Square One Foundation
Chicago, Illinois · EIN 366068835 · Private foundation
Square One Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its most recent IRS Form 990-PF reports $1.9M in grants paid and $74.8M in total assets. Bespoke Grants tracks 275 individual grants from this funder — $19.8M awarded across 2019–2024 — including its support for civil rights & social justice. Below is its full funding profile.
What Square One Foundation funds
Square One Foundation's giving carries a documented focus on civil rights & social justice, community improvement, education, environment & conservation, faith-based (jewish), and related causes.
Populations it has supported include black communities, children, families, hispanic communities, low-income communities.
Grant history
The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for Square One Foundation, by amount:
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jewish United Fund (juf) General Purpose | Chicago, IL | $1.5M | 2024 |
| Jewish Federation of Chicago GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE | Chicago, IL | $1.0M | 2022 |
| University of Chicago GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE | Chicago, IL | $760K | 2022 |
| University of Chicago General Purpose | Chicago, IL | $590K | 2024 |
| University of Chicago Odyssey Challenge GENERAL PURPOSE | Chicago, IL | $500K | 2023 |
| University of Chicago GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE | Chicago, IL | $385K | 2020 |
| University of Chicago GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE | Chicago, IL | $310K | 2019 |
| William J Brennan Jr Center for Justice Inc General Purpose | New York, NY | $300K | 2024 |
| National Louis University GENERAL PURPOSE | Chicago, IL | $208K | 2024 |
| The Election Center GENERAL PURPOSE | Katy, TX | $200K | 2024 |
| Brennan Center for Justice GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE | New York, NY | $200K | 2022 |
| Frameworks Institute GENERAL PURPOSE | Washington, DC | $200K | 2023 |
| William J Brennan Jr Center for Justice Inc GENERAL PURPOSE | New York, NY | $200K | 2023 |
| Reform for Illinois GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSE | Chicago, IL | $154K | 2022 |
| City Bureau GENERAL PURPOSE | Chicago, IL | $138K | 2024 |
Square One Foundation giving by year
Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:
How to apply for funding from Square One Foundation
Square One Foundation'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.
Is Square One Foundation the right funder for your nonprofit?
This page shows what Square One Foundation 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 Square One Foundation
- Does Square One Foundation accept grant applications?
- Square One Foundation'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 Square One Foundation fund?
- Square One Foundation's grants focus on civil rights & social justice. Recent recipients include Jewish United Fund (juf), Jewish Federation of Chicago, University of Chicago. Its full grant history is listed above.
- How much does Square One Foundation give in grants?
- Square One Foundation reported $1.9M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2020). Across all years in our data it has awarded $19.8M over 275 grants.
- Where is Square One Foundation located?
- Square One Foundation is based in Chicago, Illinois. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 366068835.
- How can I find foundations similar to Square One Foundation?
- Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like Square One Foundation, 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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