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World Business Chicago at a glanceMostly funded, not a grantmaker: see who funds it →

· Public charity

World Business Chicago

WORLD BUSINESS CHICAGO is the city of chicago's public-private economic development agency.

$28k
Granted FY2024still arriving
1
Grants FY2024still arriving
1
States reached
$25k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

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

Community Improvement$4.6MPublic Benefit$600kEmployment$532kEducation$235kHousing & Shelter$75kArts & Culture$70kPublic Safety & Disaster$30kInternational$18kOther$0
02FY2024 · 1 grant

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 1 grants below total $25,000, the rows itemized in this filing. The $27,585 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $2,585 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.
$25,000
Median grant
1
States reached
$12M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION$25,000
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 (FY17–22, $655k) 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%SOCIALWORKS: $10k → 14%BETHEL NEW LIFE INC: $400k → 14%WEST SIDE FORWARD: $145k → 14%BETHEL NEW LIFE INC: $100k → 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 grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

43%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$2.6M · 6 repeat orgs$3.4M to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue -2% since the first grant, against -6% for those funded once.

6 repeat relationships: 1 still active in FY2024, 5 since wound down.

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

6
44

Total granted

$2.6M
$3.4M

Median revenue growth · since first grant

-2%
-6%

Still filing today

83%
55%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 100% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $0 went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’20’21’22’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’17’18’20’21’22’23’24
EducationCommunity ImprovementEmploymentHousing & ShelterHuman ServicesInternationalOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • BL
    BUNKER LABS NFP INC
    3× · 2017–2020 · $745k · revenue -12%
  • FF
    FUTURE FOUNDERS FOUNDATION
    3× · 2017–2020 · $670k · revenue +13% · 44% of their budget
  • BN
    BETHEL NEW LIFE INC
    3× · 2017–2020 · $645k · revenue -60%

Funded once

  • TM
    THE MAGNIFICENT MILE ASSOCIATIONgraduated
    one grant, 2021 · $506k · revenue +79%
  • CO
    CITY OF CHICAGO
    one grant, 2020 · $500k
  • CR
    CHICAGO REGIONAL GROWTH CORPORATION
    one grant, 2018 · $433k · 43% of their budget
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

04Its 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
A Better Chicago

A better chicago is changing how chicago fights poverty by investing in bold ideas that create opportunity for our youth.

Human Services
2
Uptown United

Support of area businesses and the neighborhood.

Unclassified
3
Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago

Strengthen companies in the kinzie industrial corridor and facilitate economic and community development by providing services and incubator space.

—
4
World Business Chicago

World business chicago is the city of chicago's public-private economic development agency. our mission is to drive inclusive economic growth and job creation, support business, and promote chicago as a leading global city.

Community Improvement
5
Chicago United

To achieve parity in economic opportunity for people of color by advancing multiracial leadership in corporate governance, expanding the talent pipline for executive-level management, and growing minority businesses.

Philanthropy
6
Chicago Workers' Collaborative Nfp

Chicago Workers' Collaborative's mission is to promote full employment and equality for the lowest wage-earners, primarily temporary staffing workers, in the Chicago region through leadership and skills training, critical assistance and…

Education
7
Xchange Chicago Inc

To realize a more equitable and inclusive economy by advancing innovative workforce solutions that equip local residents with the skills and resources to access high-growth employment opportunities in tech and other rapidly growing fields…

Employment
8
Chicago United for Equity

Connecting and amplifying the power of individuals to build a just, equitable, and inclusive city.

Civil Rights
9
Chicago Jobs Council

Chicago Jobs Council (CJC) pursues its mission through advocacy, applied research, public education and capacity-building initiatives focused on influencing the development or reform of public policies and programs. From 18 original…

—
10
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce

The chicagoland chamber of commerce combines the power of people, with our legacy of leadership and business advocacy, to drive a dynamic economy. we focus on delivering value for our members, making chicagoland a world-class place to live…

—
11
Local Economic and Employment Development Council Inc

North Branch Works is a membership-supported nonprofit neighborhood organization that for more than three decades has promoted balanced, job-creating economic development along the North Branch of the Chicago River.

Employment
12
Chicagoland Associated General Contractors

To deliver exceptional value to our members through industry leadership, superior services, and innovative programs.

—
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Onechicagofund; the most unlike its peers is Somebody Help Us Alguien Ayudenos Inc. 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

33 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. 33 of the 51 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.

4
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
6
Early backer (in before they grew)
30/33
Grantees still filing
16/33
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

