A. Montgomery Ward Foundation

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OVERVIEW: The A. Montgomery Ward Foundation supports arts, culture, humanities and education in Chicago and the surrounding communities.

IP TAKE: This funder supports a broad variety of arts and culture organizations. The foundation accepts unsolicited applications with deadlines on April 15 and October 15 of each year.

PROFILE: Established in 1959, the A. Montgomery Ward Foundation is a private foundation in Illinois. Marjorie Montgomery Ward Baker, the daughter of A. Montgomery Ward, established this foundation in her father’s name to support the local community. A. Montgomery Ward was the founder of the Chicago-based Montgomery Ward & Company in 1872 and had the revolutionary idea of a retail mailing catalog. He passed away at the age of 70 in 1913 and left a large portion of his estate to local higher education institutions. Managed by Bank of America’s Illinois office, the foundation’s grantmaking supports arts, culture, humanities and education.

This funder aims to support the current and future residents of the Chicago areas with cultural programming and educational opportunities. Areas of recent interest include museums, recordings for the blind and dyslexic, programs for children from birth to age five and treatment for families that have experienced child abuse and neglect. The funder also regularly funds social service programs that benefit women, youth and families. Past local grantees include the Chicago Botanical Garden, Margaret’s Village, Sit Stay Read and Neumann Family Services.

Foundation grants often range between $5,000 and $25,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving by examining its recent tax records. Grantmaking focuses on Chicago and the Greater Chicago area. Its grants are typically for one-year periods.

This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. The annual application deadlines are April 15 and October 15, and applicants can expect to hear back with a funding decision by June 30 and December 3. Grantseekers must use the Bank of America online system to apply for a grant. Direct general questions to the staff at ilgrantmaking@ustrust.com or 312-828-2055.

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