Libraries & Literacy Grant Funders in Illinois
152 foundations with a documented libraries & literacy focus have made grants to Illinois nonprofits in recent years, together directing $86.5M to organizations across the state. Below are the most active — every funder links to a public funder overview, and Bespoke Grants will match all 152 against your nonprofit's specific mission. One lifetime free search includes up to three sourced matches; further searches and the full workflow are $19/month. No credit card is needed for the preview.
Most active libraries & literacy funders in Illinois
| # | Funder | Based in | Total Illinois giving | Grants | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | Washington | $12.7M | 4 | 2018 |
| 2 | The Chicago Community Trust | Illinois | $11.1M | 18 | 2023 |
| 3 | Danville Area Community College | Illinois | $8.9M | 5 | 2024 |
| 4 | Fulk Family Foundation Inc | Illinois | $5.4M | 5 | 2024 |
| 5 | John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation (consolidated) | Illinois | $5.2M | 3 | 2020 |
| 6 | Iaa Foundation | Illinois | $4.4M | 491 | 2024 |
| 7 | Sacks Family Foundation | Illinois | $4.0M | 4 | 2022 |
| 8 | The Andrew W Mellon Foundation | New York | $3.5M | 6 | 2024 |
| 9 | Robert R Mccormick Foundation | Illinois | $2.4M | 5 | 2024 |
| 10 | Dollar General Literacy Foundation | Tennessee | $2.3M | 245 | 2025 |
| 11 | Wk Kellogg Foundation | Michigan | $1.9M | 7 | 2023 |
| 12 | Walgreens Foundation | Illinois | $1.5M | 2 | 2024 |
| 13 | United Way of Rock River Valley | Illinois | $1.4M | 32 | 2025 |
| 14 | Sigma Alpha Epsilon Foundation | Illinois | $1.2M | 18 | 2023 |
| 15 | Southern Illinois University | Illinois | $1.1M | 4 | 2019 |
This list is ranked by size. Yours should be ranked by fit.
The funders above are the biggest libraries & literacy funders in Illinois — not necessarily the right ones for you. Bespoke Grants ranks all 152 against your nonprofit's actual mission, service area, and budget, and shows you why each one matches. One lifetime free search includes up to three sourced matches; further searches and the full workflow are $19/month. No credit card is needed for the preview.
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