Areas of Giving

We seek to partner with non-profit organizations providing services, programs, and events to underserved populations.

Young adults with special needs

We fund local non-profit organizations providing education and workforce development for young adults with special needs that lead to self-sustaining job opportunities.

We prioritize supporting schools and social service organizations serving young adults with special needs.

Our focus is on organizations in the Chicagoland area that instill a sense of dignity and self-worth and help their participants live productive lives by fostering independence and providing job training.

Greek culture, education, and language

We fund local, national and international non-profit Hellenic organizations that strengthen the relationship between Greece and the United States and develop, enhance, and preserve Greek culture, education, and language.

We prioritize investing in promoting awareness of historical and cultural heritage and host programs to promote and preserve language and education.

Our focus is on local, national, and international organizations that preserve the Greek values and ideals that the Pissios family holds dear.

Women-led single-parent households

We fund local non-profit organizations that provide women-led, single-parent households with sustainable employment opportunities or provide support services to enable the parent to balance work and family.

We prioritize programs and services that aim to support family security and self-reliance by placing single parents in full-time jobs in their community that is commensurate with the individual’s experience, training, education and skill.

Our focus is on funding organizations in the Chicagoland area that support women and children facing undue hardship due to immigration challenges, domestic violence, homelessness, medical condition, job displacement, and financial need.

We provide two types of financial support to non-profit organizations that align with our giving priorities:

Program Grants

For programs that are ongoing or in development.

Requests for $2,000 to $10,000

Special Events

For first-time events or repeating events.

Requests for $500 to $2,500

Major Gifts

Funding of over $10,000 is provided by the Foundation by invitation only.

One Grant Per Year

An organization may receive one grant per year.

Renewals

Receiving a program grant or event funding does not guarantee renewal the following year.

2024 Recipients

  • Auditorium Theater – Summer Camp Program
  • Boys Hope Girls Hope of Illinois
  • Cancer Wellness Center
  • Chicago Council on Global Affairs
  • Chicago Greektown Educational Foundation
  • Chicago Sculpture Exhibit
  • Hippocratic Cancer Research Foundation, Inc.
  • Little City
  • Love Purses, Inc.
  • Lurie Children’s Foundation
  • National Hellenic Invitational Basketball Tournament
  • Northside Learning Center High School
  • Patrick Lives On
  • University of Chicago Alexander S. Pissios Family Foundation’s Greek Language Fund

Past Recipients

  • Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation Cancer Wellness Center
  • Aunt Martha’s Health & Wellness
  • Carmel Catholic High School
  • Chicago Council on Global Affairs
  • Chicago Greektown Educational Foundation
  • Chicago Sculpture Exhibit
  • DePaul University
  • Friends of the Israel Defense Forces
  • Friends of Northside Learning Center
  • Gateway to Learning
  • Gilda’s Club Chicago
  • Give Me A Chance Foundation
  • Hellenic American Leadership Council
  • The Hellenic Initiative
  • Independent Film Alliance Chicago
  • Little City
  • Lucca Charities
  • Lurie Children’s Hospital
  • National Hellenic Museum
  • Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society
  • Patrick Lives On
  • Peace Education Foundation
  • Return to your Roots Program
  • St. Francis de Sales Catholic School
  • Serenity Foundation
  • Silver Services Children’s Foundation
  • The Singletons
  • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
  • The University of Chicago
  • Wood Family Foundation

We invite non-profit organizations to learn about our grant programs, to apply during our submission periods, and to contact the Foundation with questions.