Catalyzing New Approaches to Health Equity in Chicago
What we fund
Sprague Foundation funds nonprofit clinical and public health initiatives that address social determinants of health. Enhancing quality of life and life expectancy across the Chicagoland region is our north star.
What we deliver
We work hand in hand with partners to seed innovations that fill health equity gaps throughout Chicago.
Priorities
In 2024, the Sprague Foundation Board undertook a strategic planning process to consider how to optimize our resources. We challenged ourselves to go deeper in fewer areas to maximize impact and best deliver on our mission. The result is a focus on two key areas (below) for a three-year period from 2025 to 2028. We’re excited to see what this process yields, learn from both successes and challenges, and refine the approach based on our discoveries.
Community Health Access
Reducing barriers to health and creating new pathways for underserved populations and communities.
Healthcare Workforce
Expanding professional pathways for under-represented groups. Supporting work environments that encourage staff performance, safety, retention, satisfaction, and a robust healthcare sector
Impact by the Numbers
$2M+
Resources invested annually in Chicago’s health sector
100+
Number of years of philanthropic investment in Chicago
>35
New pilots and initiatives seeded since 2000
Words from our grantees
“Sprague has been at the forefront of innovations in health care… Its bold leadership and support has been central to improving the quality of care for patients adversely affected by health disparities.”
Cindy Ogrin
Chief Strategy Officer,
Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics