Illinois Private Foundations & Charitable Funders

Our directory lists 1897 private foundations based in Illinois, compiled from IRS 990-PF filings. The most common giving areas are Education, Human Services, Health, Public & Societal Benefit. Most give by invitation only rather than accepting unsolicited proposals. Explore profiles to see each funder's giving history and whether it accepts unsolicited applications.

Health12

Health

Established

Childrens Care Foundation

Illinois

EducationHealthEducation

Assets: $73M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $2.6M

Funds in IL

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Health

Established

Visiting Nurse Association of Chicago

Illinois

EducationHuman ServicesPublic & Societal Benefit

Assets: $65.3M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $3.3M

Funds in IL · DC

View funder profile

Health

Established

Dauten Family Foundation

Illinois

Assets: $30.7M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $18.3M

Funds in IL · MA · NY +3

View funder profile

Health

Emerging

Washington Square Health Foundation Inc

Illinois

Human ServicesHealthHuman Services

Assets: $20.7M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $667.2K

Funds in IL · NY · DC

View funder profile

Health

Emerging

Janet Prindle Seidler Foundation

Illinois

Arts, Culture & HumanitiesHealthArts, Culture & Humanities

Assets: $15.3M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $361K

Funds in NY · CT · FL +3

Invitation only

View funder profile

Health

Emerging

Ed Watkowski Foundation

Illinois

Human ServicesHealthHuman Services

Assets: $14M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $1.1M

Funds in IL · KS · NY +3

Invitation only

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Health

Emerging

Vermilion Healthcare Foundation Inc

Illinois

Assets: $13.6M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $634.8K

Funds in IL

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Health

Emerging

Dorothea Berggren Charitable Foundation

Illinois

EducationHealthEducation

Assets: $11.6M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $4.4M

Funds in IL · AZ · MN

Invitation only

View funder profile

Health

Emerging

Gurtz Family Foundation

Illinois

Human ServicesHealthHuman Services

Assets: $10M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $620K

Funds in IL · NY · TN +2

Invitation only

View funder profile

Health

Emerging

Lee Ann and Melvin H Jacobs Foundation

Illinois

Human ServicesHealthHuman Services

Assets: $7M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $357.5K

Funds in CA · IL · VA +12

Invitation only

View funder profile

Health

Emerging

Adreani Foundation

Illinois

Assets: $6.7M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $593.2K

Funds in IL · WI · DC +8

Invitation only

View funder profile

Health

Emerging

Jerome Nerenberg 2000 Charitable Tr

Illinois

EducationHealthEducation

Assets: $6.1M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $1.1M

Funds in IL · NY · CT +3

Invitation only

View funder profile

All Health

Education12

Education

Established

Ernest Wentcher Educational Fund

Illinois

Education

Assets: $69.3M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $3M

Funds in IL · CA · MA +12

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Education

Established

Thomas J Watson Foundation Tr

Illinois

Education

Assets: $59.6M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $2.7M

Funds in DE

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Education

Established

Mazza Foundation

Illinois

HealthEducationHealth

Assets: $33.7M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $2.2M

Funds in IL · DC

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Education

Emerging

Fulk Family Foundation Inc

Illinois

Arts, Culture & HumanitiesEducationArts, Culture & Humanities

Assets: $24.6M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $23.5M

Funds in IL · IN · NE +10

Invitation only

View funder profile

Education

Emerging

Dz Liebmann Fund 7428018

Illinois

Assets: $19.1M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $677.3K

Funds in IN · MA · MN +6

View funder profile

Education

Emerging

Paul Mackall & E E B Mackall Tr Pt 16276

Illinois

Education

Assets: $18.9M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $1.2M

Funds in PA

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Education

Emerging

Hendrickson Family Foundation

Illinois

Human ServicesEducationHuman Services

Assets: $15.1M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $599.8K

Funds in CA · PA · VT +6

Invitation only

View funder profile

Education

Emerging

Earl and Bettie Fields Charitable Foundation Inc

Illinois

Assets: $15M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $1.1M

Funds in FL · IL · CA +12

View funder profile

Education

Emerging

Louise Orr Scott Fdn 6801004100

Illinois

Assets: $11.5M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $622.9K

Funds in OH

Invitation only

View funder profile

Education

Emerging

Spellman Family Foundation

Illinois

Human ServicesEducationHuman Services

Assets: $10.5M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $162.5K

Funds in IL · DC · UT +1

Invitation only

View funder profile

Education

Emerging

Kevin Walsh Family Foundation

Illinois

