Private foundation · EIN 26-2386882 · St Charles, Illinois · Human services

Burns Legacy 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, $165K total, median $10K. 47% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
17
$165K
Median grant
$10K
Stays in IL
47%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$3.0M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
RcosaChicago, ILCharitable$20K
Waukegan to CollegeWaukegan, ILCharitable$15K
Mike Rowe Works FoundationSanta Monica, CACharitable$15K
Alexian Brothers Scholarship FundElk Grove, ILCharitable/Educational$15K
MisericordiaChicago, ILCharitable$14K
Literacy Volunteers Fox ValleySt Charles, ILCharitable$12K
Imerman AngelsChicago, ILCharitable$10K
Sharing CenterTrevor, WICharitable$10K
Camp CourageousMonticello, IACharitable$10K
Alexian Brothers Behavioral HealthHoffman Estates, ILCharitable$10K
Foster PrideNew York, NYCharitable$10K
Brooklyn Public LibraryBrooklyn, NYCharitable$7,000
Doctors of Recital PartnersSuamico, WICharitable$5,000
Kenosha Welcome CenterPleasant Prairie, WIChartiable$5,000
Shalom CenterKenosha, WICharitable$2,500
CASA of the River RegionLouisville, KYCharitable$2,500
Culinary CareChicago, ILCharitable$2,000

By state: Illinois 8 · Wisconsin 4 · New York 2 · California 1 · Iowa 1 · Kentucky 1

About this foundation

Burns Legacy Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in St Charles, Illinois, administered in care of Brent Burns, tax-exempt since 2009. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

Foundation websiteAll filings on ProPublica

Does Burns Legacy 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 Burns Legacy Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $165K across 17 grants, a median of $10K.

Where does Burns Legacy Foundation give?

Illinois (8 grants), Wisconsin (4 grants), New York (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near St Charles that accept applications

All in Illinois
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Zimmers Family Foundationsince 2026 St Charles, IL — —Not stated $11M
Raymond C and Linda M Stachowiak Foundationsince 2009 St Charles, IL $221K19 grants · 2024 $7,500Preselected only $4.4M
Loftus Family Foundationsince 2003 St Charles, IL $89K32 grants · 2024 $2,000Preselected only $1.2M
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
The Brinson Foundationsince 2007 Chicago, IL $8.5M138 grants · 2024 $50KYes $228M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorialsince 1962 Chicago, IL $115M897 grants · 2024 $55KYes $2.4B
Builders Initiativesince 2017 Chicago, IL $97M392 grants · 2024 $150KPreselected only $1.7B
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