BUNKER LABS NFP INC: $745,000 · OtherBUNKER LABS NFP INCCITY OF CHICAGO: $500,000 · OtherCITY OF CHICAGOCHICAGO REGIONAL GROWTH CORPORATION: $433,237 · OtherCHICAGO REGIONAL GROWTH CORPORATIONBLUE 1647 NFP: $318,750 · OtherBLUE 1647 NFPWOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER: $125,000 · Other+23 more: $678,616 · Other+23 moreFUTURE FOUNDERS FOUNDATION: $670,000 · EducationFUTURE FOUNDERS FOUNDATI…Chicago Loop Alliance Foundation: $192,000 · EducationChicago Loop Alliance Fo…CHICAGO COOK WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP: $151,790 · EducationCHICAGO COOK WORKFORCE P…CIVIC CONSULTING ALLIANCE: $100,000 · EducationCIVIC CONSULTING ALLIANC…UI LABS INC: $100,000 · EducationUI LABS INCUniversity of Illinois Foundation: $50,000 · EducationSCALELIT FKA CHICAGO CITYWIDE LITERACY COALITION: $50,000 · EducationTHE MAGNIFICENT MILE ASSOCIATION: $506,178 · Community ImprovementTHE MAGNIFICENT MI…ALLIES FOR COMMUNITY BUSINESS INC: $261,800 · Community ImprovementALLIES FOR COMMUNI…Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center: $150,000 · Community ImprovementChicagoland Entrep…CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVES INC: $75,000 · Community ImprovementCHICAGO NEIGHBORHO…+1 more: $12,500 · Community ImprovementBETHEL NEW LIFE INC: $645,000 · Human ServicesBETHEL NEW L…+1 more: $10,000 · Human ServicesINNER-CITY COMPUTER STARS FOUNDATION: $100,000 · EmploymentSKILLS FOR CHICAGO: $100,000 · EmploymentThe Cara Program: $30,000 · EmploymentTHE COMMUNITY BUILDERS INC: $25,000 · Housing & ShelterPRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING INC: $25,000 · Housing & ShelterWESTSIDE HEALTH AUTHORITY: $7,365 · Housing & ShelterGREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY: $50,000 · Food & NutritionHELP HEROES OF UKRAINE INC NFP: $10,000 · InternationalRevived Soldiers Ukraine: $7,500 · International
Other$2,800,603Education$1,313,790Community Improvement$1,005,478Human Services$655,000Employment$230,000Housing & Shelter$57,365Food & Nutrition$50,000International$17,500

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

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetBUNKER LABS NFP INC: $745,000 over 3y, 4.0% of budgetFUTURE FOUNDERS FOUNDATION: $670,000 over 3y, 44% of budgetBETHEL NEW LIFE INC: $645,000 over 3y, 10% of budgetTHE MAGNIFICENT MILE ASSOCIATION: $506,178 over 1y, 22% of budgetCHICAGO REGIONAL GROWTH CORPORATION: $433,237 over 1y, 43% of budgetALLIES FOR COMMUNITY BUSINESS INC: $261,800 over 1y, 2.9% of budgetChicago Loop Alliance Foundation: $192,000 over 2y, 29% of budgetCHICAGO COOK WORKFORCE PARTNERSHIP: $151,790 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetChicagoland Entrepreneurial Center: $150,000 over 1y, 1.7% of budgetWOMEN'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER: $125,000 over 1y, 3.0% of budgetINNER-CITY COMPUTER STARS FOUNDATION: $100,000 over 1y, 5.8% of budgetCIVIC CONSULTING ALLIANCE: $100,000 over 1y, 2.4% of budgetSKILLS FOR CHICAGO: $100,000 over 1y, 1.1% of budgetUI LABS INC: $100,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetILLINOIS ARTS ALLIANCE: $80,548 over 1y, 3.5% of budgetCHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD INITIATIVES INC: $75,000 over 1y, 2.0% of budgetUniversity of Illinois Foundation: $50,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetGREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY: $50,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetSCALELIT FKA CHICAGO CITYWIDE LITERACY COALITION: $50,000 over 1y, 3.9% of budgetONECHICAGOFUND: $50,000 over 1y, 2.8% of budgetCOALITION FOR A BETTER CHINESE AMERICAN COMMUNITY CBCAC: $48,000 over 1y, 12% of budgetThe Cara Program: $30,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetBACK OF THE YARDS NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: $30,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetTHE COMMUNITY BUILDERS INC: $25,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING INC: $25,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLaSalle Street Revival: $25,000 over 1y, 25% of budgetPUERTO RICAN CULTURAL CENTER: $15,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetCHICAGO BLEND GROUP INC: $12,500 over 1y, 4.7% of budgetHELP HEROES OF UKRAINE INC NFP: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetSOCIALWORKS: $10,000 over 1y, 1.9% of budgetSOMEBODY HELP US ALGUIEN AYUDENOS INC: $10,000 over 1y, 2.8% of budgetRevived Soldiers Ukraine: $7,500 over 1y, 0.1% 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…John D and Catherine …The Coleman Foundatio…Robert R McCormick Fo…Polk Bros Foundation …Circle of Service Fou…United Way of Metropo…Chicago Cook Workforc…Tides FoundationField Foundation of I…The Allstate Foundati…Lloyd a Fry Foundation
The Chicago Community TrustIL25.4× affinity17 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Chicago Community Trust · John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation · The Coleman Foundation Inc · Robert R McCormick Foundation · Polk Bros Foundation Inc · Circle of Service Foundation · United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc · Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership · Tides Foundation · Field Foundation of Illinois · The Allstate Foundation · Lloyd a Fry 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 World Business Chicago funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from World Business Chicago. Bigger dots raise more.

2023
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 10%2%8%17%30%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 11%
  • The Community Builders Inc: 11% of income from government
  • Preservation of Affordable Housing Inc: 8% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
1get no government money at all
8report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
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.

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 51 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

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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