Funding search · democracy and civic engagement · Illinois
Who funds democracy and civic engagement work in Illinois
15 funders have a record of paying for democracy and civic engagement work by Illinois recipients: 68 grants totaling $22.9M, most recently in 2024 — mostly grantmaking charities, which often run real application cycles. The largest by matched giving are The Chicago Community Trust ($2.7M), California Community Foundation ($2.3M) and The Hearthland Foundation ($9.6M).
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
16 matching grants · $2.7M · through 2022Largest: $1.3M to Jewish United Fund of Chicago — general operating support, support for annual campaign 2022, support for the work of janna berk on behalf of the juf, bari patzik charitable fund, women's only support, 2022 unrest…
California Community FoundationLos Angeles, CACharity · may take applications
11 matching grants · $2.3M · through 2024Largest: $1.0M to THE BARACK OBAMA FOUNDATION — civic engagement
Largest: $2.0M to BARACK OBAMA FOUNDATION — civic engagement & gotv
John D and Catherine T MacArthur Foundation (Consolidated)Chicago, IL
7 matching grants · $6.0M · through 2024Largest: $250,000 to UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO — in support of the office of civic engagement's business diversity institute and c-suite colloquium
Largest: $50,000 to The University of Chicago - Office of Civic Engagement — strong communities
Foundation for Civic LeadershipCambridge, MACharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $206,900 · through 2024Largest: $100,000 to CIVIC NATION — civic engagement activities
The Greater New Orleans FoundationNew Orleans, LACharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $84,500 · through 2024Largest: $28,500 to MUSLIM AMERICAN LEADERSHIP ALLIANCE — civic engagement
Alliance for Youth OrganizingWashington, DCCharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $760,785 · through 2024Largest: $200,000 to CHICAGO VOTES EDUCATION FUND — civic engagement
Robert R McCormick FoundationChicago, ILCharity · may take applications
2 matching grants · $709,000 · through 2023Largest: $559,000 to LATINO POLICY FORUM — for illinois latino agenda to promote latino civic engagement, for general operating support, sponsorship
Nakasec Action FundChicago, ILCharity · may take applications
2 matching grants · $178,960 · through 2024Largest: $128,960 to NATIONAL KOREAN AMERICAN SERVICE AND EDUCATION CONSORTIUM — to support civic engagement efforts such as voter registration and voter education at the local level in va, tx, and pa
The Oregon Community FoundationPortland, ORCharity · may take applications
2 matching grants · $64,489 · through 2023Largest: $49,368 to The Chicago Community Trust — civic engagement
Largest: $20,000 to THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO - OFFICE OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT — civic actor studio
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Start with one paperBroader: democracy and civic engagement funders nationally · all Illinois-based grantmakers