Our Approach to Grantmaking

We invest in organizations that demonstrate a commitment to creating value in one or more of our key areas of work - early childhood education, journalism and the First Amendment, youth civic engagement, assistance for underresourced communities, and serving veterans. When we make grants, we look for motivated, knowledgeable and passionate organizations who think holistically about social issues and how together we can effectively contribute to the solution. We are committed to having measurable, systemic impact on the areas we invest in, and holding ourselves accountable for these results.

The Foundation only makes grants to 501(c)3 organizations that serve charitable purposes and meet our program guidelines. The Robert R. McCormick Foundation does not fund programs that advance a particular religious or sectarian purpose, partisan political or electoral activities, endowments, or individual scholarships or personal research projects.