The Knowles Foundation | Foundation Profile

GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like The Knowles Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.

EIN: 36-6051968

Foundation Overview

Based in Chicago, IL, The Knowles Foundation has awarded 217 grants totaling $11,494,000 to organizations in Illinois and Minnesota. Individual grants range from $7,500 to $187,500, with a median award of $50,000.

Latest Tax Year
2023
Total Giving (all years)
$11,494,000
Total Assets
$27,450,941
Median Grant (all grants)
$50,000

Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot

Total Grants
48
Median Grant
$50,000
% No Significant Change
0% (vs previous year)
Data extracted from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Last filing year: March 2026

Foundation Intelligence

Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies

New Applicant Friendliness
Closed Network: 13%

6 of 48 recipients (13%) were new grantees. Foundation maintains tight relationships with established partners. New applicants rarely succeed without insider connections.

Geographic Focus
Illinois

97% of all grants are concentrated in Illinois, demonstrating highly focused geographic giving. This foundation prioritizes deep community impact in its primary service area. Within Illinois, funding concentrates in Chicago (70%), Hoffman Estates (8%), Mayhood (5%).

Funding Trajectory
+38%

Moderate 38% growth trend over 4 years suggests stable and gradually increasing funding capacity. This positive trajectory indicates reliable grant-making resources and sustainable philanthropic commitment.

Program Areas
General Purposes + 2 others

Diversified giving across multiple program areas with primary emphasis on general purposes (45%). This broad approach suggests openness to various causes and innovative cross-sector solutions.

Where is The Money Going?

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Grants & Funding

Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into The Knowles Foundation's funding preferences, organizational priorities, and grant making patterns. This historical data helps potential applicants understand the foundation's strategic focus and identify successful funding approaches.

