Alphawood Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $10,350,162 (2024)
• Total Assets: $70.1M (2022)
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $500,000
• Geographic Focus: Chicago metropolitan region (with exceptions for archaeology)
• Application Type: Invitation only with inquiry process

Contact Details

• Website: alphawoodfoundation.org
• Phone: 773-477-8984
• Address: 2401 N Halsted St Ste 210, Chicago, IL 60614-2451
• Inquiry Portal: alphawood.smartsimple.com

Overview

Alphawood Foundation is a Chicago-based private foundation established in 1991 by Fred Eychaner, businessman and chairman of Newsweb Corporation. With assets of $70.1 million and annual giving exceeding $10 million, Alphawood works toward an equitable, just, and humane society. The foundation generally provides unrestricted general operating support to small- to medium-sized progressive nonprofit organizations that demonstrate both programmatic and managerial effectiveness. Since 2021, Alphawood has awarded 440 individual grants totaling $28 million. Recent major grants include a $2 million gift to Illinois Institute of Technology to establish an accredited arboretum on the historic Mies Campus and over $2.2 million to SOAS University of London to support the SOAS-Alphawood Postgraduate Diploma in Asian Art program.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Alphawood Foundation supports organizations across eight key focus areas, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $500,000. The foundation provides primarily unrestricted general operating support rather than project-specific funding.

Legal Services & Advocacy Supports 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.

Empowering Communities of Color Funds organizations founded by, for, and with communities of color using effective mechanisms—including advocacy, organizing, and the arts—to lift up and empower traditionally marginalized groups.

LGBTQ+ Rights and Education Supports 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.

LGBTQ+ Health and HIV Prevention Funds organizations expanding and improving LGBTQ+ affirming health care and those working to treat and prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS. Notable early support includes an important $1 million commitment that helped establish Center on Halsted, the largest LGBTQ community center in the Midwest.

Arts Empowerment Supports organizations using the arts as a way of overcoming barriers to access and advancement; and those empowering communities through artistic development and expression.

Preserving Built Environment 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.

Archaeology Supports archaeological research and education (this program area has broader geographic scope beyond Chicago).

General Interest Additional initiatives that align with the foundation's mission of creating an equitable, just, and humane society.

Priority Areas

With the exception of archaeology funding, grantmaking prioritizes the Chicago area and organizations serving residents of the Chicago metropolitan region. The foundation has a strong preference for supporting small- to medium-sized progressive organizations through unrestricted general operating grants.

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals
• Film, television or radio production
• Underwriting or tables for special events
• Religious or fraternal purposes
• Political campaigns

Governance and Leadership

Founder & Chairman: Fred Eychaner - President of Alphawood Foundation and Chairman of Newsweb Corporation. Known for his philanthropy in support of LGBTQ organizations, HIV support organizations, arts institutions, public spaces, and historic preservation. Inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame.

Executive Director: Chirag G. Badlani - Appointed November 2021, succeeding Jim McDonough who retired after leading the foundation since 2012. Badlani has stated: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead an organization which has had an immeasurable impact on so many progressive issues I care deeply about. I am beyond excited to work with the Alphawood Foundation Board, founder Fred Eychaner, and Jim McDonough to advance justice, support the arts, and address new challenges."

On the foundation's community approach, Badlani noted regarding the Illinois Tech Arboretum: "Our hope is for students, faculty, staff, and the community to come together to further cultivate and preserve this incredible landscape—strengthening the ties between the historic campus and the Bronzeville community."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. Alphawood Foundation's funding is by invitation only, and they do not accept uninvited applications for funding. The foundation cannot acknowledge or return unsolicited materials.

However, organizations that believe their mission matches one or more of Alphawood's grantmaking priorities may submit their information through an online inquiry form at alphawood.smartsimple.com.

Important Notes on Inquiry Submission:

• Submission does not constitute an undertaking to provide funding or engage in further dialogue
• The foundation regrets they cannot respond to all inquiries
• Only a limited number of new grantees can be invited each year
• Prospective new applicants must demonstrate a very strong match between their work and the foundation's priorities and guidelines

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
• Strong preference for organizations serving residents of the Chicago metropolitan region

Getting on Their Radar

Alphawood identifies potential grantees through their rolling inquiry system rather than open networking events. Organizations should:

• Submit a detailed inquiry through the online portal at alphawood.smartsimple.com demonstrating clear alignment with one of the eight priority areas
• Review the foundation's existing grantees in your sector to understand the types of organizations they support (available through their website and 990 forms)
• Ensure your organization fits the foundation's preference for small- to medium-sized progressive organizations with clear missions and demonstrated programmatic and managerial effectiveness

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. The foundation operates on a rolling basis for reviewing inquiries from prospective new grantees.

