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Reva & David Logan Foundation

Annual Giving
$12.3M
Grant Range
$3K - $1.0M
Decision Time
6mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $12,296,006 (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 6 months for LOI response; 8-12 weeks for grant decision
  • Grant Range: $2,500 - $1,000,000
  • Average Grant: $50,000
  • Geographic Focus: Strong emphasis on Chicago; national and international grants considered

Contact Details

Address: 980 N Michigan Avenue, Suite 1122, Chicago, IL 60611

Phone: (312) 664-3350

Email: contact@loganfdn.org

Website: https://loganfdn.org

Application Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=loganfdn

Overview

Founded in 1965 by David Logan, a businessman and investor, and his wife Reva, the Reva and David Logan Foundation is a Chicago-based family foundation with approximately $49 million in assets. The foundation received tax-exempt status in 1966 and is now led by Richard Logan, son of the co-founders, who serves as president. The foundation provides strategic grants to support social justice, investigative journalism, and the arts, with the majority of funding directed toward Chicago-based organizations. The foundation made 218 grants totaling over $12 million in 2023. The foundation takes an innovative approach to supporting nonprofits, including purchasing properties across Chicago and beyond to provide affordable spaces for partner organizations at nominal rent. The foundation also operates special programs including the Winter Weather Program, which distributed over $1.4 million worth of winter clothing in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grantmaking: $2,500 - $1,000,000 (average $50,000) - Three focus areas: Social Justice, Journalism, and Arts. Applications accepted on a rolling basis through online portal.

Foundation Properties Program: Strategic property purchases across Chicago and beyond to provide affordable workspace for nonprofit partners at nominal rent. Properties in Albany Park, Back of the Yards, Belmont Cragin, Chatham, Motor Row District, Uptown, West Humboldt Park, and locations in Elgin, Skokie, and Two Rivers, Wisconsin.

Winter Weather Program: Annual program providing winter clothing and accessories to nonprofit organizations throughout Chicagoland for distribution to communities facing housing instability. In 2024, supported 59 partner organizations distributing over $1.4 million worth of winter wear.

Artist Grant: Individual artist grants of $2,500 for Chicago-based artists (currently on pause; implemented in 2021 with 20 grants awarded from over 650 applications).

Priority Areas

Social Justice - Six key focus areas:

  • Housing: Organizations providing continuum of care from shelters to permanent housing; Chicago focus
  • Food Security: Procurement and distribution of fresh, affordable, and culturally appropriate food; includes Food Rescue Project at foundation's Uptown property
  • Youth/Education: Frameworks providing ongoing mentorship and exposure to positive role models
  • Incarceration Support: Organizations helping expunge criminal records and re-entry programs for recently incarcerated individuals
  • Mental Health: Networks providing compassionate, culturally relevant care in traditional and alternative approaches that erode stigma
  • Holistic Health Provision: Comprehensive health services

Journalism: Investigative reporting that "exposes acts of tyranny and malfeasance and stands as a bulwark for freedom, justice and democracy." Supports independent media organizations nationally and internationally. Major supporter of UC Berkeley's Investigative Reporting Program, which hosts the annual Logan Symposium bringing together leading investigative journalists.

Arts: Creative processes as tools for liberation, social change, conveying information, and non-violent protest. Strong emphasis on Chicago-based theater, dance, music (particularly jazz), and arts organizations. Recent purchases of properties for arts organizations including Albany Park Theater Project's Port of Entry venue.

What They Don't Fund

  • Organizations with annual operating budgets exceeding $500,000 for three or more of the last four fiscal years
  • Organizations outside the three focus areas (Social Justice, Journalism, Arts)
  • Non-501(c)3 organizations without fiscal sponsors or Equivalency Determination Certificates (for international applicants)

Governance and Leadership

Richard Logan, President: Son of co-founder David Logan, with twenty-five years as founding executive with UK-based Mac software company. Champion of investigative journalism and independent media with hands-on funding approach across disciplines worldwide. Focus areas include language and archival preservation, educational outcomes for underserved children, and advancing independent media. Philosophy: "Preserving, protecting and promoting free speech."

Crystal Logan, Co-Executive Director and Board Director: Involved with the foundation from young age, attending meetings and site visits with grandfather David Logan. Oversees journalism portfolio and works on applications and strategy. Has served as Board Director and Program Officer since 2018.

Reuben Logan, Board Member: Education professional (teacher/administrator) focused on educational accessibility and youth engagement. Based in Perth, Australia.

