Square One Foundation
Annual Giving
$7.2M+39% YoY
Grants
77
Median Grant
$63K
Organizations Funded
84
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Foundation Overview
Mission
Square One Foundation's mission is to break down barriers and promote expanded access to economic and social opportunity for all Chicagoans. We strive to strengthen organizations and bring together people from all over the city to ensure everyone has a voice in shaping their future.
Focus Areas
Grant Types
Funded Initiatives
Pathways to Opportunity (K-12 education reform), Strengthening Democracy (democratic participation programs)
How to Apply
Two-stage process beginning with online Letter of Inquiry (LOI) for Pathways to Opportunity or Strengthening Democracy projects. Grants typically $25,000-$75,000.
Does Not Fund
social services; arts and culture; health; environment; organizations outside K-12 education and democracy focus areas
Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.
Giving History
$7.2M
Grants
77
Median
$63K
States
8
$5.2M
Grants
73
Median
$60K
States
8
$4.8M
Grants
57
Median
$54K
States
7
Grant Size Distribution
$63K
Typical Grant (Median)
$3K
Smallest
$50K
25th Pctile
$83K
75th Pctile
$1.5M
Largest
Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $50K and $83K.
Largest Recent Grants
$1.5M
2024
Jewish United Fund (JUF)
IL · General Purpose
$590K
2024
University of Chicago
IL · General Purpose
$300K
2024
William J Brennan Jr Center for Justice Inc
NY · General Purpose
$208K
2024
National Louis University
IL · GENERAL PURPOSE
$200K
2024
THE ELECTION CENTER
TX · GENERAL PURPOSE
Geographic Focus
Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.
Financial Overview
Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets
Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.