Mazza Foundation
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting a diverse range of causes, primarily focusing on education, health services, and community engagement. Its mission emphasizes providing scholarships, general operating support, and funding for various programs that enhance educational opportunities, health care, and arts and culture initiatives. The foundation serves a variety of populations, including students, community organizations, and health care institutions. It is particularly active in funding educational scholarships for high school and university students, as well as supporting health-related programs at hospitals. While its primary focus is on the Chicago area, it also extends support to select organizations in other regions.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A Chicago/Illinois nonprofit working in education, scholarships, health services, human services, or arts and culture with capacity to manage mid‑to‑large grants and demonstrate local impact.
Good Fit
- • Based in Chicago or elsewhere in Illinois
- • Programs in education/scholarships, hospitals/health, human services, or arts
- • Track record of reliable outcomes and financial stewardship
- • Capacity to manage grants in the tens of thousands up to several hundred thousand
- • Local partnerships or known presence in the Chicago philanthropic ecosystem
Geography
Observed giving is tightly focused on Illinois: the latest year shows about 98% of dollars and roughly 97% of grants to Illinois recipients, with only occasional out‑of‑state awards.
Recipient Variety
Over three years the foundation funded 35–42 distinct recipients annually, combining a substantial returning cohort with roughly a dozen new grantees each year, indicating a broad recipient set for its size.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of access includes an explicit rolling submission/contact route and observed turnover (about 11–12 new recipients in recent years), suggesting unfamiliar applicants can plausibly enter the portfolio though selection remains relationship‑aware.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
