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The First Spoke Foundation

Chicago, Illinois  ·  EIN 200894628  ·  Private foundation

The First Spoke Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its most recent IRS Form 990-PF reports $4.6M in grants paid and $12.4M in total assets. Bespoke Grants tracks 91 individual grants from this funder — $23.6M awarded across 2017–2023 — including its support for faith-based (christian). Below is its full funding profile.

$4.6M
Annual giving (FY2020)
$12.4M
Total assets
91
Grants tracked
2023
Most recent grant

What The First Spoke Foundation funds

The First Spoke Foundation's giving carries a documented focus on faith-based (christian), faith-based (jewish), health care, higher education, housing & homelessness, and related causes.

Faith-Based (Christian)Faith-Based (Jewish)Health CareHigher EducationHousing & HomelessnessK-12 EducationPublic Health

Populations it has supported include children, families, homeless population.

childrenfamilieshomeless population

Grant history

The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for The First Spoke Foundation, by amount:

RecipientLocationGrantYear
University of Illinois Foundation
General Operating Support
Urbana, IL$5.2M2022
The Ark
General Operating Support
Chicago, IL$3.8M2022
Birthright Israel Foundation
General Operating Support
New York, NY$1.0M2020
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
General Operating Support
Chicago, IL$835K2020
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
General Operating Support
Chicago, IL$835K2022
Chicago Community Foundation
General Operating Support
Chicago, IL$800K2020
Partnership Project
General Operating Support
Washington, DC$650K2023
Birthright Israel Foundation
General Operating Support
New York, NY$550K2022
Carbon Mapper Inc
General Operating Support
Pasadena, CA$500K2022
Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
General Operating Support
New York, NY$500K2022
Birthright Israel Foundation
General Operating Support
New York, NY$500K2023
Carbon Mapper Inc
General Operating Support
Pasadena, CA$500K2023
Birthright Israel Foundation
General Operating Support
New York, NY$500K2018
Birthright Israel Foundation
General Operating Support
New York, NY$500K2019
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
General Operating Support
Chicago, IL$472K2019

The First Spoke Foundation giving by year

Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:

2017$535K
2018$1.1M
2019$1.3M
2020$4.6M
2022$12.9M
2023$3.3M

How to apply for funding from The First Spoke Foundation

The First Spoke 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.

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Frequently asked questions about The First Spoke Foundation

Does The First Spoke Foundation accept grant applications?
The First Spoke 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 First Spoke Foundation fund?
The First Spoke Foundation's grants focus on faith-based (christian). Recent recipients include University of Illinois Foundation, The Ark, Birthright Israel Foundation. Its full grant history is listed above.
How much does The First Spoke Foundation give in grants?
The First Spoke Foundation reported $4.6M in grants in its most recent IRS filing (FY2020). Across all years in our data it has awarded $23.6M over 91 grants.
Where is The First Spoke Foundation located?
The First Spoke Foundation is based in Chicago, Illinois. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 200894628.
How can I find foundations similar to The First Spoke Foundation?
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Foundations similar to The First Spoke Foundation

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About this profile. This page is built from The First Spoke 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 First Spoke Foundation. Always confirm current giving priorities and application procedures with the foundation directly before applying.