Meaningful support for organizations serving the Jewish community and the people of Chicago.
Fall 2026 grants are open
Grants typically range from $5,000–$15,000. Applications close October 31, 2026, and awards are announced December 1, 2026.How to apply
Beyond the check: members who show up
Every grant opens a relationship — a board seat, volunteering, professional expertise, an introduction — and an invitation to meet our members at the Standard Club holiday party and annual meeting.What partnership looks like
What we fund
Welfare of the Jewish Community
The fund supports organizations that promote the welfare of the Jewish community: its institutions, its people, and the programs that sustain Jewish life in Chicago and beyond. This is the heart of the Fund's purpose: carrying forward the Jewish heritage of the Standard Club's membership through meaningful contributions to the community that membership has long served.
Interests of the People of Chicago
The fund supports organizations that advance the interests of the people of Chicago. Consistent with the Standard Club's legacy of civic leadership, the Fund gives back to the city its members have called home — with particular attention to organizations meeting demonstrated need and serving those who stand to benefit most.
How it works
Apply
Apply via a short form here. Just 6–8 questions, depending on your selected program focus, and an overview of your annual budget.
A friendly conversation
Organizations with a strong fit have a 15-minute call with a member of the giving committee to discuss the grant proposal and brainstorm ways club members could impact the organization.
A decision
All applications are reviewed and given feedback from our team. Awards are announced in mid-April for spring and mid-November for fall; our first cycle announces awards a little later, and its dates are on this page.
A partnership
The committee member who called you stays with you as your advocate, and members can help beyond a check. You’re invited, never required, to the Standard Club holiday party and annual meeting, where we introduce our grantees to the membership.
In making such contributions, the Fund will consider the degree to which organizations under consideration serve these objectives and also the extent to which they are in need of financial support.
The Standard Club Community Fund
Since 1869
Our story
The Standard Club was organized in Chicago in 1869 by German-Jewish business leaders barred from the Chicago Club.
For 150 years its members gave the city museums, a planetarium and a long habit of civic leadership.
The Club closed its clubhouse in 2020, and the Fund carries its purpose forward.