recently in 2025 — mostly private foundations, plus grantmaking charities. The largest by matched giving are The Chicago Community Trust ($5.8M), Robert R McCormick Foundation ($4.4M) and Wp & Hb White Foundation ($165,000).
From IRS Form 990-PF and 990 Schedule I filings, 2019–2025. Grants already paid to Illinois recipients — evidence of what these funders back, not open calls.
The Chicago Community TrustChicago, ILCharity · may take applications
17 matching grants · $5.8M · through 2022Largest: $390,000 to Network for Young Adult Success — to support the utmostu college access and completion program. support to the 4-year college access and completion program at utmostu for the 2022-2023 school year. to support emerg…
Robert R McCormick FoundationChicago, ILCharity · may take applications
5 matching grants · $4.4M · through 2024Largest: $452,500 to BOTTOM LINE INC — for bottom lines access and success programs in chicago, for the access, success, and blueprint programs, for college access and success programming
Largest: $25,000 to CHICAGO SCHOLARS — to support the operational and programmatic supports provided to nearly 5,300 scholars and alumni including scholar recruitment efforts, college access workshops, eight 1:1 counsel…
Largest: $35,000 to BIG SHOULDERS FUND — college access program
Largest: $16,600 to Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy — first generation college student summer internship
Largest: $300,000 to Horizons For Youth — to support first generation college students
Largest: $20,000 to Christ the King Jesuit College Prep — college access and alumni persistence program
Largest: $10,000 to OUR LADY OF TEPEYAC HIGH SCHOOL — college readiness program for needy high school girls.
Largest: $1.7M to CHICAGO JESUIT ACADEMY — to offer children with educational and economic needs access to a catholic, college preparattory middle school education in the jesuit tradition.
Largest: $90,000 to BUILD Inc — build college access and persistence academy (capa)
Largest: $10,000 to Chicago Debate Commission — to support competitive debate program serving mostly low-income students of color, expanding college access and life opportunities
Largest: $50,000 to ONEGOAL — strengthening college access & success for low-income students of color in the bay area
This is one topic and one state. PaperOrbit reads your actual paper and searches on everything in it — then explains why each funder fits.
Start with one paperBroader: college access and success funders nationally · all Illinois-based grantmakers