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Grant funders / Illinois / The Barack Obama Foundation

The Barack Obama Foundation

Chicago, Illinois  ·  EIN 464950751  ·  Private foundation

The Barack Obama Foundation is a Illinois-based grantmaker. In its latest 990-PF filing it reported $2.3M in annual giving against $563.7M in assets. This page documents the 84 grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for The Barack Obama Foundation — who they fund, what they prioritize, and what to know before reaching out.

$2.3M
Annual giving (FY2020)
$563.7M
Total assets
84
Grants tracked
2024
Most recent grant

What The Barack Obama Foundation funds

The Barack Obama Foundation's giving carries a documented focus on criminal justice, education, higher education, youth development.

Criminal JusticeEducationHigher EducationYouth Development

Populations it has supported include women girls, youth pop.

women girlsyouth pop

Grant history

The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for The Barack Obama Foundation, by amount:

RecipientLocationGrantYear
Gofundmeorg
SUPPORT GRASSROOTS LEADERS TO EMPOWER GIRLS THROUGH EDUCATION.
Redwood City, CA$3.5M2024
Gofundmeorg
SUPPORT GRASSROOTS LEADERS TO EMPOWER GIRLS THROUGH EDUCATION.
Redwood City, CA$2.4M2023
The National Archives Assembly
DIGITIZATION AND TRANSFER OF OBAMA PRESIDENTIAL RECORDS
College Park, MD$2.0M2019
National Archives Trust Fund
DIGITIZATION OF RECORDS
College Park, MD$1.5M2024
Educational Results Partnership
DEVELOP APPROACH TO ANALYZE DATA REGARDING BOYS AND YOUNG MEN OF COLOR.
Sacramento, CA$1.1M2020
Tides Center
SUPPORT LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE WORKING TO REDUCE VIOLENCE IN COMMUNITIES.
San Francisco, CA$1.0M2023
Chicago Park District
SUPPORT FOR NEW MIDWAY PLAYGROUND.
Chicago, IL$1.0M2023
Tides Center
SUPPORT LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE WORKING TO REDUCE VIOLENCE IN COMMUNITIES.
San Francisco, CA$1.0M2022
Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative
SUPPORT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOUTH SIDE OF CHICAGO.
Chicago, IL$1.0M2022
John Jay College Foundation Inc
SUPPORT FOR MBK CONNECT INITIATIVE AT JOHN JAY COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE .
New York, NY$1.0M2024
Chicago Park District
SUPPORT FOR NEW MIDWAY PLAYGROUND.
Chicago, IL$1.0M2024
Gofundmeorg
SUPPORT GRASSROOTS LEADERS TO EMPOWER GIRLS THROUGH EDUCATION.
Los Altos, CA$930K2022
Urban Alliance Foundation Inc
SUPPORT YOUTH WITH PROFESSIONAL TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.
Washington, DC$880K2022
Impacttulsa Inc
SUPPORT MBK MODEL COMMUNITY.
Tulsa, OK$800K2023
Yonkers City School District Yonkers Public Schools
SUPPORT MBK MODEL COMMUNITY.
Yonkers, NY$800K2023

The Barack Obama Foundation giving by year

Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:

2018$4.0M
2019$3.2M
2020$2.3M
2022$4.4M
2023$9.3M
2024$7.1M

How to apply for funding from The Barack Obama Foundation

The Barack Obama 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. You can review the foundation directly at obama.org.

Is The Barack Obama Foundation the right funder for your nonprofit?

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Frequently asked questions about The Barack Obama Foundation

Does The Barack Obama Foundation accept grant applications?
The Barack Obama 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 The Barack Obama Foundation fund?
The Barack Obama Foundation's grants focus on criminal justice. Recent recipients include Gofundmeorg, Gofundmeorg, The National Archives Assembly. Its full grant history is listed above.
How much does The Barack Obama Foundation give in grants?
The Barack Obama Foundation reported $2.3M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2020). Across all years in our data it has awarded $30.3M over 84 grants.
Where is The Barack Obama Foundation located?
The Barack Obama Foundation is based in Chicago, Illinois. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 464950751.
How can I find foundations similar to The Barack Obama Foundation?
Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like The Barack Obama 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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Foundations similar to The Barack Obama Foundation

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About this profile. This page is built from The Barack Obama Foundation's public IRS Form 990-PF and 990 filings, indexed by Bespoke Grants alongside 13M+ grants from 225,000+ U.S. foundations. Grant figures reflect filings available to date; IRS data publishes on a 1–2 year lag. Bespoke Grants is not affiliated with The Barack Obama Foundation. Always confirm current giving priorities and application procedures with the foundation directly before applying.