Board Members Include:

  • James Harkin: Journalist covering social change and political conflict, published in Vanity Fair, Harper's, GQ, The Smithsonian; former director of Institute for Contemporary Arts and Oxford politics lecturer
  • Jamyle Cannon: Executive Director and Founder of The Bloc, National Collegiate Boxing Champion, Teach for America Alumni, CNN Hero, focused on youth development in Chicago
  • Jennifer Kim-Matsuzawa: Advisor/investor, former President of The People's Music School, Principal at Bain & Company; Northwestern, Harvard, Stanford GSB education
  • Leslie Savickas: Corporate treasurer and financial controller with experience in public and private sectors; DePaul University, Loyola University, Illinois CPA
  • Patric McCoy: Retired environmental scientist at EPA, African American art collector, co-founder of Diasporal Rhythms

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Step 1: Complete LOI Eligibility Questionnaire

Step 2: Submit Letter of Inquiry (LOI)

  • Complete through online portal at grantinterface.com
  • Do not submit LOIs directly to foundation
  • Short form explaining organization and grant purpose
  • Required information: email, organization contact details, EIN/Tax ID, Executive Officer contact
  • Technical requirements: Chrome 14+, Firefox 9+, or Safari 4+

Before Applying: Review "Our Approach" page and "Grants Awarded" page to assess fit

Decision Timeline

  • LOI Response: Within 6 months of submission
  • Rejection: Standardized email with no feedback provided (foundation does not have capacity to offer feedback)
  • Interest: Direct contact from program officer
  • Grant Decision: 8-12 weeks after invitation to apply

Success Rates

218 awards made in 2023. Success rate not publicly disclosed. The foundation is described as "an accessible funder that accepts and reviews letters of inquiry throughout the year."

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated on website. Organizations considering reapplication after rejection should contact the foundation directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

The foundation seeks proposals demonstrating five key qualities:

1. Originality/Innovation: "The proposal encompasses a unique approach, proven or experimental, that is likely to deliver outstanding and reliable results." The foundation encourages applications from organizations that "challenge the status quo" and looks for "innovative ideas and approaches." They encourage applications from "non-traditional, innovative organizations who are looking to create real change."

2. Potential/Impact: "The applicant's process will significantly change their field or expand the audience to broaden debate while promoting positive outcomes, wide availability and access to all."

3. Feasibility: "The proposal contains clear and reachable goals, a reasonable timeframe, a fully-specified plan, and a realistic budget."

4. Organizational Capacity: Applicant has necessary resources to accomplish proposed goals and successfully carry out the project.

5. Engagement/Sustained Commitment: Applicant demonstrates "sustained commitment to the people they serve."

Recent Grant Examples:

  • Social Justice: Cradles to Crayons, Growing Home Inc., KoreanAmericanStory.org, Latitude Inc., Assata's Daughters (Black women providing political education and leadership training to Chicago youth), St. Leonard's Ministries, North Side Housing and Supportive Services (Michael Segoviano Emergency Shelter)
  • Journalism: Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism, Centre for Investigative Journalism (UK), Freedom of the Press Foundation, Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting (Investigate Midwest received $125,000 in matching grants plus $100,000 for newsroom operations), Robert C. Maynard Institute for Journalism Education, Fund for Investigative Journalism
  • Arts: About Face Theater, Interrobang Theater Project, Pegasus Theater Chicago, Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Joel Hall Dancers, International Latino Cultural Center, Young Chicago Authors, SkyArt, Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, Mosaic Theater Company (Washington DC)

Foundation Philosophy: "Encourage grantees to think radically and act positively to alter society and the world" and act as "a timely catalyst to support powerful innovative ideas."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Budget Size Matters: Organizations must have operating budgets under $500,000 for at least two of the last four fiscal years—verify eligibility before applying
  • Chicago Connection Valued: While the foundation funds nationally and internationally, the majority of funding stays in Chicago; Chicago-based organizations have clear advantage
  • Innovation Over Tradition: Foundation explicitly seeks "unique approaches" and organizations that "challenge the status quo"—emphasize what makes your approach different
  • Rolling Applications: No deadlines means you can apply when ready, but expect 6-month LOI response time—plan accordingly
  • No Second Chances for Feedback: Rejected applications receive standardized email with no feedback; make first application count by thoroughly reviewing "Our Approach" and recent grantees
  • Think Beyond Traditional Grants: Foundation's property purchase program and special initiatives (Winter Weather, Food Rescue) show creative approaches to supporting mission-aligned organizations
  • Social Justice Specificity: Within social justice, foundation has clear priorities across six areas—align proposals with specific priorities (housing, food security, youth/education, incarceration support, mental health, holistic health)
  • Journalism Focus on Investigative Work: Journalism grants emphasize investigative reporting as "bulwark for freedom, justice and democracy"—frame journalism work in these terms

References

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