Michael Reese

What Michael Reese does

Michael Reese Health Trust is an independent, Illinois-based public charity (formerly a private foundation) that deploys philanthropic capital, advocacy, and incubation services to advance health equity across Chicagoland. Operating from a Chicago headquarters at 200 W. Madison St. (Suite 300) with approximately 15 staff members and a 17-member board, the organization was established in 2016 following the sale of Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center and completed its transition to IRS-approved public charity status in 2024.

The organization delivers value through three core tools: (1) direct grantmaking to nonprofit partners (FY24 deployment of $7,255,598 across 60 grants to 43 partners); (2) advocacy on policy issues including Karina's Law, Bring Chicago Home, and reproductive health access; and (3) incubation of pooled-fund vehicles such as Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness (CFTEH, 40 funders, $30M annually), Health First Collaborative (20+ funders), and Prairie State Access Fund. Its four priority program areas are domestic violence prevention (including People Who Cause Harm interventions), health workforce development (community health workers), ending homelessness, and Jewish legacy support.

Michael Reese's revenue model is foundation-based: an endowment derived from the original hospital sale, supplemented by donations (general, legacy, and memorial), pooled contributions from collaborative funders, and investment income managed by the CFO/Chief Investment Officer. The organization does not sell products or services; it distributes capital and convening capacity. Recent operating signals include a $5M fundraising target for the Prairie State Access Fund by end of 2026, $2.46M in FY26 Q3 grantmaking across 53 grants, and a new Blackbaud-based grantee portal launched in March 2026.

Name

Michael Reese

Legal name

Michael Reese Health Trust

Website

https://wearemichaelreese.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Michael Reese Health Trust is an Illinois public charity that deploys grantmaking, advocacy, and incubation services across Chicagoland, prioritizing domestic violence prevention, health workforce, homelessness, and Jewish legacy programs serving Chicagoland nonprofits and communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Philanthropic Grantmaking Foundation

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Individual and Family Services (6241)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Charities & Grantmaking Intermediaries (BPAGAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Health Program Grants Management & Administration (HLAJALAC), Hospitals, Clinics & Charitable Healthcare Providers (BPAGACAB), Private Foundations (BPAGAKAA)

Keywords

• Health equity grantmaking
• Philanthropic foundation
• Community health funding
• Nonprofit advocacy
• Health workforce development

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Others, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Foundation Endowment & Grantmaking: Michael Reese Health Trust operates as a public charity that deploys its resources through grantmaking to nonprofit organizations. The organization was established following the sale of Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center and maintains an endowment used to fund health equity initiatives across Chicagoland.
2. Donations and Fundraising: As a public charity, Michael Reese accepts donations including general giving, legacy gifts, and memorial/honor gifts. The organization has diversified its funding sources since transitioning from private foundation to public charity status in 2024.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Michael Reese Health Trust is a Chicagoland public charity foundation that deploys philanthropic capital through grantmaking, advocacy, and incubation to advance health equity. It funds nonprofit partners working across four priority areas — domestic violence prevention, health workforce development, homelessness, and Jewish legacy — and incubates collaborative funder initiatives targeting systemic health and housing challenges.

Product overview

Michael Reese Health Trust is a public charity (formerly a private foundation) that operates as a philanthropic health equity organization, not a technology product company. The organization offers a portfolio of grantmaking, advocacy, and incubation programs. Core programs include: (1) Grantmaking - distributing funds to nonprofit partners; (2) Advocacy - driving systemic policy change; (3) Incubation - nurturing innovative health initiatives. Major initiatives include the Health First Collaborative (funder collaborative for health equity), Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness (CFTEH, fiscal sponsored collaborative), Prairie State Access Fund (reproductive health initiative), and Staying Strong (rapid-response advocacy). The organization focuses on four priority areas: Domestic Violence Prevention, Health Workforce Development, Homelessness, and Jewish Legacy. Digital platforms include a donation portal and Blackbaud-based grantee portal for grant management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness (CFTEH): A diverse group of funders working to align resources and unlock new sources of funding to prevent and end homelessness in Chicago. Founded in 2020 as Michael Reese's first incubation project.
• Health First Collaborative
• Prairie State Access Fund
• Chicagoland Vaccine Partnership

