Guidelines and
Frequently Asked Questions

Guidelines

The Bidwill Foundation supports 501c3 organizations that primarily work in the areas of Education and Intellectual and Developmental Disability. Though our funding is not exclusive to Chicago and Los Angeles, those are our primary focus communities, and any support outside of those areas are exceptions. As the Foundation grows, the areas of funding and opportunities may expand.

At this time, the Foundation does not have an open LOI or proposal process, and proposals are accepted by invitation only.

FAQ

  • What do you fund?

    The Foundation exists to help underserved individuals thrive, which has an additional impact on communities. We’ve historically focused our giving on educational programs and services for underserved youths.

    We anticipate expanding our funding to include both non-traditional educational pathways and non-education-related programs.

    What will always underpin our giving strategy is the belief in opportunities that help individuals overcome system barriers. In the future that may include more expansive giving areas.

  • Who do you fund?

    All funded organizations must be registered 501(c)3. All programs or grant opportunities must align with our values, and be designed to improve the outcomes of underserved individuals and populations.

    Outside of those requirements, we remain open to innovation and new programs.

  • What is the application process?

    At this time the foundation does not have an open LOI process, and all grants are by invitation. We pride ourselves on our deep, trusting relationship with grantees—and believe it is the secret sauce to success.

    To learn more, please contact us.

  • Do you provide multi-year support?

    The foundation is open to many types of support, including multi-year commitments. We trust our grantees to develop operations and program plans that best suit the needs of the organization those it serves. We recognize that meaningful change sometimes takes more than one year to see.

  • Does my program have to be previously funded?

    No. We value innovation, and aren’t afraid to be the first funder of a new idea or program. We also recognize that many funders aren’t as comfortable with unknowns—and want to fill that gap for organizations with a well-planned idea.

  • Do you fund general operating support?

    Yes! We beleive in being the least restrictive as possible in our funding partnerships. We know and trust our grantees and believe that creating administrative burdens or overly strict reporting guidelines can hinder success.

    While we value transparency, we also value trusting the individuals and professionals closest to the program. Sometimes, that means listening, learning, and then following their lead.