Wieboldt Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Wieboldt Foundation awards grants to organizations working to empower the residents of low-income communities in the Chicago metropolitan area. Areas of interest include homelessness, civic engagement, capacity building and education.

IP TAKE: Wieboldt is an important source of funding for grassroots organizations in Chicago’s low-income areas. The foundation is open to hearing about the work of organizations working in its area of interest. Funding is limited to Chicago.

PROFILE: Established in 1921, the Wieboldt Foundation is the foundation of William A. and Anna K. Wieboldt. William Wieboldt was born in Germany and worked in his uncle’s general store before moving to America with his wife, Anna. The couple eventually started their own small store on Chicago's northwest side. At its peak in 1910, Wieboldt's original department store employed at least 700 people, expanded to 15 Chicago-area locations, and brought in $3 million in sales annually. When the Wieboldts established their foundation, their aim was to help “charities designed to put an end to the need for charity.” Today, the foundation supports organizations that work to support and transform Chicago’s low-income neighborhoods with an emphasis on empowerment and accountability.

Within its mandate of supporting low-income neighborhoods, Wieboldt prioritizes organizations and projects that increase the engagement of residents in civic processes and problem solving. Leadership development and the development of local organizations that increase communities’ capacity are also prioritized. Recent grantees have included organizations working in the areas of homelessness and housing, immigrants rights, elderly advocacy, education and civic engagement. The foundation does not support individuals, research, capital development or direct services of any kind.

Recent grants have been awarded in amounts between $8,000 and $30,000. Almost all grantees are small, grassroots organizations or collaborations of such organizations. Past grantees include the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Southside Together Organizing for Power, Jame Adams Senior Caucus, Communities United and Westside Rising. View a list of past grantees on the funder’s website. Grantmaking is limited to the Chicago metropolitan area.

The foundation does consider requests for support from organizations that are not current grantees. Prospective grantees working in the foundation’s area of interest should call Executive Director Regina McGraw or Associate Director Carmen Prieto for these requests. In the past, application deadlines have been in February for review in April, in April for review in June, in June for review in August, and in August for review in October. Grantseekers should direct questions to the staff at 312-786-9377, reginam@wieboldt.org, or carmenp@wieboldt.org.

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