The Buchanan Family Foundation

EIN 36-6160998 · IL

Invitation only Typical grant ~$10K Funds in IL, FL, MA +21
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Giving Profile

In 2025, The Buchanan Family Foundation based in IL paid 154 grants totaling $2.5M to 154 organizations across 24 states. Individual grants ranged from $2K to $100K, with a median of $10K. Its largest recipients included AVON OLD FARMS SCHOOL, SMITH COLLEGE, and HISTORY CENTER OF LAKE FOREST - LAKE BUFF. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications — giving is by invitation only.

Foundation at a Glance

Total assets
$38,924,707
Giving (latest yr)
$2,510,300
Filing year
2025
Itemized grants
154
Median grant
$10K
Recipients
154
States reached
24
Officers/trustees
6
Unsolicited applications
No — invitation only

Where the Money Goes

Top recipients

  • Avon Old Farms School$100,000
  • Smith College$100,000
  • History Center of Lake Forest - Lake Buff$75,000
  • Tall Pines Conservatory$75,000
  • Lake County Community Foundation$60,000

Where grants went

  • Illinois$1,160,500 · 74 grants
  • Florida$252,500 · 18 grants
  • Massachusetts$130,000 · 4 grants
  • Montana$130,000 · 9 grants
  • Connecticut$129,500 · 4 grants
  • New York$102,800 · 5 grants

Grants Paid (154)

Smith College
Northhampton, MA
General, Operating, Endowment OR Capital.
$100,000
Avon Old Farms School
Avon, CT
General, Operating, Endowment OR Capital.
$100,000
Tall Pines Conservatory
Nashotah, WI
General, Operating, Endowment OR Capital.
$75,000
History Center of Lake Forest - Lake Buff
Chicago, IL
General, Operating, Endowment OR Capital.
$75,000
Lake County Community Foundation
Lake Forest, IL
General, Operating, Endowment OR Capital.
$60,000
Ohio State University College of Veterinary
Columbus, OH
General, Operating, Endowment OR Capital.
$55,000
Feinstein Institute
Manhasset, NY
General, Operating, Endowment OR Capital.
$50,000
Delta Waterfowl
Bismark, ND
General, Operating, Endowment OR Capital.
$50,000
Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN
General, Operating, Endowment OR Capital.
$50,000
Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation
Hobe Sound, FL
General, Operating, Endowment OR Capital.
$50,000
Bozeman Sports Park Foundation
Bozeman, MT
General, Operating, Endowment OR Capital.
$50,000
College of Lake County Foundation
Grayslake, IL
General, Operating, Endowment OR Capital.
$45,000

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FAQFrequently Asked Questions

No. The Buchanan Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications — its grantmaking is by invitation only. Cultivating a relationship or securing an introduction is typically required.

In its most recent filing, The Buchanan Family Foundation reported 154 itemized grants totaling $2.5M. Individual grants ranged from $2K to $100K (median $10K).

Recent recipients include AVON OLD FARMS SCHOOL, SMITH COLLEGE, HISTORY CENTER OF LAKE FOREST - LAKE BUFF, among 154 organizations in total. The full grant list is on this page.

The Buchanan Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Illinois, per its IRS 990-PF filing.

The Buchanan Family Foundation gives by invitation only, so there is no open application. Officer and address details from its 990-PF are the best starting point for an introduction.

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