Announcement about 2026 grantmaking:

Square One is currently not accepting new applications for funding.
Only current grantees are eligible to apply for funding according to the process below.

How to apply: CURRENT GRANTEES ONLY

The Square One Foundation invites current grantees whose grant period ends in Fall 2026 to apply for renewed support of Chicago-based work in our three program areas—Education, Democracy, or Inclusive & Just Economy—according to the following process:

Step #1:

Renewal Application


By September 4th

  • Once you have reviewed Square One Foundation’s new funding guidelines, log into your account via our online grant portal.

    If you have had a staff transition in the person responsible for submitting the application, please email SquareOneGrants@alchemizegiving.net.

    Please add SquareOneGrants@alchemizegiving.net and administrator@grantinterface.com to your email contacts or safe sender list, so that alerts from this system do not get caught by spam filters.

    If you need support using the Foundant system:

  • You will be directed to complete the Application form via the online grant portal, due by September 4, 2026. This includes answering three short questions:

    • 3-5 bullet points on the most important accomplishments in the past year (including quantitative metrics, if appropriate)

    • 3-5 bullet points on the most important goals or activities for the current year (including quantitative indicators of success, if appropriate)

    • If applicable, list any organizational changes: bullet points on any significant changes related to governance, programs, management, operations, fundraising or overall organizational health

    Please also upload a recent (i.e., pre-existing) grant proposal that you have already prepared for another funder.

    You do not need to create any new materials.  You do not even need to change the name of the foundation to whom the materials are addressed. Just send “as is.”

    Please also upload the following supporting documents:

    • Current Budget

    • Previous Fiscal Year Audit and/or Unaudited, Year-End Financial Statement

    • Board List

    • Funder List (including dollar amounts)

    • Additional Supporting Materials (optional if desired, not required)

  • We will reach out separately to invite you to sign up for a one-hour site visit.

    We strongly prefer to do site visits in-person with Chicago-based staff either at your office, Square One Foundation’s office, or a third location.  We believe this builds our relationship and helps us understand your work more deeply. Please plan to have your organization’s Chief Executive attend; other staff may attend as desired.

Login here

Step #2:
Site Visit

By November 6th

At least Two representatives of the Square One Foundation will meet in-person with your organization’s Chief Executive and other staff as desired.

You do not need to prepare a formal presentation, but here are some questions we’d like to discuss:

  1. What do you want us to know about your work over this last grant period? Any insights or learnings?

  2. What new challenges or opportunities arose during this last grant period? How did you respond?

  3. What are the strategic questions that you are currently grappling with?

  4. How can we help?

Renewal decisions will be announced in December 2026