Grants paid by The Knowles Foundation
EIN 36-6051968 · Chicago, IL · Form 990-PF, Part XV
The Knowles Foundation of Chicago, IL (EIN 36-6051968) reported 121 grants paid totaling $6,299,500 to 24 recipients in tax years 2020–2024, on Form 990-PF, Part XV. Derived from IRS e-file data, dataset version 2026.09.0, built 2026-09-03.
Grants paid
$6,299,500
121 grants
Recipients
24
distinct organizations
Tax years
2020–2024
5 filings in the corpus
By tax year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Amount paid | Approved for future |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 25 | $1,055,000 | — |
| 2021 | 25 | $1,355,000 | — |
| 2022 | 25 | $1,305,000 | — |
| 2023 | 22 | $1,132,000 | — |
| 2024 | 24 | $1,452,500 | — |
Top recipients
The 24 recipients receiving the most from The Knowles Foundation, by grants paid, out of 24 distinct recipients.
| Recipient | Match | Location | Grants | Total paid | Latest year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merit School of Music 36-3028768 | B | Chicago, IL | 12 | $666,000 | 2024 |
| Gigi's Playhouse | U | Hoffman Estates, IL | 5 | $480,000 | 2024 |
| Lyric Opera of Chicago 36-6008929 | B | Chicago, IL | 5 | $475,000 | 2024 |
| Loyola University Medical Center 36-4015560 | B | Mayhood, IL | 6 | $450,000 | 2024 |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital 36-3083197 | C | Elmhurst, IL | 5 | $450,000 | 2024 |
| Ray Graham Association | U | Lisle, IL | 5 | $415,000 | 2024 |
| Friends of the Chicago River 36-3559764 | C | Chicago, IL | 5 | $370,000 | 2024 |
| Chicago Architecture Center 36-6144362 | C | Chicago, IL | 5 | $340,000 | 2024 |
| Adler Planetarium 36-6210902 | B | Chicago, IL | 6 | $315,000 | 2024 |
| Foundation of Hearing and Speech Rehabiliation 36-6082810 | D | Chicago, IL | 13 | $313,500 | 2024 |
| The Field Museum | U | Chicago, IL | 5 | $250,000 | 2024 |
| Museum of Science and Industry 36-2167797 | B | Chicago, IL | 5 | $235,000 | 2024 |
| Greater Chicago Food Despository 36-2971864 | C | Chicago, IL | 5 | $210,000 | 2024 |
| Shedd Aquarium Society 36-2167918 | B | Chicago, IL | 5 | $210,000 | 2024 |
| Hinsdale Junior Womans Club 36-6087200 | C | Hinsdale, IL | 4 | $190,000 | 2024 |
| Shirley Ryan Ability Lab 36-2256036 | B | Chicago, IL | 3 | $175,000 | 2024 |
| Shirley Ryan Abilitylab | U | Chicago, IL | 2 | $150,000 | 2022 |
| Lincoln Park Zoo 36-4032280 | C | Chicago, IL | 5 | $150,000 | 2024 |
| Alliance for the Great Lakes 23-7104524 | B | Chicago, IL | 5 | $145,000 | 2024 |
| The Mayo Foundation | U | Rochester, MN | 4 | $100,000 | 2023 |
| Special Children's Charities 23-7026774 | B | Chicago, IL | 3 | $95,000 | 2022 |
| Northwestern University 36-2167817 | B | Evanston, IL | 5 | $50,000 | 2024 |
| The Art Institute of Chicago 36-2167725 | B | Chicago, IL | 2 | $50,000 | 2021 |
| The Service Club of Chicago 36-6055873 | B | Chicago, IL | 1 | $15,000 | 2020 |
Match tier: A Reported EIN · B Exact name and place · C Strong name match · D Probable name match · U Unresolved. Tiers C and D are inferred, not reported; see how matching works.
Every grant
All 121 grant rows this organization reported, most recent first.
| Tax year | Recipient | Match | Amount | Type | Purpose | Source filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | B | $187,500 | paid | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Ray Graham Association Lisle, IL | U | $100,000 | paid | HANSON CENTER | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Gigi's Playhouse Inc Hoffman Estates, IL | U | $100,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Lyric Opera of Chicago Chicago, IL | B | $100,000 | paid | STUDENT AND FAMILY PERFORMANCES FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL | C | $75,000 | paid | BREAST HEALTH PROGRAM | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Loyola University Medical Center Mayhood, IL | B | $75,000 | paid | NURSING FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Friends of the Chicago River Chicago, IL | C | $75,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Chicago Architecture Center Chicago, IL | C | $75,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Adler Planetarium Chicago, IL | B | $70,000 | paid | SCHOOL EXPERIENCES PROGRAM | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | B | $68,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, IL | B | $50,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | The Field Museum Chicago, IL | U | $50,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Hinsdale Junior Womans Club Hinsdale, IL | C | $50,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Greater Chicago Food Depository Hoffman Estates, IL | B | $50,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Ray Graham Association Lisle, IL | U | $50,000 | paid | ABLE CAMPAIGN | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Chicago, IL | B | $50,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Shedd Aquarium Society Chicago, IL | B | $50,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Foundation for Hearing and Speech Research Chicago, IL | D | $32,000 | paid | MUSIC TO MY EARS PROGRAM | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | B | $32,000 | paid | MUSIC TO MY EARS PROGRAM | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Alliance for the Great Lakes Chicago, IL | B | $30,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, IL | C | $30,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Foundation for Hearing and Speech Research Chicago, IL | D | $28,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Foundation for Hearing and Speech Research Chicago, IL | D | $15,000 | paid | MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM | 202532209349101108 |
| 2024 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL | B | $10,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202532209349101108 |
| 2023 | Gigi's Playhouse Inc Hoffman Estates, IL | U | $100,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Lyric Opera of Chicago Chicago, IL | B | $100,000 | paid | STUDENT AND FAMILY PERFORMANCES FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Chicago Architecture Center Chicago, IL | C | $75,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Friends of the Chicago River Chicago, IL | C | $75,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL | C | $75,000 | paid | BREAST HEALTH PROGRAM | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Loyola University Medical Center Mayhood, IL | B | $75,000 | paid | NURSING FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Adler Planetarium Chicago, IL | B | $70,000 | paid | SCHOOL EXPERIENCES PROGRAM | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | B | $68,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Chicago, IL | B | $50,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Hinsdale Junior Womans Club Hinsdale, IL | C | $50,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Shedd Aquarium Society Chicago, IL | B | $50,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, IL | B | $50,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | The Field Museum Chicago, IL | U | $50,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Greater Chicago Food Depository Hoffman Estates, IL | B | $40,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | B | $33,000 | paid | MUSIC TO MY EARS PROGRAM | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources Chicago, IL | D | $33,000 | paid | MUSIC TO MY EARS PROGRAM | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, IL | C | $30,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Alliance for the Great Lakes Chicago, IL | B | $30,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources Chicago, IL | D | $28,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | The Mayo Foundation Rochester, MN | U | $25,000 | paid | MAYO CLINIC SIMULATION CENTER | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources Chicago, IL | D | $15,000 | paid | MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM | 202412149349100006 |
| 2023 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL | B | $10,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202412149349100006 |
| 2022 | Loyola University Medical Center Mayhood, IL | B | $100,000 | paid | Nursing Fund | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Lyric Opera of Chicago Chicago, IL | B | $100,000 | paid | Student and Family Performances Fund | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL | C | $100,000 | paid | Nursing Program | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Ray Graham Association Lisle, IL | U | $100,000 | paid | Hanson Center | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Gigi's Playhouse Inc Hoffman Estates, IL | U | $100,000 | paid | General Fund | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Shirley Ryan Abilitylab Chicago, IL | U | $75,000 | paid | General Fund | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Friends of the Chicago River Chicago, IL | C | $75,000 | paid | Music To My Ears Program | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Chicago Architecture Center Chicago, IL | C | $75,000 | paid | General Fund | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Adler Planetarium Chicago, IL | B | $70,000 | paid | School Experiences Program | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | B | $60,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Shedd Aquarium Society Chicago, IL | B | $50,000 | paid | General Fund | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, IL | B | $50,000 | paid | General Fund | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | The Field Museum Chicago, IL | U | $50,000 | paid | General Fund | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Hinsdale Junior Womans Club Hinsdale, IL | C | $45,000 | paid | General Fund | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Greater Chicago Food Depository Hoffman Estates, IL | B | $40,000 | paid | General Fund | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Alliance for the Great Lakes Chicago, IL | B | $30,000 | paid | General Fund | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, IL | C | $30,000 | paid | General Fund | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources Chicago, IL | D | $27,500 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | The Mayo Foundation Rochester, MN | U | $25,000 | paid | Mayo Clinic Simulation Center | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Special Children's Charites Chicago, IL | C | $25,000 | paid | General Fund | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources Chicago, IL | D | $22,500 | paid | Music To My Ears Program | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | B | $22,500 | paid | Music To My Ears Program | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Foundation for Hearing and Speech Resources Chicago, IL | D | $15,000 | paid | MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL | B | $10,000 | paid | General Fund | 202342229349100329 |
