Funding search · special education · Illinois
Who funds special education work in Illinois
15 funders have a record of paying for special education work by Illinois recipients: 53 grants totaling $3.8M, most recently in 2025 — mostly grantmaking charities, which often run real application cycles. The largest by matched giving are The Ayco Charitable Foundation ($484,850), Helen V Brach Foundation ($155,000) and Wheeler Foundation ($913,944).
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 Ayco Charitable FoundationCohoes, NYCharity · may take applications
13 matching grants · $484,850 · through 2025Largest: $197,100 to NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY — special education funding
Largest: $25,000 to Mount Carmel HS — to help subsidize mcdermott/doyle program which serves students with learning disabilities but who have potential to succeed at college level
Largest: $377,964 to VERMILION ASSOCIATION FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION — greenhouse grant
Illinois Equal Justice FoundationChicago, ILCharity · may take applications
4 matching grants · $750,000 · through 2024Largest: $220,000 to EQUIP FOR EQUALITY — to provide legal information and advice on special education issues via a statewide hotline. to provide outreach to disabled people impacted by criminalization of cannabis.
Chicago Cook Workforce PartnershipChicago, ILCharity · may take applications
4 matching grants · $968,710 · through 2022Largest: $381,048 to LaGrange Area Department of Special Education — workforce innovation and opportunity act and other grant activiies
Largest: $101,000 to MUHSEN (MUSLIMS UNDERSTANDING AND HELPING SPECIAL EDUCATION NEEDS) — program support
Jewish Federation of MetropolitanChicago, ILCharity · may take applications
3 matching grants · $56,210 · through 2024Largest: $33,160 to PATHWAYS ACADEMY FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION — grants from donor advised funds- operating support
Largest: $4,500 to NORTHWEST SUBURBAN SPECIAL EDUCATION ORGANIZATION — sunrise lake volunteer day
Rosewood FoundationDes Plaines, ILCharity · may take applications
1 matching grant · $66,000 · through 2023Largest: $66,000 to GRANTS TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS — special education
Christopher Reeve FoundationShort Hills, NJCharity · may take applications
1 matching grant · $26,118 · through 2022Largest: $26,118 to NORTHWEST SUBURBAN SPECIAL EDUCATION ORGANIZATION — tier 2 - assistive technology
Largest: $26,000 to MOUNT CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL — toward expenses of the mcdermott/doyle program for students with mild to moderate learning disabilities.
Largest: $7,010 to BREHM PREPARATORY SCHOOL — to support the educational mission of brehm preparatory school by providing specialized academic instruction, student services, and programs designed to meet the needs of students …
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: special education funders nationally · all Illinois-based grantmakers