Field Foundation of Illinois
/OVERVIEW: The Field Foundation of Illinois supports justice, art, media and leadership development in the Chicago metro area.
IP TAKE: Social justice is the theme that runs through each of Field’s grant programs. The foundation’s newest program supports media and storytelling. This funder accepts letters of inquiry via its online portal.
PROFILE: Established in 1940, the Field Foundation of Illinois supports community, civic, and cultural organizations in the Chicago area through both new and existing programs. It is the foundation of Marshall Field III, grandson of the famous Chicago merchant who created the legendary Marshall Field department store that holds a nostalgic place in Chicago history. Marshall III was passionate about helping people through the Great Depression, endorsing New Deal policies and progressive activists during his lifetime. But what he is perhaps best known for is founding the Chicago Sun newspaper, which merged with the Chicago Times to become the Chicago Sun-Times we know today. After Field passed away, his foundation was divided into the Field Foundation of New York, to be led by his widow, and the Field Foundation of Illinois, to be led by his son, Marshall IV. The New York branch spent its assets down by 1989, but the Illinois branch remains a viable part of Chicago’s philanthropic community. The foundation aims grantmaking at “community empowerment through funding nonprofits working in justice, art, media and storytelling and leadership Investment.”
Field’s justice initiative aims to “level the playing field” in Chicago by addressing the causes of inequity. The foundation supports organizations working at the system and policy levels, as opposed to funding direct services. Areas of interest here include environmental concerns, health, housing and community organizing.
Art funding has recently prioritized community-based organizations that operate in “chronically divested communities” to create and voice cultural identities. Emerging artists, participant programs and public installations are areas of interest.
Field’s newer media and storytelling program maintains a similar focus, aiming to create “a more equitable, connected and inclusive local media ecosystem.” Funded projects include content creation, capacity building and training aimed at broadening the diversity of media professionals and personalities on the local scene.
In the area of leadership, Field funds programs that build the “social capital, skillsets, networks and exposure of new community leaders for Chicago. The program prioritizes diversity, equity and social justice.
Field grants typically range from $15,000 to $50,000. Some past grantees include the Chicago Latino Theater Alliance, First Defense Legal Aid, Warehouse Workers for Justice and the Arab American Action Network. View example grants on the funder’s website. Funding is mainly limited to Chicago.
The Field Foundation accepts unsolicited letters of inquiry. Program grants are given three times per year, while small grant proposals are accepted year-around. Find grant application procedures on the General guidelines page, and annual deadlines on the funder's website. There is an online portal to submit application information. Direct general questions to the staff via online form or by phone at 312-831-0910.
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