Human ServicesEducationHuman Services

Assets: $10.4M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $655.3K

Funds in IL · MI · NY +5

Invitation only

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Education

Emerging

Farmers Youth Education Foundation

Illinois

Assets: $9.5M
Giving / yr: —

Invitation only

View funder profile

All Education

Human Services12

Human Services

Established

Hendrick Home for Children Trust

Illinois

Assets: $81.8M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $5.3M

Funds in TX

Invitation only

View funder profile

Human Services

Established

National Recreation Foundation Inc

Illinois

Assets: $56.4M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $2.4M

Funds in IL · NY · SD +12

Invitation only

View funder profile

Human Services

Established

John D Brubaker Charitable Tr

Illinois

EducationHuman ServicesEducation

Assets: $31.2M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $1.3M

Funds in IL

Invitation only

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Human Services

Established

Bramsen Charitable Foundation

Illinois

Environment & AnimalsHuman ServicesEnvironment & Animals

Assets: $29.9M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $2.2M

Funds in IL

Invitation only

View funder profile

Human Services

Established

Hispanic Society of America Tr No 2 Pv 14989

Illinois

Assets: $27M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $1.7M

Funds in NY

Invitation only

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Human Services

Emerging

Fund for European Scouting Pt 16436

Illinois

International & Foreign AffairsHuman ServicesInternational & Foreign Affairs

Assets: $23.2M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $1.5M

Invitation only

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Human Services

Emerging

Kane County Fair

Illinois

Assets: $21.1M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $1.5K

Funds in IL

Invitation only

View funder profile

Human Services

Emerging

Woods Foundation

Illinois

Assets: $16M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $864.5K

Funds in IL · TN · NC

View funder profile

Human Services

Emerging

Ea Foundation

Illinois

Assets: $13.7M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $580K

Funds in IL

Invitation only

View funder profile

Human Services

Emerging

Ralph O Franzen Charitable Foundation

Illinois

Human Services

Assets: $13.1M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $858.9K

Funds in IL

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Human Services

Emerging

Kara Foundation

Illinois

HealthHuman ServicesHealth

Assets: $13.1M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $425K

Funds in IL · WI · FL +4

Invitation only

View funder profile

Human Services

Emerging

Jacqueline G Archer Charitable Tr

Illinois

HealthHuman ServicesHealth

Assets: $12.5M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $864.7K

Funds in CO · SD · CT +4

Invitation only

View funder profile

All Human Services

Arts, Culture & Humanities10

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Established

Revada Foundation

Illinois

Human ServicesArts, Culture & HumanitiesHuman Services

Assets: $54.4M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $3.9M

Funds in DC · IL · VA +9

Invitation only

View funder profile

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Established

Robert Allerton Trust Under Will Dated April 15 1964

Illinois

Assets: $36.9M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $2.3M

Funds in HI · IL

Invitation only

View funder profile

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Emerging

Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation

Illinois

Environment & AnimalsEducationPublic & Societal Benefit

Assets: $21.2M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $957K

Funds in FL · CA

Invitation only

View funder profile

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Emerging

Brunswick Foundation Inc

Illinois

HealthEducationHuman Services

Assets: $10.7M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $391.5K

Funds in IL

View funder profile

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Emerging

William P Hamilton Fund Uw Art

Illinois

Assets: $8.9M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $573.4K

Funds in NY

Invitation only

View funder profile

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Emerging

Defenbaugh Charitable Tr

Illinois

Assets: $8.2M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $610K

Funds in OH

Invitation only

View funder profile

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Emerging

Amer Acad & Inst of Arts & Letters Letters Pv 3960

Illinois

Assets: $7.5M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $461K

Funds in NY

Invitation only

View funder profile

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Emerging

Esther Simon Charitable Trust P-50418-00-6

Illinois

Public & Societal BenefitArts, Culture & HumanitiesPublic & Societal Benefit

Assets: $6.7M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $446.8K

Funds in NY · MA · CO +9

View funder profile

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Emerging

Mary B Galvin Foundation Inc

Illinois

Assets: $5.4M
Giving / yr: —

Invitation only

View funder profile

Arts, Culture & Humanities

