Cushing Family Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and works by invitation only, so an organisation that has not been invited should not send it a proposal and should look first for a connection who could make an introduction.
- The filing states no geographic focus, though most of its grants have gone to organisations in Illinois, New York and District of Columbia, and it states no particular funding field, since its grants span health, housing, education and other areas.
- Its typical grant band runs from $5,000 to $100,000, with about 8 in 10 of its 48 grants falling in that range and half of its grants to organisations at $25,000 or less, so a modest request is the realistic size; its largest grant was $400,000, so that band is not a ceiling.
- About 34% of its grant dollars went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so an existing relationship may matter a good deal, and the filing gives no information on timing.
Overview
Cushing Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Chicago, IL.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The filings do not state a particular funding field; instead, they record general-purpose grants to a varied mix of charitable organisations. Recipients include organisations involved in international health and humanitarian relief, homelessness and housing, food assistance, health and disability services, education, environmental conservation, opera and cultural life, animal welfare, and community services. The grants also reach organisations connected with faith communities, libraries and emergency relief. The recorded approach is to provide general-purpose support across a range of charitable needs, rather than to identify a single sector or defined programme.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Illinois, New York and District of Columbia.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 34% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 48 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 22% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 34% of grant dollars went to organisations Cushing Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 18 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $25,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Theosophical Society in America · General purposes$250,0002024 tax year
- AMREF Health Africa in the USA · General purposes$200,0002024 tax year
- DuPage PADS · General purposes$100,0002024 tax year
- Bridge Communities · General purposes$100,0002024 tax year
- Saint Francis High School · General purposes$100,0002024 tax year
- Morton Arboretum · General purposes$100,0002024 tax year
- Humanitarian Service Project · General purposes$58,0002024 tax year
- American Red Cross · General purposes$25,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Michael J Cushing — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $562,722 | $466,300 | $11,388,321 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $775,843 | $690,000 | $163,194,433 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,397,391 | $1,068,000 | $178,238,671 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Cushing Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Contact
- Chicago, IL
Applying to Cushing Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Chicago, IL