The G. A. Ackermann Memorial Fund was created through the will of Mrs. Mary A. Ackermann in 1937 to support healthcare and human services programs that serve underserved populations. The fund specifically prioritizes charitable organizations that are either operated or controlled by members of the Roman Catholic Church or Protestant Church, honoring the religious affiliations important to Mrs. Ackermann. A distinct emphasis is placed on hospital programs, aligning with the fund’s mission to enhance the delivery of quality healthcare services.
This foundation is managed under Bank of America’s Philanthropic Solutions division, specifically through its Illinois office. It accepts proposals annually, with the application deadline set for June 1. Notification of funding decisions is communicated by December 31 of the same year. The fund considers multi-year funding proposals to enhance nonprofit organizational capacity. However, it limits eligibility to organizations located strictly within the city limits of New York City or Chicago.
Eligible applicants must be charitable organizations under religious operation or control. The foundation generally does not fund individuals, endowment campaigns, capital projects, or research efforts. Furthermore, only organizations with an annual operating budget of less than $1 million may be considered for general operating support, ensuring that smaller nonprofits have an opportunity to receive funding.
Applications must be submitted online, and additional documentation such as detailed procedures and online application help are available in PDF and Microsoft Word formats. For application support or inquiries, applicants are advised to email the Illinois grantmaking office and reference the foundation name in the subject line.
Bank of America, through its Private Bank division, facilitates the fund’s operations, with fiduciary responsibilities carried out by its affiliated banks. Though the fund is private, it is managed in accordance with the financial and philanthropic standards upheld by Bank of America and its subsidiaries.
