Through its grantmaking, the Field Foundation distributes more than $11 million annually to organizations and leaders working in geographic priority areas, with a focus on the city’s South and West Sides. Our grants and awards are made more substantial through key strategic partnerships. For example, our collaborations with the MacArthur Foundation support signature programs, including A Road Together (ART) and the Leaders for a New Chicago Award as well as our Journalism & Storytelling grantmaking.
Grants range from $5,000 to $100,000 depending on the program area. Our average grant is $25,000.
While 501(c)(3) status is required, organizations without this designation may on occasion apply for a Community Power Building or Journalism & Storytelling grant in partnership with a 501(c)(3) organization acting as a fiscal agent or fiscal sponsor. Contact us to confirm eligibility before applying.
While these terms are often used interchangeably, they have different meanings:
- Fiscal agent: One entity acts as the legal agent of another organization.
- Fiscal sponsor: A 501(c)(3) organization provides financial support to a project without 501(c)(3) status.
Within our Community Power Building and Journalism & Storytelling program areas, we may on occasion accept grant requests from fiscal agents and fiscal sponsors. Contact us to confirm eligibility before applying.
No, but we are happy to help. Please contact Zoe Magirek, our Director of Administration, with any questions.
The Leaders for a New Chicago Award is our only program that recognizes individuals. All other grants go to organizations.
We make grants for direct service only through our A Road Together (ART) initiative.
We focus primarily on Chicago’s South and West Sides, where our analysis indicates the greatest areas of need.