Big Shoulders Fund
Chicago, Illinois · EIN 363490557 · Private foundation
Big Shoulders Fund is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its most recent IRS Form 990-PF reports $25.8M in grants paid and $91.3M in total assets. Bespoke Grants tracks 519 individual grants from this funder — $92.0M awarded across 2018–2025 — including its support for faith-based (christian). Below is its full funding profile.
What Big Shoulders Fund funds
Big Shoulders Fund's giving carries a documented focus on faith-based (christian), k-12 education.
Populations it has supported include children.
Grant history
The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for Big Shoulders Fund, by amount:
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aquinas Catholic School (in) CG | Merrillville, IN | $2.1M | 2023 |
| St Sabina Academy AE, CP, OP | Chicago, IL | $1.4M | 2025 |
| St Ethelreda School AE, CP, LPD, OP | Chicago, IL | $1.2M | 2025 |
| St Francis De Sales High School (chicago) OP PP MO | Chicago, IL | $1.2M | 2019 |
| St Francis De Sales High School (chicago) OP PP MO | Chicago, IL | $1.2M | 2018 |
| St Francis De Sales High School AE, CP, OP, PP, DDG | Chicago, IL | $1.1M | 2025 |
| St Ethelreda School AE OP | Chicago, IL | $1.1M | 2023 |
| Visitation School AE LA OP DDG ED SM | Chicago, IL | $998K | 2023 |
| St Francis De Sales High School (chicago) OP PP DDG | Chicago, IL | $981K | 2020 |
| St Angela School AE, OP, DDG | Chicago, IL | $917K | 2025 |
| Epiphany School AE, LPD, OP, PP, DDG | Chicago, IL | $896K | 2025 |
| St Constance School AE, LPD, OP, PP | Chicago, IL | $824K | 2025 |
| Visitation School AE, CP, OP, PP, DDG | Chicago, IL | $800K | 2025 |
| St Mary Star of the Sea School AE, OP | Chicago, IL | $734K | 2025 |
| Augustus Tolton Academy AE SM LA OP | Chicago, IL | $718K | 2024 |
Big Shoulders Fund giving by year
Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:
How to apply for funding from Big Shoulders Fund
Big Shoulders Fund's public IRS filing does not spell out a formal application process. Foundations of this size often give primarily to organizations they already know, so a concise letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first contact — not a full proposal. You can review the foundation directly at bigshouldersfund.org.
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Match my nonprofit to funders →Frequently asked questions about Big Shoulders Fund
- Does Big Shoulders Fund accept grant applications?
- Big Shoulders Fund's public filing does not specify an application process. A brief letter of inquiry or a warm introduction is usually the best first step with a private foundation of this size.
- What does Big Shoulders Fund fund?
- Big Shoulders Fund's grants focus on faith-based (christian). Recent recipients include Aquinas Catholic School (in), St Sabina Academy, St Ethelreda School. Its full grant history is listed above.
- How much does Big Shoulders Fund give in grants?
- Big Shoulders Fund reported $25.8M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2020). Across all years in our data it has awarded $92.0M over 519 grants.
- Where is Big Shoulders Fund located?
- Big Shoulders Fund is based in Chicago, Illinois. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 363490557.
- How can I find foundations similar to Big Shoulders Fund?
- Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like Big Shoulders Fund, ranking each by how well it fits your mission, location, and budget — with the reasoning shown. It is free to search.
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