The Spencer Foundation
Chicago, Illinois · EIN 366078558 · Private foundation
The Spencer Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its indexed IRS Form 990-PF summary (FY2021) reports $21.0M in grants paid and $672.7M in total assets. Bespoke Grants tracks 1,197 individual grants from this funder — $114.9M awarded across 2021–2025 — including its support for adult education. This public overview includes selected grant examples.
What The Spencer Foundation funds
The Spencer Foundation's giving carries a documented focus on adult education, arts & culture, arts education, civil rights & social justice, community improvement, and related causes.
Populations it has supported include black communities, children, disabled, families, foster youth, hispanic communities.
Selected grant examples
Up to three historical grant examples from public IRS filings are shown below, ordered by amount. This sample is not a complete funding history.
| Recipient | Location | Grant | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Academy of Education NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship Program (Cohorts 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21) | Washington, DC | $4.3M | 2021 |
| National Academy of Education NAEd/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (Cohorts 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24) | Washington, DC | $3.7M | 2023 |
| National Academy of Education NAEd/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship Program (Cohorts 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24) | Washington, DC | $2.6M | 2023 |
How to apply for funding from The Spencer Foundation
From The Spencer Foundation's IRS Form 990-PF, on how it handles applications:
Verify the current process on the foundation's own materials before sending anything. You can review the foundation directly at spencer.org.
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Frequently asked questions about The Spencer Foundation
- Does The Spencer Foundation accept grant applications?
- Yes — The Spencer Foundation's IRS filing describes an application process. Confirm the current details directly with the foundation before applying.
- What does The Spencer Foundation fund?
- The Spencer Foundation's grants focus on adult education. Example recipients include National Academy of Education. Up to three historical grant examples appear above. Full indexed grant histories require All access at $19/month.
- How much does The Spencer Foundation give in grants?
- The Spencer Foundation reported $21.0M in grants in an indexed IRS filing (FY2021). Across all years in our data it has awarded $114.9M over 1,197 grants.
- Where is The Spencer Foundation located?
- The Spencer Foundation is based in Chicago, Illinois. Its IRS employer identification number (EIN) is 366078558.
- How can I find foundations similar to The Spencer Foundation?
- Compare priorities, past recipients, and grant sizes with your program. Bespoke Grants includes one free successful search per account, for life, with up to three sourced matches. No card. Further searches and full research cost $19/month.
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