Alphawood Foundation Chicago does not accept unsolicited grant applications. Interested organizations are invited to review the following guidelines describing our current areas of interest. If you believe your organization or mission matches one or more of our grantmaking priorities, you may provide your information to us using the form at the bottom of this page. We regret we cannot undertake to respond to all such inquiries.
Alphawood Foundation Chicago’s funding generally provides unrestricted, general operating support to non-profit organizations operating with a clear mission and demonstrating both programmatic and managerial effectiveness.
To be eligible to receive a grant from Alphawood Foundation Chicago, an organization must be exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, Alphawood has a strong preference for organizations serving residents of the Chicago metropolitan region.
Funding is focused in the following areas:
Arts Empowerment
Alphawood Foundation Chicago funds organizations using the arts as a way of overcoming barriers to access and advancement; and those empowering communities through artistic development and expression.
LGBTQ+ Health and HIV Prevention
Alphawood Foundation Chicago funds organizations expanding and improving LGBTQ+ affirming health care and those working to treat and prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS.
LGBTQ+ Rights and Education
Alphawood Foundation Chicago funds organizations working to secure the rights and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities; and organizations enhancing the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community.
Empowering Communities of Color
Alphawood Foundation Chicago funds organizations using effective mechanisms—including advocacy, organizing, and the arts—to lift up and empower traditionally marginalized groups.
Legal Services & Advocacy
Alphawood Foundation Chicago funds legal services organizations working to provide access to justice, alleviate poverty, expand the rights of immigrants, and promote social change; and organizations whose advocacy activities advance responsive and accountable policies and institutions.
Preserving the Built Environment
Alphawood Foundation Chicago funds organizations whose primary mission honors, promotes, and sustains the built environment, including those promoting the preservation and protection of historic resources through advocacy, education, fund raising, and/or stewardship.
General Interest
Alphawood Foundation Chicago values a safe, just, and equitable society; equal access and opportunity; healthy and sustainable communities; and a vibrant creative arts sector. Our funding supports organizations furthering these values.
Our General Interest funding includes support for an extensive Southeast Asian art history program at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London, including scholarship funding for over 100 students from Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia to pursue diploma studies and masters degrees at SOAS.
Archaeology
Alphawood Foundation Chicago supports Maya archeological research with a primary focus on fieldwork in Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico.
Funding Limitations
Alphawood Foundation does not provide grants to individuals; film, television or radio production; underwriting or tables for special events; religious or fraternal purposes; or political campaigns. Proposals from organizations not currently funded by the Alphawood Foundation are accepted by invitation only. Prospective new applicants for funding must demonstrate a very strong match between their work and the Foundation’s priorities and guidelines, and even then, we are only able to invite a limited number of new grantees each year.
If you wish to provide information about your organization to Alphawood Foundation Chicago, please complete the following form. Our acceptance of your information does not constitute an undertaking to provide funding or to engage in further dialogue with you. Due to resource constraints, we cannot entertain additional inquiries or contacts. Thank you for your interest.