How to apply
Contact James A Shirk for Further Information Contact: James a Shirk, 103 N Robinson, Bloomington, Il, 3098278580 Deadlines: May 1 and October 1 of each year Restrictions: Grants are primarily considered for Youth Programs and for Organizations located in Mclean County Illinois
Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2025 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.
Grants paid in 2025
18 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| B-N YMCA Charitable Foundation NfpBloomington, IL | YMCA Building | $832K |
| Illinois Wesleyan UniversityBloomington, IL | Shirk Center Endowment | $250K |
| Prairie Cities Soccer LeagueBloomington, IL | Program Expense | $20K |
| Illinois Prairie Community FoundationBloomington, IL | Program Expense | $14K |
| Illinois State UniversityNormal, IL | Program Expense | $14K |
| The Arts Campus at WillitsBasalt, CO | Program Expense | $14K |
| Beyond the Books Educational FoundationBloomington, IL | Program Expense | $10K |
| West Point School of MusicChicago, IL | Program Expense | $10K |
| Isu FoundationNormal, IL | Program Expense | $8,150 |
| Town of Normal Childrens Discovery MuseumNormal, IL | Program Expense | $5,000 |
| Chicago Fair TradeChicago, IL | Program Expense | $5,000 |
| Healthnetwork FoundationPepper Pike, OH | Program Expense | $5,000 |
| Simmons UniversityBoston, MA | Program Expense | $4,000 |
| University of IllinoisChampaign, IL | Program Expense | $4,000 |
| Young LifeColorado Springs, CO | Program Expense | $3,000 |
| Lifelong AccessNormal, IL | Program Expense | $2,500 |
| Hope CollegeHolland, MI | Program Expense | $2,000 |
| Christ Episcopal ChurchAspen, CO | Program Expense | $1,300 |
By state: Illinois 12 · Colorado 3 · Ohio 1 · Massachusetts 1 · Michigan 1
About this foundation
Russell and Betty Shirk Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Bloomington, Illinois, tax-exempt since 1969. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.
Does Russell and Betty Shirk Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation indicates it accepts applications. Contact James A Shirk for Further Information Deadlines: May 1 and October 1 of each year.
How much does Russell and Betty Shirk Foundation give each year?
In tax year 2025 it paid $1.2M across 18 grants, a median of $6,575.
Where does Russell and Betty Shirk Foundation give?
Illinois (12 grants), Colorado (3 grants), Ohio (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.
More foundations near Bloomington that accept applications
All in Illinois| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Farm Companies Foundationsince 1968 | Bloomington, IL | $8.6M4 grants · 2025 | $1.3M | Yes | $48M |
| Jerome Mirza Foundationsince 2000 | Bloomington, IL | $769K13 grants · 2025 | $35K | Preselected only | $23M |
| Snyder Family Foundation Nfpsince 2006 | Bloomington, IL | $1.1M17 grants · 2024 | $5,000 | Preselected only | $9.3M |
| Paul a Funk Foundationsince 1968 | Bloomington, IL | $223K44 grants · 2024 | $2,000 | Preselected only | $8.7M |
| The Merwin Foundationsince 2017 | Bloomington, IL | $420K7 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $6.0M |
| Theo Sophia Charitysince 2020 | Bloomington, IL | $376K5 grants · 2025 | $25K | Preselected only | $5.4M |
| Joseph F Fleming Charitable Trustsince 1991 | Bloomington, IL | $69K7 grants · 2025 | $2,668 | Preselected only | $4.8M |
| Parker Kemp Foundationsince 1969 | Bloomington, IL | $271K55 grants · 2025 | $2,000 | Preselected only | $3.8M |