Irie Foundation
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting various charitable causes. Its mission focuses on health-related initiatives, community service, education, and disaster response, as evidenced by its funding of organizations such as the American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, and American Red Cross. The foundation provides grants for general purposes, indicating a flexible approach to funding that allows recipients to allocate resources as needed. It serves a diverse range of populations and sectors, including health charities, food banks, and youth development organizations. While the foundation is based in Illinois, its funding extends to various organizations across multiple states and even internationally.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Established charitable organizations (often national or multi‑state) with a general-purpose funding profile and existing relationships or introducers into the foundation’s network.
Good Fit
- • Mission aligns with the foundation’s observed giving (health charities, disaster relief, education, community services).
- • Organizational track record and fiscal capacity consistent with mid-size grants ($5K–$60K typical, occasional larger grants).
- • Existing relationship, introduction, or prior engagement with a trustee or an organization already funded.
- • Willingness to accept general-purpose / unrestricted support.
Geography
Observed grants in the latest year reached 11 states plus recipients in Mexico and Ontario, with only about 10% of dollars staying in the foundation’s home state and a single state accounting for roughly 20% of 2024 giving.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 21 distinct recipients and a large influx of new grantees (18 new in 2024), and across three years the portfolio includes many independent charities rather than a tiny closed list despite some top-five dollar concentration.
New Applicants
Behaviorally the foundation added many new recipients in the latest year, which shows new entrants can be funded, but the foundation also states grants are to preselected organizations and no public application route is provided, so access for unfamiliar applicants appears plausible mainly via introductions or relationships.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