Success Rates

In 2024, Alphawood made 104 grants totaling $10,350,162. Over the last fiscal year reported, they awarded $6.3 million in support to 126 organizations. The foundation can only invite a limited number of new grantees each year due to their focus on supporting existing grantee partners with ongoing general operating support.

Reapplication Policy

Information about reapplication policies for unsuccessful inquiry submissions is not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

Strong Mission Alignment Required: The foundation explicitly states that prospective applicants "must demonstrate a very strong match between their work and the Foundation's priorities and guidelines." Organizations should carefully review all eight priority areas and ensure clear alignment before submitting an inquiry.

Unrestricted General Operating Support Preference: Alphawood provides "unrestricted, general operating support to non-profit organizations operating with a clear mission and demonstrating both programmatic and managerial effectiveness." Applications should emphasize organizational capacity and effectiveness rather than specific projects.

Small- to Medium-Sized Progressive Organizations: The foundation "tends to support small- to medium-sized progressive organizations." Large, well-established institutions may be less competitive unless they represent exceptional mission alignment.

Chicago Geographic Focus: Alphawood has "a strong preference for organizations serving residents of the Chicago metropolitan region" (with the exception of archaeology grants). Organizations outside this area should only submit inquiries if they have compelling reasons for geographic exception.

Examples of Recently Funded Organizations:

• Arts: People's Music School, Giordano Dance Chicago, Jazz Institute of Chicago, Chicago Public Art Group
• Architecture & Preservation: Landmarks Illinois, Preservation Chicago, Glessner House, Four Freedoms Park Conservancy
• Legal Services: Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Impact for Equity, Beyond Legal Aid, Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation
• Social Justice: University of Chicago's Institute of Politics, Chicago Workers Collaborative, Planned Parenthood of Illinois
• LGBTQ+: AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Center on Halsted

Strategic Advice from Experts: According to Inside Philanthropy, "reviewing the foundation's past grantees can give grantseekers a clear idea about whether or not their goals align with those of the foundation." Study the 990 forms and grantee lists before submitting an inquiry.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Invitation-only process: Do not expect an open application opportunity. Submit an inquiry only if you have exceptional mission alignment with one of the eight priority areas.
• Geographic preference is critical: Chicago-area organizations have a significant advantage unless working in archaeology.
• Unrestricted support is the norm: Alphawood provides general operating grants ($5,000-$500,000), not project funding, so emphasize organizational effectiveness and mission.
• Limited new grantee capacity: The foundation can only invite a limited number of new organizations annually, making competition very high for inquiry submissions.
• Progressive values essential: The foundation explicitly seeks progressive organizations working toward an equitable, just, and humane society.
• Study existing grantees: Review the foundation's current portfolio to understand the size, scope, and character of organizations they support.
• Demonstrate effectiveness: The foundation prioritizes organizations with "clear mission" and "both programmatic and managerial effectiveness"—be prepared to demonstrate strong organizational capacity.

References

• Alphawood Foundation official website: alphawoodfoundation.org (accessed January 2025)
• Alphawood Foundation Inquiries page: alphawoodfoundation.org/inquiries (accessed January 2025)
• Foundation Directory (Candid): "Alphawood Foundation" profile at fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=WPWR001 (accessed January 2025)
• GuideStar Profile: "Alphawood Foundation" at guidestar.org/profile/36-3805338 (accessed January 2025)
• Inside Philanthropy: "Alphawood Foundation" at insidephilanthropy.com/find-a-grant/grants-a/alphawood-foundation (accessed January 2025)
• Cause IQ: "Alphawood Foundation" at causeiq.com/organizations/alphawood-foundation,363805338/ (accessed January 2025)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: "Alphawood Foundation" at projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/363805338 (accessed January 2025)
• Alphawood Foundation newsroom announcement: "Alphawood Foundation Chicago Announces New Executive Director Chirag G. Badlani" October 2021 at alphawoodfoundation.org/newsroom (accessed January 2025)
• Windy City Times: "Alphawood chooses LGBTQ+ individual to head foundation" October 20, 2021 (accessed January 2025)
• Illinois Institute of Technology: "Philanthropist, Business Leader, and LGBTQ Advocate, Fred Eychaner, Awarded Illinois Tech Honorary Doctorate" at iit.edu/news (accessed January 2025)
• Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame: "Fred Eychaner" profile at chicagolgbthalloffame.org/eychaner-fred/ (accessed January 2025)