Name Amount Location Purpose Year
Adler Planetarium $70,000 Chicago, IL, US School Experiences Program 2023
Alliance For The Great Lakes $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Chicago Architecture Center $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital $75,000 Elmhurst, IL, US Breast Health Program 2023
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Research $32,000 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2023
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Research $15,000 Chicago, IL, US Music Therapy Program 2023
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Research $28,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Ray Graham Association $100,000 Lisle, IL, US Hanson Center 2023
Ray Graham Association $50,000 Lisle, IL, US Able Campaign 2023
Friends Of The Chicago River $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Gigi's Playhouse Inc $100,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2023
Greater Chicago Food Depository $50,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2023
Hinsdale Junior Womans Club $50,000 Hinsdale, IL, US General Fund 2023
Lincoln Park Zoo $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Loyola University Medical Center $75,000 Mayhood, IL, US Nursing Fund 2023
Lyric Opera Of Chicago $100,000 Chicago, IL, US Student And Family Performances Fund 2023
Merit School Of Music $32,000 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2023
Merit School Of Music $68,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Merit School Of Music $187,500 Chicago, IL, US Capital Campaign 2023
Museum Of Science And Industry $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Northwestern University $10,000 Evanston, IL, US General Fund 2023
Shedd Aquarium Society $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
The Field Museum $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Adler Planetarium $70,000 Chicago, IL, US School Experiences Program 2023
Alliance For The Great Lakes $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Chicago Architecture Center $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital $75,000 Elmhurst, IL, US Breast Health Program 2023
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Research $32,000 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2023
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Research $15,000 Chicago, IL, US Music Therapy Program 2023
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Research $28,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Ray Graham Association $100,000 Lisle, IL, US Hanson Center 2023
Ray Graham Association $50,000 Lisle, IL, US Able Campaign 2023
Friends Of The Chicago River $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Gigi's Playhouse Inc $100,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2023
Greater Chicago Food Depository $50,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2023
Hinsdale Junior Womans Club $50,000 Hinsdale, IL, US General Fund 2023
Lincoln Park Zoo $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Loyola University Medical Center $75,000 Mayhood, IL, US Nursing Fund 2023
Lyric Opera Of Chicago $100,000 Chicago, IL, US Student And Family Performances Fund 2023
Merit School Of Music $32,000 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2023
Merit School Of Music $68,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Merit School Of Music $187,500 Chicago, IL, US Capital Campaign 2023
Museum Of Science And Industry $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Northwestern University $10,000 Evanston, IL, US General Fund 2023
Shedd Aquarium Society $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
The Field Museum $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2023
Adler Planetarium $70,000 Chicago, IL, US School Experiences Program 2022
Alliance For The Great Lakes $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Chicago Architecture Center $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital $75,000 Elmhurst, IL, US Breast Health Program 2022
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Resources $15,000 Chicago, IL, US Music Therapy Program 2022
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Resources $33,000 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2022
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Resources $28,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Friends Of The Chicago River $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Gigi's Playhouse Inc $100,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2022
Greater Chicago Food Depository $40,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2022
Hinsdale Junior Womans Club $50,000 Hinsdale, IL, US General Fund 2022
Lincoln Park Zoo $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Loyola University Medical Center $75,000 Mayhood, IL, US Nursing Fund 2022
Lyric Opera Of Chicago $100,000 Chicago, IL, US Student And Family Performances Fund 2022
Merit School Of Music $33,000 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2022
Merit School Of Music $68,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Museum Of Science And Industry $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Northwestern University $10,000 Evanston, IL, US General Fund 2022
Shedd Aquarium Society $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
The Field Museum $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
The Mayo Foundation $25,000 Rochester, MN, US Mayo Clinic Simulation Center 2022
Adler Planetarium $70,000 Chicago, IL, US School Experiences Program 2022
Alliance For The Great Lakes $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Chicago Architecture Center $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital $75,000 Elmhurst, IL, US Breast Health Program 2022
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Resources $15,000 Chicago, IL, US Music Therapy Program 2022
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Resources $33,000 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2022
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Resources $28,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Friends Of The Chicago River $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Gigi's Playhouse Inc $100,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2022
Greater Chicago Food Depository $40,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2022
Hinsdale Junior Womans Club $50,000 Hinsdale, IL, US General Fund 2022
Lincoln Park Zoo $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Loyola University Medical Center $75,000 Mayhood, IL, US Nursing Fund 2022
Lyric Opera Of Chicago $100,000 Chicago, IL, US Student And Family Performances Fund 2022
Merit School Of Music $33,000 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2022
Merit School Of Music $68,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Museum Of Science And Industry $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Northwestern University $10,000 Evanston, IL, US General Fund 2022
Shedd Aquarium Society $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
The Field Museum $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2022
The Mayo Foundation $25,000 Rochester, MN, US Mayo Clinic Simulation Center 2022
Adler Planetarium $70,000 Chicago, IL, US School Experiences Program 2021
Alliance For The Great Lakes $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Chicago Architecture Center $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital $100,000 Elmhurst, IL, US Nursing Program 2021
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Resources $22,500 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2021
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Resources $15,000 Chicago, IL, US Music Therapy Program 2021
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Resources $27,500 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Friends Of The Chicago River $75,000 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2021
Gigi's Playhouse Inc $100,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2021
Greater Chicago Food Depository $40,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2021
Hinsdale Junior Womans Club $45,000 Hinsdale, IL, US General Fund 2021
Lincoln Park Zoo $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Loyola University Medical Center $100,000 Mayhood, IL, US Nursing Fund 2021
Lyric Opera Of Chicago $100,000 Chicago, IL, US Student And Family Performances Fund 2021
Merit School Of Music $22,500 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2021
Merit School Of Music $7,500 Chicago, IL, US Music Therapy Program 2021
Merit School Of Music $60,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Museum Of Science And Industry $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Northwestern University $10,000 Evanston, IL, US General Fund 2021
