Field Foundation Of Illinois
The Field Foundation is a private, independent foundation based in Chicago that supports community power building through grants and programs in arts & culture, community organizing, journalism and leadership. The site provides program overviews, news, a How to Apply page, and a grant application portal.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Organizations working on community power building in Illinois—particularly arts & culture, community organizing, journalism, and leadership programs—seeking operating, project, or capacity support and able to apply through an online portal.
Good Fit
- • Chicago- or Illinois-based organizations or projects serving Illinois communities
- • Work in arts & culture, community organizing, journalism, or leadership development
- • Requests for operating or capacity support rather than only one-time capital
- • Willingness to apply via the foundation's online portal and follow posted guidelines
- • New or emerging groups (the funder supported many first-time recipients)
Geography
Giving is heavily concentrated in Illinois: in the latest year about 96% of dollars went to in‑state recipients despite grants appearing across a handful of other states.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows a broad portfolio—268 grants to 227 distinct recipients with 177 new recipients that year—indicating a wide and diverse recipient set rather than a tiny closed circle.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of openness includes a public grant portal, posted application instructions, and rolling submissions, and the funder added a large number of new recipients (about 177) in the latest year, suggesting unfamiliar applicants can gain entry.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
