← Back to US Funders Directory

Julian Grace Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.4M
Grant Range
$0K - $0.3M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7.4 million (2023)
  • Total Assets: $86 million (2023)
  • Grant Range: $250 - $270,000
  • Number of Grants: 101 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: No geographic limits (U.S. and international)
  • Application Type: Invitation only

Contact Details

Address: 1849 Green Bay Road, Suite 280, Highland Park, IL 60035

Email: info@juliangrace.org

Website: https://www.juliangrace.org

Inquiry Process: Organizations can submit a brief description (250 words max) with website link through the "Introduce Yourself" form, though submission does not guarantee an invitation to apply.

Overview

Founded in 2015 by billionaire couple Steven and Jessica Sarowitz, the Julian Grace Foundation is an entrepreneurial private foundation with $86 million in assets that distributed over $7.4 million in grants in 2023. Named for the middle names of the founders' children, the foundation is a BIPOC-led organization focused on high-engagement grantmaking to create "a just, unified, and hopeful world." The foundation prioritizes supporting small and new organizations with unrestricted general operating grants, which provide hard-to-find flexible funding for organizational necessities. The Sarowitzes have committed to giving away $1 billion during their lifetimes, with a goal to distribute $100 million to community organizations by 2044. The foundation has made significant gifts including $1.25 million to create the YWCA Julian Grace Innovation & Technology Institute and $10 million to help establish the Chicago Center for Arts and Technology.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

First-Time Grantee Program: $15,000 - $50,000 one-year "Get to Know You" grants for organizations new to the foundation's portfolio.

General Operating Support: The foundation emphasizes unrestricted general operating grants, particularly for BIPOC-led organizations. Grants can reach up to $270,000.

Multi-Year Grants: Occasionally available for longer-term partners. Grantee engagement is typically limited to a maximum of 5 years.

Application Cycles: Two annual cycles - Spring (April-June) and Fall (September-December).

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on five program areas:

  1. Educational Opportunity: Supporting access and equity in education
  2. Immigration & Human Rights: Protecting and advancing rights of immigrant communities
  3. Environmental Protection: Conservation and sustainability initiatives
  4. Preservation of Cultural Heritage: Supporting cultural identity and heritage preservation
  5. Health: Health access and equity initiatives

Core Values Guide Funding Decisions:

  • Hope and Transformation
  • Unification, Cooperation, and Healing
  • Innovation and Growth

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited proposals (all grants by invitation only)
  • Organizations must be U.S.-based to be considered (though international work is supported)

Governance and Leadership

Founder: Jessica Sarowitz, Managing Family Director

Executive Director: Scott McLellan

Organizational Size: 10 employees

Leadership Philosophy: The foundation emphasizes "proximity" in its grantmaking approach. As stated in their blog, "Proximity—being physically and emotionally close to the people and communities affected by injustice—transforms our understanding and response to social challenges." Board members participate in annual retreats to sites relevant to their grantmaking focus (such as Montgomery, Alabama) to directly witness the effects of their philanthropic work.

Unique Approach: The foundation operates youth boards, including a High School Youth Board and an Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy Board, providing young people with opportunities in philanthropy and grantmaking.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. All proposals are by invitation only. Organizations invited to apply are chosen through recommendations from the Foundation's Board of Directors and professional staff.

Invited organizations will:

  1. Receive invitation in early March (Spring cycle) or late August (Fall cycle)
  2. Complete electronic application through Foundant Grants Management System
  3. Submit proposal by predetermined deadline in April or September
  4. Potentially participate in follow-up conversation or site visit
  5. Await Board review and decision

Getting on Their Radar

Organizations interested in potential partnerships can submit a brief description (250 words maximum) along with their website link through the "Introduce Yourself" contact form at juliangrace.org/contact. This does not guarantee an invitation to apply, but allows the foundation's board and staff to learn about mission-aligned organizations when making future recommendations.

Key Relationship-Building Strategy: The foundation values proximity and direct engagement. They fund approximately 50 nonprofits internationally and have been known to respond to organizations working in their priority areas when approached through proper channels.

Notable Example: When CALA (Chicago Area Lesbian Alliance, now known as CALOR) applied for a $90,000 grant in 2015, they received $159,000 instead, demonstrating the foundation's willingness to exceed requests for aligned organizations.

Decision Timeline

Spring Cycle:

  • Invitations sent: Early March
  • Applications due: April
  • Board meeting: June
  • Funds released: July

Fall Cycle:

  • Invitations sent: Late August
  • Applications due: September
  • Board meeting: November
  • Funds released: December

Decision Communication: Organizations are notified within 2-3 months after application submission. Applications are reviewed by foundation staff and board, with final approval by the full Board of Directors.

Success Rates

Due to the invitation-only model, traditional success rate statistics are not publicly available. However, the foundation made 101 grants in 2023 and 115 grants in 2022, suggesting a consistent portfolio of invited organizations.

Reapplication Policy

Grantee engagement is limited to a maximum of 5 years. First-time grantees typically receive one-year grants, with the possibility of renewal for longer-term partners through multi-year grants.

Application Success Factors

Unrestricted Funding Preference: The foundation strongly prefers general operating grants that give organizations flexibility. They have publicly committed to increasing the percentage of general operating grants to BIPOC-led organizations. As noted by Inside Philanthropy, the foundation "funds small and new organizations with general operating grants, giving them hard-to-find unrestricted funds with which to pay staff and light bills and other necessities."

Emphasis on Smaller, Newer Organizations: Unlike many large foundations that prioritize established organizations, Julian Grace Foundation specifically works with "smaller upstart organizations" rather than larger, established institutions.

Proximity and Engagement: The foundation values direct engagement and relationship-building. They practice "high-engagement grantmaking," meaning they invest time in understanding grantee work beyond just writing checks.

Racial Equity Lens: The foundation conducts all grantmaking through a racial equity lens and is committed to empowering communities of color. Being a BIPOC-led organization is advantageous, and all proposals should demonstrate awareness of racial justice implications.

Alignment with Core Values: Applications should clearly demonstrate how the work creates:

  • Hope and Transformation in communities
  • Unification, Cooperation, and Healing across divides
  • Innovation and Growth in addressing social challenges

Past Successful Grantees: Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit, World Chicago, Honduran Children's Rescue Fund, Partnership for College Completion, Mano a Mano Family Resource Center, and Partners in Racial Justice (which received $375,000 in general operating support).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Don't wait for an invitation to introduce yourself: While applications are invitation-only, the foundation welcomes brief introductions (250 words max) through their website contact form to get on the radar of board and staff.

  • Emphasize need for unrestricted funding: The foundation explicitly wants to provide flexible, general operating support—frame your need for organizational sustainability and capacity-building.

  • Small and new is an advantage, not a disadvantage: Unlike many funders, Julian Grace specifically seeks out smaller, emerging organizations rather than established institutions.

  • Lead with racial equity: As a BIPOC-led foundation with an explicit racial justice commitment, demonstrate how your work centers communities of color and addresses systemic inequities.

  • Think long-term partnership, not one-off project: The foundation offers multi-year support for strong partners and values deep engagement—position your organization for a 5-year relationship.

  • Demonstrate proximity to communities served: The foundation's philosophy emphasizes being "physically and emotionally close to the people and communities affected by injustice"—show how your organization embodies this principle.

  • Be prepared for engagement beyond the grant: This is a "high-engagement" funder that may conduct site visits and regular check-ins—indicate openness to partnership beyond transactional funding.

References

← Back to US Funders Directory