Northwestern University
Private foundation ILEIN 36-2167817
Northwestern University is a private foundation based in IL (EIN 36-2167817). Its most recent IRS Form 990-PF filing reports about $122M in grants paid across 375 awards in 2023. Its largest giving areas are Education, Healthcare, Human Services. This profile is built from public 990-PF giving history — it reflects what the funder has actually funded, not an open call for proposals.
Funding capacity & financials (FY2023)
From Northwestern University's IRS Form 990. Assets show capacity; the giving rate shows how actively they deploy it (a private foundation must pay out ~5%/yr) — useful for sizing your ask.
Leadership & board
Officers, directors & key staff from Northwestern University's IRS Form 990 (Part VII).
Who does the Northwestern University fund?
The Northwestern University is a private foundation that awards grants nationally (and, in some cases, internationally). According to its most recent IRS Form 990-PF filing (FY2023), it paid about $122M across 375 grants, concentrated in Education, Healthcare, Human Services and Community Development.
What types of organizations does the Northwestern University fund?
The Northwestern University's recent grants went to nonprofits and institutions working in Education, Healthcare, Human Services and Community Development. Recent recipients include University of Chicago, University of Chicago, University of Chicago. Because giving is reported in aggregate on the 990-PF, the best signal of fit is the funder's giving history below.
How much does the Northwestern University give, and what is a typical grant?
In FY2023, the Northwestern University awarded about $122M across 375 grants — an average grant of about $326K and a median of about $63K.
Where does the Northwestern University award grants?
The Northwestern University awards grants nationally (and, in some cases, internationally), based on the locations of the recipient organizations in its 990-PF giving records.
Does the Northwestern University accept unsolicited grant applications?
Like most private foundations, the Northwestern University generally does not publish an open application cycle — many fund by invitation or through existing relationships. This profile reflects the funder's giving history from public IRS Form 990-PF filings, not an open call for proposals. Always confirm the Northwestern University's current guidelines before reaching out.
Who are recent Northwestern University grant recipients?
Recent Northwestern University grant recipients include University of Chicago ($14M); University of Chicago ($10M); University of Chicago ($8.6M); University of Illinois at Chicago ($6.1M); University of Illinois at Chicago ($5.7M); Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago ($5.7M). The full recipient list and giving history are available on GrantSonar.
Example Northwestern University grant recipients
A sample from the funder's 990-PF giving records. The full list is on GrantSonar.
| University of ChicagoIL | $14M |
| University of ChicagoIL | $10M |
| University of Chicago | $8.6M |
| University of Illinois at ChicagoIL | $6.1M |
| University of Illinois at ChicagoIL | $5.7M |
| Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago | $5.7M |
| Stanford University | $4.7M |
| University of Illinois at Chicago | $4.6M |
Based on the Northwestern University's public IRS Form 990-PF filings (most recent: FY2023). 990 data reflects giving history and typically lags 1–2 years; it is not an open call for proposals. Always confirm the funder's current guidelines before applying.
Built from 236,000+ U.S. grantmaking foundations and 4.6 million itemized grant records in public IRS Form 990 / 990-PF filings (135,000+ funders with itemized giving history).
See if the Northwestern University fits your organization
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