Products and services

• Grantmaking Program Core grantmaking program investing in Chicagoland nonprofits that advance health equity. In FY24, 60 grants totaling $7,255,598 were awarded to 43 grantee partners across domestic violence prevention, homelessness, health workforce, and Jewish legacy priority areas.
• Advocacy Program Advocacy program that drives systemic, lasting change by transforming policies and systems to improve health. Uses voice to amplify issues, inform policy recommendations, and lobby for changes that advance health equity, enabled by 2024 public charity status.
• Incubation Program (with Fiscal Sponsorship) Incubation program that nurtures innovative ideas by providing fiscal sponsorship, office space, administrative support, mentorship, training, networking opportunities, and fundraising assistance to emerging initiatives with potential to transform health.
• Health First Collaborative Incubated collaborative of 20+ funders working to redefine healthcare in Chicagoland, addressing root causes of racial health inequities. Features a Community Advisory Council of 17 community members representing 13 neighborhoods.
• Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness (CFTEH) Incubated collaborative of 40+ funders working to align resources and prevent/end homelessness in Chicago. Includes the Housing Justice Fund ($3.5M awarded to 23 community partners) and the Bring Chicago Home campaign.
• Prairie State Access Fund Initiative to sustain and strengthen the reproductive and sexual health ecosystem in Illinois. Provides flexible funding to organizations protecting and expanding reproductive and sexual health access, with a $5M fundraising goal by end of 2026.
• Staying Strong Rapid-response advocacy and learning collaborative that connects funders, advocates, and policy leaders during political or social threats to health access. Activates network to share critical information, coordinate responses, and protect access to health and opportunity.
• Chicagoland Vaccine Partnership Time-limited initiative that increased access to COVID-19 vaccines while strengthening a public health workforce to advance health equity. Brought together 160+ partners, trained 3K+ vaccine ambassadors, and vaccinated 6K+ people. Project has concluded.
• Donation Portal Online donation platform accepting various gift amounts with one-time or recurring gift options. Supports honor and memorial gifts, Legacy Fund contributions, and various designation options including Area of Greatest Need.

Quantifiable outcome

• FY24: 60 grants totaling $7,255,598 to 43 grantee partners
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Chicago Abortion FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2026First-round Prairie State Access Fund grantee receiving $400,000 general operating support to sustain reproductive healthcare access.
• Planned Parenthood of IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2026First-round Prairie State Access Fund grantee receiving $200,000 general operating support.
• Repro TLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2026First-round Prairie State Access Fund grantee receiving $300,000 general operating support.
• Red Tent FundcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2026First-round Prairie State Access Fund grantee receiving $100,000 general operating support.
• VNA FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2024Partnership to conduct landscape scan of domestic violence prevention focused on people who cause harm in Cook County. Funded research led by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital.
• JCC ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 February 2024JCC Chicago is the largest Jewish community center in North America. Michael Reese provided a $100,000 security grant to support JCC Chicago's increased security needs following heightened antisemitism after October 7th. The partnership exemplifies Michael Reese's commitment to the Jewish community through practical support and resources.
• Chicago Funders Together to End Homelessness (CFTEH)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Michael Reese's first incubation project, now serving as fiscal sponsor. A diverse group of 40+ funders working to align resources and unlock new sources of funding to prevent and end homelessness in Chicago. Collectively invests $30M annually through 200+ grantee partners.
• Health First CollaborativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Collaborative of 20+ funders working together to redefine healthcare in Chicagoland, addressing root causes of racial health inequities. Features Community Advisory Council with 17 community members representing 13 neighborhoods.
• Illinois Coalition for Community Health Workers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to support capacity building and executive coaching for community health workers across Illinois, strengthening the health workforce in Chicagoland.
• The Network: Advocating Against Domestic ViolencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichael Reese supports The Network's groundbreaking 'Affording Survival' pilot project providing guaranteed income to survivors of domestic violence. The partnership also includes support for Karina's Law advocacy and implementation.
• Visión y CompromisosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationally recognized California-based nonprofit providing groundbreaking CHW training. Collaborated with Illinois Unidos and Enlace Chicago to provide six-day training to over 35 Latinx, Spanish-speaking CHWs in Chicagoland.
• Pathways Program at Swedish HospitalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichael Reese has partnered with Pathways Program since 2016. The program equips healthcare professionals to recognize signs of abuse and TBI symptoms in domestic violence survivors.
• Sinai Health SystemssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerJewish-focused healthcare organization that has been a longstanding recipient of Michael Reese funding, serving as a mainstay of comprehensive health care in Chicagoland.
• Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish GeneticssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichael Reese helped launch what is now the Norton and Elaine Sarnoff Center for Jewish Genetics, a national leader in education and outreach related to genetic disorders and hereditary cancers.
• Office of the Governor (Illinois)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichael Reese Health Trust partnered with the Office of the Governor to launch the Prairie State Access Fund, an initiative to sustain and strengthen reproductive and sexual health access in Illinois.
• Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital (Smith Child Health Catalyst Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch team led by Callie Kaplan, MPH, conducted landscape scan on DV prevention for people who cause harm, identifying challenges and opportunities in Cook County.
• Heartland Alliance HealthsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerWhen Heartland Alliance Health faced closure due to financial challenges, Michael Reese stepped in to support their efforts to maintain essential healthcare services for Chicago's homeless residents.
• Sprague FoundationsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed Chicago Healthcare Workplace Wellbeing Collaborative partnership with Michael Reese to address challenges facing healthcare safety net employees through pooled funding.
• Forefront IllinoissupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichael Reese participated in Foundations on the Hill advocacy delegation led by Forefront Illinois, meeting with federal lawmakers on Capitol Hill to elevate key challenges facing the sector.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves10 records