Ray Graham Association $100,000 Lisle, IL, US Hanson Center 2021
Shedd Aquarium Society $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Shirley Ryan Abilitylab $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Special Children's Charites $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
The Field Museum $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
The Mayo Foundation $25,000 Rochester, MN, US Mayo Clinic Simulation Center 2021
Adler Planetarium $70,000 Chicago, IL, US School Experiences Program 2021
Alliance For The Great Lakes $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Chicago Architecture Center $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital $100,000 Elmhurst, IL, US Nursing Program 2021
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Resources $22,500 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2021
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Resources $15,000 Chicago, IL, US Music Therapy Program 2021
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Resources $27,500 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Friends Of The Chicago River $75,000 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2021
Gigi's Playhouse Inc $100,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2021
Greater Chicago Food Depository $40,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2021
Hinsdale Junior Womans Club $45,000 Hinsdale, IL, US General Fund 2021
Lincoln Park Zoo $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Loyola University Medical Center $100,000 Mayhood, IL, US Nursing Fund 2021
Lyric Opera Of Chicago $100,000 Chicago, IL, US Student And Family Performances Fund 2021
Merit School Of Music $22,500 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2021
Merit School Of Music $7,500 Chicago, IL, US Music Therapy Program 2021
Merit School Of Music $60,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Museum Of Science And Industry $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Northwestern University $10,000 Evanston, IL, US General Fund 2021
Ray Graham Association $100,000 Lisle, IL, US Hanson Center 2021
Shedd Aquarium Society $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Shirley Ryan Abilitylab $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Special Children's Charites $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
The Field Museum $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
The Mayo Foundation $25,000 Rochester, MN, US Mayo Clinic Simulation Center 2021
Adler Planetarium $70,000 Chicago, IL, US School Experiences Program 2021
Alliance For The Great Lakes $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Chicago Architecture Center $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital $100,000 Elmhurst, IL, US Nursing Program 2021
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Resources $22,500 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2021
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Resources $15,000 Chicago, IL, US Music Therapy Program 2021
Foundation For Hearing And Speech Resources $27,500 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Friends Of The Chicago River $75,000 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2021
Gigi's Playhouse Inc $100,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2021
Greater Chicago Food Depository $40,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2021
Hinsdale Junior Womans Club $45,000 Hinsdale, IL, US General Fund 2021
Lincoln Park Zoo $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Loyola University Medical Center $100,000 Mayhood, IL, US Nursing Fund 2021
Lyric Opera Of Chicago $100,000 Chicago, IL, US Student And Family Performances Fund 2021
Merit School Of Music $22,500 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2021
Merit School Of Music $7,500 Chicago, IL, US Music Therapy Program 2021
Merit School Of Music $60,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Museum Of Science And Industry $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Northwestern University $10,000 Evanston, IL, US General Fund 2021
Ray Graham Association $100,000 Lisle, IL, US Hanson Center 2021
Shedd Aquarium Society $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Shirley Ryan Abilitylab $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
Special Children's Charites $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
The Field Museum $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2021
The Mayo Foundation $25,000 Rochester, MN, US Mayo Clinic Simulation Center 2021
Adler Planetarium $35,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
Adler Planetarium $35,000 Chicago, IL, US Virtual Field Trip Program 2020
Alliance For The Great Lakes $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
Chicago Architecture Center $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital $100,000 Elmhurst, IL, US Nursing Program 2020
Foundation Of Hearing And Speech Rehabiliation $20,000 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2020
Foundation Of Hearing And Speech Rehabiliation $40,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
Friends Of The Chicago River $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
Gigi's Playhouse $100,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2020
Greater Chicago Food Despository $40,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2020
Hinsdale Junior Woman's Club $45,000 Hinsdale, IL, US General Fund 2020
Lincoln Park Zoo $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
Loyola University Medical Center $100,000 Mayhood, IL, US Nursing Fund 2020
Lyric Opera Of Chicago $100,000 Chicago, IL, US Student And Family Performances Fund 2020
Merit School Of Music $20,000 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2020
Merit School Of Music $90,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
Museum Of Science And Industry $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
Northwestern University $10,000 Evanston, IL, US General Fund 2020
Ray Graham Association $100,000 Lisle, IL, US Hanson Center 2020
Shedd Aquarium Society $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
Shirley Ryan Ability Lab $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
Special Children's Charities $35,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
The Art Institute Of Chicago $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
The Field Museum $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2020
The Mayo Foundation $25,000 Rochester, MN, US Mayo Clinic Simulation Center 2020
Adler Planetarium $35,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2019
Alliance For The Great Lakes $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2019
Chicago Architecture Center $40,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2019
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital $100,000 Elmhurst, IL, US Sonifi And Hospital At Home Programs 2019
Foundation Of Hearing And Speech Rehabiliation $12,500 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2019
Foundation Of Hearing And Speech Rehabiliation $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2019
Friends Of The Chicago River $70,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2019
Gigi's Playhouse $80,000 Hoffman Estates, IL, US General Fund 2019
Greater Chicago Food Despository $40,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2019
Lincoln Park Zoo $30,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2019
Loyola University Medical Center $42,500 Mayhood, IL, US Merci Radio System 2019
Loyola University Medical Center $57,500 Mayhood, IL, US Vital Signs Machines 2019
Lyric Opera Of Chicago $75,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2019
Merit School Of Music $12,500 Chicago, IL, US Music To My Ears Program 2019
Merit School Of Music $65,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2019
Museum Of Science And Industry $35,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2019
Northwestern University $10,000 Evanston, IL, US General Fund 2019
Ray Graham Association $65,000 Lisle, IL, US Hanson Center 2019
Shedd Aquarium Society $10,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2019
Shirley Ryan Abilitylab $75,000 Chicago, IL, US Covid Relief Fund And Charity Research And Care 2019
Special Children's Charities $35,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2019
The Art Institute Of Chicago $25,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2019
The Field Museum $50,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2019
The Mayo Foundation $25,000 Rochester, MN, US Mayo Clinic Simulation Center 2019
The Service Club Of Chicago $15,000 Chicago, IL, US General Fund 2019

