Private foundation · EIN 20-7034733 · Elmhurst, Illinois · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Fermata Charitable Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 17 grants paid, $186K total, median $5,000. 65% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
17
$186K
Median grant
$5,000
Stays in IL
65%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$5.7M

Grants paid in 2025

17 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
St Paul Lutheran ChurchVilla Park, ILProgram Support$85K
Northern Illinois Food BankGeneva, ILProgram Support$25K
Dupage Pads IncWheaton, ILProgram Support$18K
NAMI Johnson CountyIowa City, IAProgram Support$10K
Shelter HouseIowa City, IAProgram Support$10K
NAMI Dupage Community CenterWheaton, ILProgram Support$8,000
Zion Lutheran ChurchIowa City, IAProgram Support$6,000
Esther's FriendsChicago, ILProgram Support$5,000
Bridge CommunitiesGlen Ellyn, ILProgram Support$5,000
New MomsChicago, ILProgram Support$4,000
Outreach HouseLombard, ILProgram Support$2,000
Breakthrough T1dHagerstown, MDProgram Support$2,000
Roger Baldwin Foundation (ACLU)Chicago, ILProgram Support$2,000
ScarceAddison, ILProgram Support$1,000
League of Womens Voters Education FundWashington, DCProgram Support$1,000
Pancreatic Cancer Action NetworkBoone, IAProgram Support$1,000
People's Resource CenterWheaton, ILProgram Support$1,000

By state: Illinois 11 · Iowa 4 · Maryland 1 · District of Columbia 1

About this foundation

Fermata Charitable Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Elmhurst, Illinois, administered in care of Gaylene R Nass, tax-exempt since 2007. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Fermata Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does Fermata Charitable Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $186K across 17 grants, a median of $5,000.

Where does Fermata Charitable Foundation give?

Illinois (11 grants), Iowa (4 grants), Maryland (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Elmhurst that accept applications

All in Illinois
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
John F Smiekel Foundationsince 2019 Elmhurst, IL $220K11 grants · 2025 $16KPreselected only $4.5M
Declaration of Tr Establishing St Rita Mercy Foundationsince 2016 Elmhurst, IL $270K7 grants · 2025 $25KPreselected only $4.3M
Thing 1 2 3 Foundationsince 2000 Elmhurst, IL $257K26 grants · 2025 $10KPreselected only $3.4M
Arvey Foundationsince 1968 Elmhurst, IL $132K20 grants · 2025 $5,000Preselected only $1.3M
Alben F Bates and Clara G Bates Foundationsince 1955 Elmhurst, IL $709K156 grants · 2025 $3,000Preselected only $1.3M
Howard G Buffett Foundationsince 1999 Decatur, IL $699M1 grants · 2025 $699MPreselected only $721M
John D & Catherine T Macarthur Foundationsince 1971 Chicago, IL $356M1,086 grants · 2024 $160KPreselected only $8.7B
Arie and Ida Crown Memorialsince 1962 Chicago, IL $115M897 grants · 2024 $55KYes $2.4B
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