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Bears Care at a glanceAlso receives grants: funding profile →

· Public charity

Bears Care

To support programs designed to positively impact people in the areas of education, youth athletics, and medical research and health awareness with an emphasis on breast and ovarian cancer.

$2.8M
Granted FY2024still arriving
50
Grants FY2024still arriving
3
States reached
$520k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its fieldRead
04Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0192% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2024.

Education$3.5MYouth Development$3.1MHealth$2.8MRecreation & Sports$2.0MFood & Nutrition$116kHousing & Shelter$65kArts & Culture$50kHuman Services$50kOther$0
02FY2024 · 50 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 50 grants below total $2,584,338, the rows itemized in this filing. The $2,814,843 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $230,505 is giving the schedule does not break out (grants under the $5,000 itemization floor, grants to individuals, grants on other schedules). Every figure below describes the itemized rows only.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k3 grants · $23k
  • $10k–50k33 grants · $561k
  • $50k–250k13 grants · $1.5M
  • $250k+1 grant · $520k
$20,000
Median grant
3
States reached
$797k
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER$520,000
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION$203,000
HOPE CHICAGO INC$200,000
ENDEAVOR HEALTH CLINICAL OPERATIONS$200,000
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO$170,000
CHICAGO PARKS FOUNDATION$155,000
BIG SHOULDERS FUND$100,000
LES TURNER AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS FOUNDATION$78,133
YOUTH GUIDANCE$75,000
BUILD INC$75,000
URBAN GROWERS COLLECTIVE INC$70,000
GREATER AUBURN GRESHAM DEVELOPMENT CORP$55,000
IMAGINE ENGLEWOOD IF NFP$50,000
SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITY LAB$50,000
MIDTOWN METRO$35,000
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY24–24, $80k) land where the poverty rate runs at 14%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 100% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%YWCA METROPOLITAN CHICAGO: $20k → 14%JENNIFER S FALLICK CANCER SUPPORT CENTER: $10k → 14%RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES: $30k → 14%CLEARBROOK: $10k → 14%MEDICAL CAREERS EXPOSURE AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS INITIATIVE: $10k → 14%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
University of Chicago Medical Center

Our mission at the university of chicago medicine is to provide superior health care through rigorous research, innovative education, and comprehensive care and healing. in partnership with our colleagues, we pursue life-changing…

Health
2
Uchicago Medicine Network Inc

Uchicago medicine network, inc. supports and encourages health and human service by providing support, directly or indirectly to ingalls memorial hospital, the university of chicago medical center, and other related tax-exempt…

Health
3
Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare

Edward-Elmhurst Healthcare follows the mission of Endeavor Health to "help everyone in our communities be their best."

Health
4
Loyola University of Chicago

We are chicago's jesuit, catholic university - a diverse community seeking god in all things and working to expand knowledge in the service of humanity through learning, justice, and faith.

Education
5
Pediatric Faculty Foundation Inc

We value excellence and innovation in clinical and basic research, coordinated and comprehensive patient care, ongoing physician education, and evidence-based child advocacy. our goal is to provide leadership in endeavors that promote the…

Health
6
Edward Hospital

Edward Hospital follows the mission of Endeavor Health to "help everyone in our communities be their best."

Health
7
Stanley Manne Childrens Research Institute

Stanley manne children's research institute strives to generate new knowledge and advance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric diseases.

Health
8
Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare Group

The elmhurst memorial healthcare group follows the mission of endeavor health (f/k/a ns-ee holdings). the mission of endeavor health is to "help everyone in our communities be their best." central to this mission is a commitment to…

—
9
Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Ann & robert h. lurie children's hospital of chicago is dedicated to the health and well-being of all children. as the pediatric teaching facility for northwestern university feinberg school of medicine, this commitment drives us to be a…

Health
10
Rush System for Health

The mission of Rush University System for Health is to improve the health of the individuals and diverse communities it serves through the integration of outstanding patient care, education, research, and community partnerships.

Health
11
Swedish Covenant Health

Swedish Covenant Health follows the mission of Endeavor Health to "help everyone in our communities be their best."

—
12
Union Health System

To serve our communities by provding innovative and compassionate healthcare.

Health
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is The Resurrection Project; the most unlike its peers is Young Black and Lit. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

45 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 45 of the 50 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
45/45
Grantees still filing
21/45
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Rush University Medical Center: $520,000 · HealthRush University Medical CenterEndeavor Health Clinical Operations: $200,000 · HealthEndeavor Health Clinical OperationsRehabilitation Institute of Chicago: $50,000 · HealthRehabilitation Institute of ChicagoGILDA'S CLUB CHICAGO: $30,000 · Health+7 more: $88,705 · Health+7 moreNORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE: $203,000 · OtherNORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL HEALTHCAREHOPE CHICAGO INC: $200,000 · OtherHOPE CHICAGO INCLES TURNER AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS FOUNDATION LTD: $78,133 · OtherLES TURNER AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLER…BUILD INC: $75,000 · OtherBUILD INCBIG BROTHERS-BIG SISTERS OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO: $30,000 · Other+16 more: $248,500 · Other+16 moreUniversity of Chicago: $170,000 · EducationUniversity of Chi…Big Shoulders Fund: $100,000 · EducationBig Shoulders Fun…Youth Guidance: $75,000 · EducationYouth GuidanceMidtown-Metro Achievement Centers: $35,000 · EducationMidtown-Metro Ach…SISTERS WORKING IT OUT: $15,000 · EducationCHICAGO PARKS FOUNDATION: $155,000 · Recreation & SportsUSA FOOTBALL INC: $10,000 · Recreation & SportsURBAN GROWERS COLLECTIVE INC: $70,000 · Food & NutritionNORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK: $25,000 · Food & NutritionCulinary Care: $15,000 · Food & NutritionGREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY: $6,000 · Food & NutritionGREATER AUBURN GRESHAM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: $55,000 · Community ImprovementImagine Englewood If NFP: $50,000 · Community ImprovementRONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF CHICAGOLAND & NW INDIANA: $30,000 · Human ServicesYWCA METROPOLITAN CHICAGO: $20,000 · Human ServicesCLEARBROOK: $10,000 · Human ServicesMedical Careers Exposure and Emergency: $10,000 · Human ServicesJENNIFER S FALLICK CANCER SUPPORT CENTER: $10,000 · Human Services
Health$888,705Other$834,633Education$395,000Recreation & Sports$165,000Food & Nutrition$116,000Community Improvement$105,000Human Services$80,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetRush University Medical Center: $520,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetEndeavor Health Clinical Operations: $200,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHOPE CHICAGO INC: $200,000 over 1y, 1.6% of budgetUniversity of Chicago: $170,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCHICAGO PARKS FOUNDATION: $155,000 over 1y, 3.2% of budgetBig Shoulders Fund: $100,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetLES TURNER AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS FOUNDATION LTD: $78,133 over 1y, 1.7% of budgetYouth Guidance: $75,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBUILD INC: $75,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetURBAN GROWERS COLLECTIVE INC: $70,000 over 1y, 1.5% of budgetGREATER AUBURN GRESHAM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION: $55,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetRehabilitation Institute of Chicago: $50,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetImagine Englewood If NFP: $50,000 over 1y, 4.6% of budgetMidtown-Metro Achievement Centers: $35,000 over 1y, 1.4% of budgetBIG BROTHERS-BIG SISTERS OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO: $30,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetRONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF CHICAGOLAND & NW INDIANA: $30,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetGILDA'S CLUB CHICAGO: $30,000 over 1y, 1.7% of budgetROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT FOUNDATION: $27,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetFIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY: $25,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE ADLER PLANETARIUM: $25,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSHEDD AQUARIUM SOCIETY: $25,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK: $25,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS OF CHICAGO: $20,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetYWCA METROPOLITAN CHICAGO: $20,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetALLENDALE ASSOCIATION: $20,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE METHODIST HOSPITALS INC: $20,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSISTERS WORKING IT OUT: $15,000 over 1y, 4.6% of budgetCulinary Care: $15,000 over 1y, 2.3% of budgetBEYOND THE BALL NFP: $15,000 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetADVOCATE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION: $15,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetRECOVERY ON WATER INC: $12,500 over 1y, 2.5% of budgetAmerican Heart Association Inc: $11,205 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCLEARBROOK: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetMedical Careers Exposure and Emergency: $10,000 over 1y, 14% of budgetYOUNG BLACK AND LIT: $10,000 over 1y, 3.5% of budgetTHE NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION & COLLEGE HALL OF FAME INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetJENNIFER S FALLICK CANCER SUPPORT CENTER: $10,000 over 1y, 1.0% of budgetWellness House: $10,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetThe Resurrection Project: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetRole Model Movement Inc (NFP): $10,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetASOCIACION LATINA DE ASISTENCIA Y PREVENCION DEL CANCER DE MAMA: $10,000 over 1y, 2.9% of budgetSISTERS NETWORK CHICAGO CHAPTER: $10,000 over 1y, 29% of budgetUSA FOOTBALL INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetGREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY: $6,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

The Chicago Community…The Coleman Foundatio…Circle of Service Fou…United Way of Metropo…Gs Donor Advised Phil…Northwestern Universi…AbbVie FoundationJohn D and Catherine …American Society for …Northwestern Memorial…Dr Scholl FoundationRobert R McCormick Fo…
The Chicago Community TrustIL20.8× affinity11 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Chicago Community Trust · The Coleman Foundation Inc · Circle of Service Foundation · United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc · Gs Donor Advised Philanthropy Fund for Wealth Management Inc · Northwestern University · AbbVie Foundation · John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation · American Society for Radiation Oncology · Northwestern Memorial HealthCare Group · Dr Scholl Foundation · Robert R McCormick Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization Bears Care funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from Bears Care. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%2%8%17%30%funder's share of their income ↑0%10%20%30%40%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    12report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–40%
    typical government reliance, FY20–25
    How this is measured
    Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.
    04Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to Bears Care?

    Find your warmest path to Bears Care through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

    Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

    On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 50 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

    How this is measured
    Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

    Generated from the IRS Form 990 e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

    Source object · view filing

    Play a game based on Bears Care’s filings →

    More from the funding graph

    The unnamed billions
    grants reported with no recipient in the public record
    The regranting layer
    51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
    The DAF merry-go-round
    $9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
    The endowment market
    who holds foundation money, and what just moved
    The camps
    funders cluster by geography, not ideology
    By state
    where grant money is based, and what stays home