Foundations Similar to The Knowles Foundation

Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($26,561,926-$28,826,971), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in IL that may also align with your organization's funding needs and grant seeking strategy.

Foundation Name Total Assets Typical Grant Size Service Area Similarity Match

EIN: 84-5005583 | 37 grants awarded
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$25,000
median grant
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Same state
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EIN: 86-2088032 | 689 grants awarded
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$50,000
median grant
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100%
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EIN: 87-4069634 | 48 grants awarded
$27,958,942
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$30,000
median grant
Chicago, IL
Same state
99%
Excellent match

EIN: 13-3741659 | 160 grants awarded
$26,561,926
(≈ Similar)
$50,000
median grant
Chicago, IL
Same state
98%
Excellent match

EIN: 36-3256613 | 255 grants awarded
$28,826,971
(≈ Similar)
$25,567
median grant
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Contact Information

Official contact details for The Knowles Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.

EIN 36-6051968
Website N/A
Address 200 S MICHIGAN AVE STE 1100 Chicago, IL 60604-2461

Key People (3)

Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee The Knowles Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.

Dir/treas/sec
Director/president
Director

Forms 990-PF

IRS Form 990-PF filings provide comprehensive financial information, grant details, and operational data. These documents are essential resources for understanding foundation capacity, giving patterns, and strategic priorities.

Form 990-PF Research Tips
  • Review Part XV for detailed grant recipient information and funding purposes
  • Check Part I for total assets, annual giving amounts, and payout requirements
  • Examine Part VIII for key personnel compensation and board structure
  • Look for trends across multiple years to understand giving patterns

About This Foundation Profile

This comprehensive foundation profile for The Knowles Foundation is powered by Grant Bay's advanced foundation research platform. Our system analyzes IRS Form 990-PF filings, grant histories, and philanthropic patterns to provide nonprofit organizations with actionable intelligence for grant seeking success.

Data Sources & Accuracy

All information is derived from official IRS filings and public records. Grant Bay processes thousands of Form 990-PF documents to extract grant details, financial data, and organizational information. Data accuracy depends on foundation reporting quality and IRS filing completeness.

Research Applications

Use this profile for prospect research, grant strategy development, application preparation, and relationship building. Combine this data with additional research on foundation priorities, application processes, and board member backgrounds for comprehensive grant seeking strategies.

Data Currency: Last updated March 2026 based on IRS Form 990-PF filings. Foundation information reflects most recent available tax year data.