Regional players

• Jewish United Fund / Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago: JUF is the central address for Jewish philanthropy in metropolitan Chicago, supporting Jewish community organizations, social services, and security across the region. Comparable as a Chicagoland Jewish-heritage philanthropy funding overlapping partner organizations.

Broad incumbents

• The Chicago Community Trust: The Chicago Community Trust is one of the largest community foundations in the country, serving the same Chicagoland region with a much broader portfolio across health, education, and economic opportunity. It is comparable as a similarly-located public charity with combined grantmaking, advocacy, and donor services.
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is the largest US philanthropy dedicated to health, with a national footprint focused on health equity and systems change. Comparable as a much larger established health-focused foundation pursuing advocacy alongside grantmaking.
• The Commonwealth Fund: The Commonwealth Fund is a national health policy foundation supporting independent research on health system reform and equity. Comparable as a larger established health-focused foundation combining grantmaking with policy advocacy and research.

Direct peers

• The California Endowment: The California Endowment is a major health-focused foundation pursuing advocacy alongside grantmaking to advance health equity for underserved communities. Comparable as a similarly-missioned health equity foundation that combines grantmaking with policy advocacy.
• Lloyd A. Fry Foundation: Lloyd A. Fry Foundation is a Chicago-based private foundation supporting health, education, and economic opportunity with a strong emphasis on health equity. Comparable as a same-geography health-focused foundation of similar scale.
• Crown Family Philanthropies: Crown Family Philanthropies is a Chicago-based Jewish-founded philanthropy supporting Jewish community organizations, health, and social services. Comparable as a similarly-positioned Jewish-heritage foundation in Chicagoland with overlapping priority areas and grantee networks.
• Polk Bros Foundation: Polk Bros Foundation is a Chicago-based private foundation focused on health equity, education, and economic opportunity, with substantial grantmaking in similar priority areas. Directly comparable as a same-geography, same-mission health-focused foundation of comparable scale.
• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Foundation: BCBSIL Foundation funds health equity initiatives across Illinois with a focus on social determinants of health, behavioral health, and healthcare access. Directly comparable as a same-geography health-focused philanthropic organization serving similar grantee populations.

Emerging players

• Woods Fund Chicago: Woods Fund Chicago is a smaller foundation supporting racial and economic justice in the Chicago region, with advocacy and grantmaking components. Comparable as a Chicago-focused foundation combining grantmaking with advocacy on social equity issues.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wermichaelreese

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Michael Reese