Emerging

Peoria Symphony Foundation Inc

Illinois

Assets: $4.4M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $298.1K

Funds in IL

Invitation only

View funder profile

All Arts, Culture & Humanities

Environment & Animals9

Environment & Animals

Established

Nature Conservation Tr

Illinois

Assets: $163.1M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $31K

Invitation only

View funder profile

Environment & Animals

Established

Patricia a Bresky Family Foundation

Illinois

Human ServicesEnvironment & AnimalsHuman Services

Assets: $70.6M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $10.5M

Funds in MA · IL · TX +2

Invitation only

View funder profile

Environment & Animals

Established

Max Mcgraw Wildlife Foundation

Illinois

Assets: $47.8M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $5M

Funds in CO · OH

View funder profile

Environment & Animals

Established

Paul Liebman Family Foundation

Illinois

Human ServicesEnvironment & AnimalsHuman Services

Assets: $46.9M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $1.6M

Funds in OR · NY · CA +7

Invitation only

View funder profile

Environment & Animals

Emerging

Lee a & Mary Jane Rieth Foundation for Environmental Education

Illinois

Assets: $21.7M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $1.3M

Funds in IN

Invitation only

View funder profile

Environment & Animals

Emerging

Helen V Froehlich Foundation

Illinois

EducationEnvironment & AnimalsEducation

Assets: $17.1M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $1.4M

Funds in NY · IL

Invitation only

View funder profile

Environment & Animals

Emerging

Nancy Allison Perkins Foundation

Illinois

Human ServicesEnvironment & AnimalsHuman Services

Assets: $6.8M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $431K

Funds in IL · WI · NY +10

Invitation only

View funder profile

Environment & Animals

Emerging

Richardson Wildlife Foundation

Illinois

Assets: $5.7M
Giving / yr: —

Invitation only

View funder profile

Environment & Animals

Emerging

Ivar and Ruth Anderson Anti Cruelty Trust

Illinois

Assets: $4.8M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $300K

Funds in IL

Invitation only

View funder profile

All Environment & Animals

Public & Societal Benefit11

Public & Societal Benefit

Major funder

Abbvie Foundation

Illinois

HealthPublic & Societal BenefitHealth

Assets: $265.6M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $47.1M

Funds in IL · CA · TX +11

Invitation only

View funder profile

Public & Societal Benefit

Established

The Berens Foundation

Illinois

Assets: $86.4M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $1.1M

Funds in IL · IN · KY

Invitation only

View funder profile

Public & Societal Benefit

Established

Dillon Foundation

Illinois

Arts, Culture & HumanitiesHuman ServicesEducation

Assets: $79.3M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $3.6M

Funds in IL · CO · NY +12

View funder profile

Public & Societal Benefit

Established

Sequoia Farm Foundation

Illinois

Assets: $44.1M
Giving / yr: —

Invitation only

View funder profile

Public & Societal Benefit

Emerging

Northern Illinois Community Initiatives Inc

Illinois

Public & Societal Benefit

Assets: $22.2M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $500K

Funds in IL

Invitation only

View funder profile

Public & Societal Benefit

Emerging

Peggy and Steve Fossett Foundation

Illinois

Assets: $21.7M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $1.4M

Funds in IL · MO · NY +6

View funder profile

Public & Societal Benefit

Emerging

Tulsa Foundation

Illinois

Public & Societal Benefit

Assets: $17.7M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $995.7K

Funds in OK · IL · VA

Invitation only

View funder profile

Public & Societal Benefit

Emerging

Jnt Foundation

Illinois

Public & Societal Benefit

Assets: $15.2M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $1.5M

Funds in PA

Invitation only

View funder profile

Public & Societal Benefit

Emerging

Carillon Charitable Foundation Inc

Illinois

Public & Societal Benefit

Assets: $10.2M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $185K

Funds in IL

Invitation only

View funder profile

Public & Societal Benefit

Emerging

Lauer Foundation for Paleontology Science and Education Nfp

Illinois

Assets: $6.6M
Giving / yr: —

Invitation only

View funder profile

Public & Societal Benefit

Emerging

Aurora Womens Empowerment Foundation

Illinois

Human ServicesEducationHealth

Assets: $6.2M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $226.3K

Funds in IL

View funder profile

All Public & Societal Benefit

International & Foreign Affairs3

International & Foreign Affairs

Established

Ploughshares Foundation

Illinois

Human ServicesHuman ServicesEducation

Assets: $80.6M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $3.6M

Funds in MA · NY · DC +12

View funder profile

International & Foreign Affairs

Emerging

Rowan Foundation

Illinois

Public & Societal BenefitInternational & Foreign AffairsPublic & Societal Benefit

Assets: $24.3M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $2M

Funds in NY · CA · CO +2

Invitation only

View funder profile

International & Foreign Affairs

Emerging

Hochberg Family Foundation

Illinois

Public & Societal BenefitInternational & Foreign AffairsPublic & Societal Benefit

