Forefront
Chicago, Illinois · EIN 237376023 · Private foundation
Forefront is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its most recent IRS Form 990-PF reports $2.9M in grants paid and $6.0M in total assets. Bespoke Grants tracks 399 individual grants from this funder — $26.2M awarded across 2019–2024 — including its support for community improvement. Below is its full funding profile.
What Forefront funds
Forefront's giving carries a documented focus on community improvement.
Grant history
The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for Forefront, by amount:
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Westside Health Authority CAPACITY BUILDING/GENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $993K | 2023 |
| University of Illinois Foundation CAPACITY BUILDING/GENERAL SUPPORT | Champaign, IL | $898K | 2024 |
| New Covenant Community Development Corp CAPACITY BUILDING/GENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $672K | 2022 |
| Ymen CAPACITY BUILDING/GENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $575K | 2024 |
| Ymen CAPACITY BUILDING/GENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $525K | 2022 |
| Ymen CAPACITY BUILDING/GENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $495K | 2023 |
| Austin Coming Together CAPACITY BUILDING/GENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $450K | 2023 |
| Austin Coming Together CAPACITY BUILDING/GENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $450K | 2024 |
| Neighborspace CAPACITY BUILDING/GENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $400K | 2024 |
| University of Illinois Foundation CAPACITY BUILDING/GENERAL SUPPORT | Urbana, IL | $376K | 2023 |
| University of Illinois Foundation CAPACITY BUILDING/GENERAL SUPPORT | Urbana, IL | $343K | 2022 |
| Illinois Stewardship Allliance CAPACITY BUILDING/GENERAL SUPPORT | Springfield, IL | $325K | 2024 |
| Chicago Community and Workers Right CAPACITY BUILDING/GENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $300K | 2024 |
| Faith in Place CAPACITY BUILDING/GENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $283K | 2022 |
| Chicago Food Policy Action Council CAPACITY BUILDING/GENERAL SUPPORT | Chicago, IL | $275K | 2022 |
Forefront giving by year
Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:
How to apply for funding from Forefront
Forefront'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 myforefront.org.
Is Forefront the right funder for your nonprofit?
This page shows what Forefront has funded. Bespoke Grants tells you whether it fits your mission — and finds every other foundation that does. Free, no credit card.
Match my nonprofit to funders →Frequently asked questions about Forefront
- Does Forefront accept grant applications?
- Forefront'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 Forefront fund?
- Forefront's grants focus on community improvement. Recent recipients include Westside Health Authority, University of Illinois Foundation, New Covenant Community Development Corp. Its full grant history is listed above.
- How much does Forefront give in grants?
- Forefront reported $2.9M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2020). Across all years in our data it has awarded $26.2M over 399 grants.
- Where is Forefront located?
- Forefront is based in Chicago, Illinois. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 237376023.
- How can I find foundations similar to Forefront?
- Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like Forefront, 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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