| 2022 | Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | B | $7,500 | paid | MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM | 202342229349100329 |
| 2021 | Gigi's Playhouse Hoffman Estates, IL | U | $100,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Loyola University Medical Center Mayhood, IL | B | $100,000 | paid | Nursing Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Lyric Opera of Chicago Chicago, IL | B | $100,000 | paid | Student and Family Performances Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL | C | $100,000 | paid | Nursing Program | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Ray Graham Association Lisle, IL | U | $100,000 | paid | Hanson Center | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | B | $90,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Friends of the Chicago River Chicago, IL | C | $75,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Chicago, IL | B | $75,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Chicago Architecture Center Chicago, IL | C | $75,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, IL | B | $50,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | The Field Museum Chicago, IL | U | $50,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Shedd Aquarium Society Chicago, IL | B | $50,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Hinsdale Junior Woman's Club Hinsdale, IL | C | $45,000 | paid | GENERAL FUND | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Greater Chicago Food Despository Hoffman Estates, IL | C | $40,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Foundation of Hearing and Speech Rehabiliation Chicago, IL | D | $40,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Special Children's Charities Chicago, IL | B | $35,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Adler Planetarium Chicago, IL | B | $35,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Adler Planetarium Chicago, IL | B | $35,000 | paid | Virtual Field Trip Program | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Alliance for the Great Lakes Chicago, IL | B | $30,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, IL | C | $30,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | The Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL | B | $25,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | The Mayo Foundation Rochester, MN | U | $25,000 | paid | Mayo Clinic Simulation Center | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Foundation of Hearing and Speech Rehabiliation Chicago, IL | D | $20,000 | paid | Music To My Ears Program | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | B | $20,000 | paid | Music To My Ears Program | 202222229349101107 |
| 2021 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL | B | $10,000 | paid | General Fund | 202222229349101107 |
| 2020 | Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL | C | $100,000 | paid | Sonifi and Hospital at Home Programs | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Gigi's Playhouse Hoffman Estates, IL | U | $80,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Shirley Ryan Abilitylab Chicago, IL | U | $75,000 | paid | COVID Relief Fund and Charity Research and Care | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Lyric Opera of Chicago Chicago, IL | B | $75,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Friends of the Chicago River Chicago, IL | C | $70,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | B | $65,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Ray Graham Association Lisle, IL | U | $65,000 | paid | Hanson Center | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Loyola University Medical Center Mayhood, IL | B | $57,500 | paid | Vital Signs Machines | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | The Field Museum Chicago, IL | U | $50,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Loyola University Medical Center Mayhood, IL | B | $42,500 | paid | Merci Radio System | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Greater Chicago Food Despository Chicago, IL | C | $40,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Chicago Architecture Center Chicago, IL | C | $40,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, IL | B | $35,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Special Children's Charities Chicago, IL | B | $35,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Adler Planetarium Chicago, IL | B | $35,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, IL | C | $30,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Alliance for the Great Lakes Chicago, IL | B | $25,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | The Mayo Foundation Rochester, MN | U | $25,000 | paid | Mayo Clinic Simulation Center | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | The Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL | B | $25,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Foundation of Hearing and Speech Rehabiliation Chicago, IL | D | $25,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | The Service Club of Chicago Chicago, IL | B | $15,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Foundation of Hearing and Speech Rehabiliation Chicago, IL | D | $12,500 | paid | Music to My Ears Program | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | B | $12,500 | paid | Music to My Ears Program | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Northwestern University Evanston, IL | B | $10,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
| 2020 | Shedd Aquarium Society Chicago, IL | B | $10,000 | paid | General Fund | 202132029349100308 |
Match tier: A Reported EIN · B Exact name and place · C Strong name match · D Probable name match · U Unresolved. Tiers C and D are inferred, not reported; see how matching works.
Recipient matching for this dataset version has not yet completed its independent precision check. Tier A rows carry the EIN the filer reported; tiers B–D are the matcher's inference and should be read as leads until the check is published on the methodology page.
Source filings
Every figure above is traceable to one of these IRS e-file returns by its OBJECT_ID.
| Form | Tax year | Period end | Filed | Schema | IRS OBJECT_ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 990PF | 2024 | 2024-09-30 | not stated | 2023v6.0 | 202532209349101108 |
| 990PF | 2023 | 2023-09-30 | not stated | 2022v5.0 | 202412149349100006 |
| 990PF | 2022 | 2022-09-30 | not stated | 2021v4.2 | 202342229349100329 |
| 990PF | 2021 | 2021-09-30 | not stated | 2020v4.1 | 202222229349101107 |
| 990PF | 2020 | 2020-09-30 | not stated | 2019v5.2 | 202132029349100308 |
Derived from IRS Form 990-PF e-file XML; recipient identities from the IRS Exempt Organizations Business Master File. Dataset version 2026.09.0, built 2026-09-03. The same rows as Parquet: manifest; as JSON: /api/funders/366051968.json.
The same organization elsewhere in the program: exempt status and filing health · federal awards · grant guidance · open opportunities.
This is informational only, derived from public data on the dates shown. It is not an eligibility determination, and not legal, tax, or accounting advice. Verify against the official source before relying on it.