CHICAGO (CBS) -- The charitable foundation best known for its "genius grants" to individuals is now is awarding millions to organizations – including two in Chicago.

As WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports, the grants by the Chicago-based John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation range from $350,000 to $2.5 million each, and are going to 15 public service groups that all have been supported by the foundation in the past.

The two Chicago groups getting a total of nearly $3 million are the Community Investment Corporation, and Business and Professional People for the Public Interest.

The Community Reinvestment Corporation, which is receiving $2 million, provides help to developers of low- to moderate-income rental housing in Chicago.

Business and Professional People for the Public Interest works to strengthen poor communities, improve schools, preserve housing for low- and moderate-income people, and promote what it calls "honest government in Illinois."

The biggest grant for this year -- $2.5 million -- went to the Carnegie Moscow Center for its impartial analysis of Russian politics and policy.

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Regine Schlesinger reports