Information for Grantseekers

Expand your thinking with us. We bet big on the innovative thinking of people who are doing the work, accelerating community-driven change.

What We Fund

We aim to be transparent about how we operate. Therefore, we feel it is important to be clear to grantseekers that most of our grantmaking is dedicated to furthering strategies with specific program goals. We generally do not fund unsolicited proposals.

Although very few are selected for funding, we review unsolicited proposals that meet our guidelines. Before submitting a proposal, we recommend that you carefully read our grant guidelines, which help applicants determine whether their idea for a grant fits a particular grantmaking strategy.

From time to time, we may announce an open call for proposals to advance specific program goals. In such instances, information will be available on our website.

More on our grant application process

Awards

100&Change, our competition for a single $100 million grant, is open to any proposed solution to any critical problem of our time. Nonprofit and qualifying for-profit organizations may apply. The competition cycle repeats every three years.

Please note that the MacArthur Fellows Program, which awards unrestricted grants to exceptionally creative individuals, does not accept applications or public nominations.

What We Do Not Fund

The Foundation does not provide funding for the following:

Scholarships or tuition assistance for undergraduate, graduate, or postgraduate studies;
Grants to individuals, except for Leaders for a New Chicago, and the MacArthur Fellows Program, which is not open to applications or public nominations;
Annual fundraising drives;
Paid advertisements; or
Political activities or attempts to influence action on specific legislation.