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Childrens Care Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.3M
Grant Range
$100K - $0.9M

Childrens Care Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.3 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: $100,000 - $875,000
  • Median Grant: $170,000
  • Total Assets: $68 million
  • Geographic Focus: Metropolitan Chicago, Illinois
  • Number of Grants: 8-10 grants per year

Contact Details

Address: 307 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1005, Chicago, IL

Phone: (312) 201-0540

Website: www.childrenscarefoundation.org

Primary Contact: Robert Campbell, Executive Director

Overview

The Childrens Care Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, established to provide charitable grants limited to the benefit of poor and needy children in the metropolitan Chicago area. With approximately $68 million in assets, the foundation distributes around $3 million annually through a focused portfolio of 8-10 grants. The foundation operates with a deliberate strategy of making substantial grants to a limited number of organizations, prioritizing community-based healthcare and health services for medically underserved poor children in metropolitan Chicago. Their approach emphasizes accountable results and long-term partnerships with healthcare institutions and organizations serving vulnerable children.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate distinct grant programs but rather provides general operating support and program-specific funding based on organizational need and alignment with priorities.

Grant Range: $100,000 - $875,000 Median Grant Size: $170,000 Annual Grant Portfolio: 8-10 awards Application Method: Rolling basis, no formal application form

Priority Areas

The foundation's funding interests focus on programmatic services that deliver accountable results in the following areas:

  • Access to primary pediatric and related child healthcare - Priority given to community-based health care and health services for medically underserved poor children
  • Child abuse prevention and intervention programs
  • Educational and youth development initiatives
  • Social services for children and families
  • Delinquency prevention programs

Recent Funding Examples (2023):

  • Humboldt Park Health: $875,054
  • Saint Bernard Hospital: $750,000
  • Loyola University Medical Center: $453,217

The foundation demonstrates a clear preference for supporting healthcare delivery organizations, particularly hospitals, health centers, and medical facilities that serve poor and underserved children in the Chicago metropolitan area.

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly documented, geographic restrictions are clear:

  • Geographic Limitation: Support is limited to organizations that benefit children in the state of Illinois, with emphasis on metropolitan Chicago
  • Organizations outside Illinois are not eligible

Governance and Leadership

Board Officers:

  • Michael Reed - President
  • George S. Trees Jr. - Vice President
  • Roxanne M. Warble - Treasurer/CFO (Compensated: $187,382)
  • Robert L. Campbell - Assistant Secretary/Treasurer/Executive Director (Compensated: $218,432)

The foundation operates with a small, focused leadership team. The executive director and CFO are compensated positions, reflecting hands-on management of the foundation's operations and grant portfolio.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Childrens Care Foundation does not have a formal application form. Organizations interested in grant support should prepare and submit the following materials:

Required Application Materials:

  • Executive summary
  • Problem description and statement of need
  • Organization background, including staff qualifications, programs, and accomplishments
  • List of officers and directors
  • Expected results and measurable outcomes
  • Detailed financial information, including:
    • Operating budgets
    • Project budgets (if applicable)
    • Financial statements
  • List of corporate and foundation donors with funding levels
  • Promotional materials or annual reports

Submission: Contact Robert Campbell at (312) 201-0540 to discuss your organization's eligibility and application approach.

Decision Timeline

The foundation has not publicly disclosed typical decision timelines. Given the small number of annual grants (8-10), the foundation appears to operate on a selective, invitation-focused model rather than a high-volume competitive process.

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, the foundation's grant-making pattern suggests:

  • Small number of annual awards (8-10 grants)
  • Substantial grant amounts (median $170,000)
  • Potential for repeat funding to established partners
  • Highly selective process focused on organizations with proven track records in serving medically underserved children

Reapplication Policy

No specific reapplication policy is publicly documented. Organizations should contact the foundation directly to discuss future funding opportunities.

Application Success Factors

While the foundation has not published explicit guidance for applicants, the following factors appear critical based on their funding patterns:

Focus on Healthcare Delivery The majority of grants support hospitals, health centers, and medical institutions. Organizations providing direct healthcare services to poor and underserved children appear most competitive.

Emphasis on Metropolitan Chicago All identified grant recipients operate in the Chicago metropolitan area. While the foundation's stated geographic scope is Illinois, their funding concentrates on Chicago-based organizations.

Substantial Organizational Capacity Grant recipients include major healthcare institutions (Loyola University Medical Center, Saint Bernard Hospital, Humboldt Park Health), suggesting the foundation seeks partners with established infrastructure and capacity to manage significant grants.

Demonstrated Service to Underserved Populations Organizations must clearly demonstrate service to poor and medically underserved children in Chicago. Documentation of the populations served and evidence of health disparities addressed will strengthen applications.

Accountable Results The foundation explicitly prioritizes "programmatic services that give accountable results." Applications should include clear metrics, evaluation frameworks, and evidence of program effectiveness.

Financial Transparency The requirement for detailed financial information and donor lists suggests the foundation conducts thorough due diligence. Organizations should be prepared to demonstrate financial stability and responsible stewardship.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Healthcare focus is paramount: This foundation prioritizes pediatric healthcare access for underserved populations. Organizations outside the healthcare sector face limited opportunities.
  • Large grants, small portfolio: With 8-10 annual grants averaging $170,000, this is not a high-volume funder. Competition is selective, but successful applicants receive substantial support.
  • Geographic specificity matters: Metropolitan Chicago focus is clear from funding patterns. Suburban or downstate Illinois organizations may face challenges unless serving Chicago populations.
  • No formal application creates relationship dependency: Without a standardized application process, initial conversations with Executive Director Robert Campbell are critical to understanding fit and expectations.
  • Emphasize measurable outcomes: The foundation's emphasis on "accountable results" means applications must include robust evaluation frameworks and clear success metrics.
  • Institutional partnerships appear preferred: Recent grant recipients are established healthcare institutions rather than grassroots organizations, suggesting preference for partners with proven capacity.
  • Prepare comprehensive documentation: Even without a formal application, the foundation requires extensive organizational and financial information. Have annual reports, audited financials, board lists, and program evaluations ready.

References

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