Assets: $9.3M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $913.5K

Funds in IL · NY · CA +12

Invitation only

View funder profile

All International & Foreign Affairs

Religion7

Religion

Established

James and Zita Gavin Foundation Inc

Illinois

Human ServicesReligionHuman Services

Assets: $32.4M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $3.3M

Funds in IL · IA · DC +12

Invitation only

View funder profile

Religion

Emerging

Tyson Fund

Illinois

Arts, Culture & HumanitiesReligionArts, Culture & Humanities

Assets: $16.5M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $915.5K

Funds in IN

Invitation only

View funder profile

Religion

Emerging

Mcintosh Foundation Inc

Illinois

EducationReligionEducation

Assets: $8.6M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $1.4M

Funds in IL · NY · CT +2

Invitation only

View funder profile

Religion

Emerging

Faye and Lee Alport Foundation

Illinois

Human ServicesEducationArts, Culture & Humanities

Assets: $6.4M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $244.2K

Funds in IL · AZ · FL +1

Invitation only

View funder profile

Religion

Emerging

Schmidt-messmer Perpetual Charitable Trust 3402761800

Illinois

Human ServicesHealth

Assets: $5.9M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $343K

Funds in KY · NY

Invitation only

View funder profile

Religion

Emerging

Ralph J Baudhuin Foundation

Illinois

EducationReligionEducation

Assets: $5.2M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $392K

Funds in IL · WI · KY +12

View funder profile

Religion

Emerging

Koroluk Foundation

Illinois

Religion

Assets: $5.2M
Giving / yr: 🎁 $265K

Funds in IL

Invitation only

View funder profile

All Religion

FAQFrequently Asked Questions

Our directory lists 1897 private foundations based in Illinois, compiled from IRS 990-PF filings.

The most common giving areas among Illinois foundations are Education, Human Services, Health, Public & Societal Benefit. Filter by cause to find funders aligned with your mission.

🏥 Health12

Childrens Care Foundation

Visiting Nurse Association of Chicago

Dauten Family Foundation

Washington Square Health Foundation Inc

Janet Prindle Seidler Foundation

Ed Watkowski Foundation

Vermilion Healthcare Foundation Inc

Dorothea Berggren Charitable Foundation

Gurtz Family Foundation

Lee Ann and Melvin H Jacobs Foundation

Adreani Foundation

Jerome Nerenberg 2000 Charitable Tr

🎓 Education12

Ernest Wentcher Educational Fund

Thomas J Watson Foundation Tr

Mazza Foundation

Fulk Family Foundation Inc

Dz Liebmann Fund 7428018

Paul Mackall & E E B Mackall Tr Pt 16276

Hendrickson Family Foundation

Earl and Bettie Fields Charitable Foundation Inc

Louise Orr Scott Fdn 6801004100

Spellman Family Foundation

Kevin Walsh Family Foundation

Farmers Youth Education Foundation

🤝 Human Services12

Hendrick Home for Children Trust

National Recreation Foundation Inc

John D Brubaker Charitable Tr

Bramsen Charitable Foundation

Hispanic Society of America Tr No 2 Pv 14989

Fund for European Scouting Pt 16436

Kane County Fair

Woods Foundation

Ea Foundation

Ralph O Franzen Charitable Foundation

Kara Foundation

Jacqueline G Archer Charitable Tr

🎨 Arts, Culture & Humanities10

Revada Foundation

Robert Allerton Trust Under Will Dated April 15 1964

Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Family Foundation

Brunswick Foundation Inc

William P Hamilton Fund Uw Art

Defenbaugh Charitable Tr

Amer Acad & Inst of Arts & Letters Letters Pv 3960

Esther Simon Charitable Trust P-50418-00-6

Mary B Galvin Foundation Inc

Peoria Symphony Foundation Inc

🌿 Environment & Animals9

Nature Conservation Tr

Patricia a Bresky Family Foundation

Max Mcgraw Wildlife Foundation

Paul Liebman Family Foundation

Lee a & Mary Jane Rieth Foundation for Environmental Education

Helen V Froehlich Foundation

Nancy Allison Perkins Foundation

Richardson Wildlife Foundation

Ivar and Ruth Anderson Anti Cruelty Trust

🏛️ Public & Societal Benefit11

Abbvie Foundation

The Berens Foundation

Dillon Foundation

Sequoia Farm Foundation

Northern Illinois Community Initiatives Inc

Peggy and Steve Fossett Foundation

Tulsa Foundation

Jnt Foundation

Carillon Charitable Foundation Inc

Lauer Foundation for Paleontology Science and Education Nfp

Aurora Womens Empowerment Foundation

🌍 International & Foreign Affairs3

Ploughshares Foundation

Rowan Foundation

Hochberg Family Foundation

⛪ Religion7

James and Zita Gavin Foundation Inc

Tyson Fund

Mcintosh Foundation Inc

Health12

Education12

Human Services12

Arts, Culture & Humanities10

Environment & Animals9

Public & Societal Benefit11

International & Foreign Affairs3

Religion7

FAQFrequently Asked Questions