New Prospect Foundation

OVERVIEW: The New Prospect Foundation broadly supports community development, economic opportunity and human services in the Chicagoland area. It also funds select global health and international human rights outfits.

IP TAKE: This funder is very accessible even though it restricts information about its grantmaking strategies. It keeps a low public profile and does not have a website, likely due to its lack of staff. However, it typically awards grants for general operating support rather than funding specific projects, and it favors organizations with modest budgets that have not had success acquiring funding from larger grantmakers. Grantmaking has decreased significantly over the past several years, and it is unclear what the future of this funder’s grantmaking might be. Send an application to the address below, but call the foundation first to briefly discuss general application questions.

PROFILE: The New Prospect Foundation was established in 1969 in Illinois by the late Elliot Lehman, co-founder of automotive gasket manufacturer Fel-Pro. The foundation maintains a low public profile and does not operate a website or employ a formal staff. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations working in housing, employment, welfare, the economic sustainability of urban and inner city neighborhoods, human rights, civil rights and public school reform in Chicago, Illinois.

Grants for Housing and Economic Opportunity

The New Prospect Foundation’s grantmaking primarily centers around community development, economic opportunity, and human services in the Chicagoland area and beyond. Past grantees include James B. Moran Center for Youth Advocacy, Regional Plan Association, Chicago Women’s Health Center. New Prospect also distributes a significant amount of its funding through fellow Lehman-family foundations the Kellcie Fund and Menemsha Family Fund.

Grants for Global Health

While New Prospect does not have a grantmaking program dedicated to global health causes, its tax filings indicate an interest in this funding field. One of the foundation’s major beneficiaries is the Lake Tanganyika Floating Health Clinic, founded by Elliot Lehman’s granddaughter Dr. Amy Lehman—the clinic is housed on a boat that brings desperately needed health care services to the communities located on the lakeshores and surroundings. Other past health grantees include Doctors Without Borders, Partners in Health, and the Against Malaria Foundation.

Grants for LGBTQ

While New Prospect does not name LGBTQ causes as one of its funding priorities, its tax filing indicates support for LGBTQ organizations across the country. Past LGBT grantees include the Astraea Lesbian Foundation for Justice and the Transgender Law Center.

Grants for Security and Human Rights

Past human rights grantees include International Rescue Committee, Amnesty International, and the Global Fund for Women.

Important Grant Details:

Grant amounts range widely from $250 to $600,000; however, most grants tend to fall into the $1,000 to $10,000. This funder gives primarily, but not exclusively, in the area of Chicago, Illinois. Grantseekers should also note that New Prospect also distributes a significant amount of its funding through fellow Lehman-family foundations the Kellcie Fund and Menemsha Family Fund.

The New Prospect Foundation prioritizes nonprofit organizations with modest budgets and those that do not qualify for funding through other traditional sources. The foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications to the address provided below.

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CONTACT:

New Prospect Foundation

c/o Frances Lehman

1603 Orrington Avenue 1275

Evanston, Illinois 60201

(847) 328-2288