Walder Foundation
Annual Giving
$24.4M+9% YoY
Grants
200
Median Grant
$78K
Organizations Funded
204
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Foundation Overview
Mission
Champions Chicago and invests in science innovation, environmental sustainability, the performing arts, migration and immigrant communities, and Jewish life to uplift local communities and elevate our region's contributions to the world. Guided by the values inherent in their founders' Orthodox Jewish faith: humility, optimism, unity, collaboration, a trust in God's plan, and a commitment to give back.
Focus Areas
Grant Types
Funded Initiatives
$5 Million in Grants to Advance Chicago-Based Efforts to Protect and Conserve Biodiversity Around the World; Meeting the Moment grants for Chicago's performing arts industry including Eighth Blackbird's Creative Lab program; Two-year grants of $50,000 to $300,000 for innovative ideas responding to capacity-building needs affecting small and midsize performing arts organizations; 2026 Biota Awards for early-career researchers in Illinois
How to Apply
Invitation only funding. Uses foundationConnect and akoyaGO grants management systems. Must create account using organization's EIN. Confirmation email from grants@walderfoundation.org. Must be Section 501(c)(3) organizations classified as Section 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2) public charity, or projects within qualifying fiscal sponsors. Must be located in greater Chicago metropolitan region or work centered on Chicago communities.
Does Not Fund
Religious activities, political campaigns, lobbying; Projects to influence legislation or elections; Basic social services supported by government; Community/civic/volunteer performing arts groups who do not compensate artists; General operating support for performing arts (excluding indirect costs); Groups legally/financially/operationally part of institutions with budgets over $5 million; Projects perpetuating hate, discrimination, or intolerance
Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.
Giving History
$24.4M
Grants
200
Median
$78K
States
16
$22.5M
Grants
208
Median
$90K
States
18
$19.6M
Grants
135
Median
$120K
States
13
Grant Size Distribution
$78K
Typical Grant (Median)
$5K
Smallest
$50K
25th Pctile
$100K
75th Pctile
$2.3M
Largest
Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $50K and $100K.
Largest Recent Grants
$2.3M
2024
JEWISH FEDERATION OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO
IL · Arie Crown Hebrew Day School Capital Project
$1.5M
2024
LUBAVITCH GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL INC
IL · Capital Expenses for Construction of a New School building
$500K
2024
HILLEL TORAH NORTH SUBURBAN DAY SCHOOL
IL · Hillel Torah Campus Expansion and Renovation
$483K
2024
LINCOLN PARK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
IL · Global expansion of Chicago-led urban biodiversity research and conservation network
$450K
2024
ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES
IL · Chicago(land) Flooding and Sanitation Equity Initiative
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.