Virginia Lee Shirley Private Foundation

EIN 27-2545558 · IL · NTEE T22

Invitation only Typical grant ~$10K Funds in IL, MN, CA +6
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Giving Profile

In 2025, Virginia Lee Shirley Private Foundation based in IL paid 38 grants totaling $501K to 38 organizations across 9 states. Individual grants ranged from $1K to $55K, with a median of $10K. Its largest recipients included CAN DO CANINES, RAVINIA, and SOUTH SUBURBAN HUMANE SOCIETY. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications — giving is by invitation only.

Foundation at a Glance

Total assets
$6,712,861
Giving (latest yr)
$501,000
Filing year
2025
Itemized grants
38
Median grant
$10K
Recipients
38
States reached
9
Officers/trustees
3
Unsolicited applications
No — invitation only

Where the Money Goes

Top recipients

  • Can Do Canines$55,000
  • Ravinia$50,000
  • South Suburban Humane Society$30,000
  • St Mary's School and Catholic Church$30,000
  • Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation$25,000

Where grants went

  • Illinois$361,000 · 30 grants
  • Minnesota$55,000 · 1 grant
  • California$25,000 · 1 grant
  • North Carolina$25,000 · 1 grant
  • New York$10,000 · 1 grant
  • Iowa$10,000 · 1 grant

Grants Paid (38)

Can Do Canines
New Hope, MN
General Purposes
$55,000
Ravinia
Highland Park, IL
General Purposes
$50,000
South Suburban Humane Society
Matteson, IL
General Purposes
$30,000
St Mary's School and Catholic Church
Dixon, IL
General Purposes
$30,000
Deaf Unity - United Advocates Against Violence
Richmond, CA
General Purposes
$25,000
Lurie Children's Foundation
Chicago, IL
General Purposes
$25,000
St Peter's Catholic Church
Clifton, IL
General Purposes
$25,000
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation
Springfield, IL
General Purposes
$25,000
Duke Law School Annual Fund
Durham, NC
General Purposes
$25,000
Bishop Mcnamara Catholic School
Kankakee, IL
General Purposes
$20,000
Salvation Army
Chicago, IL
General Purposes
$20,000
Hadley Institute for the Blind
Winnetka, IL
General Purposes
$12,500

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FAQFrequently Asked Questions

No. Virginia Lee Shirley Private 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, Virginia Lee Shirley Private Foundation reported 38 itemized grants totaling $501K. Individual grants ranged from $1K to $55K (median $10K).

Recent recipients include CAN DO CANINES, RAVINIA, SOUTH SUBURBAN HUMANE SOCIETY, among 38 organizations in total. The full grant list is on this page.

Virginia Lee Shirley Private Foundation is a private foundation based in Illinois, per its IRS 990-PF filing.

Virginia Lee Shirley Private 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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