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.
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.
Populations it has supported include children, families, homeless population.
Grant history
The largest grants Bespoke Grants has on record for The First Spoke Foundation, by amount:
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Foundation General Operating Support | Urbana, IL | $5.2M | 2022 |
| The Ark General Operating Support | Chicago, IL | $3.8M | 2022 |
| Birthright Israel Foundation General Operating Support | New York, NY | $1.0M | 2020 |
| Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago General Operating Support | Chicago, IL | $835K | 2020 |
| Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago General Operating Support | Chicago, IL | $835K | 2022 |
| Chicago Community Foundation General Operating Support | Chicago, IL | $800K | 2020 |
| Partnership Project General Operating Support | Washington, DC | $650K | 2023 |
| Birthright Israel Foundation General Operating Support | New York, NY | $550K | 2022 |
| Carbon Mapper Inc General Operating Support | Pasadena, CA | $500K | 2022 |
| Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors General Operating Support | New York, NY | $500K | 2022 |
| Birthright Israel Foundation General Operating Support | New York, NY | $500K | 2023 |
| Carbon Mapper Inc General Operating Support | Pasadena, CA | $500K | 2023 |
| Birthright Israel Foundation General Operating Support | New York, NY | $500K | 2018 |
| Birthright Israel Foundation General Operating Support | New York, NY | $500K | 2019 |
| Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago General Operating Support | Chicago, IL | $472K | 2019 |
The First Spoke Foundation giving by year
Total grants Bespoke Grants has indexed for each filing year:
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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Match my nonprofit to funders →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?
- Bespoke Grants matches your nonprofit against 225,000+ foundations like The First Spoke 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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