Private foundation · EIN 27-2545558 · Chicago, Illinois · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Virginia Lee Shirley Private 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: 38 grants paid, $501K total, median $10K. 79% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
38
$501K
Median grant
$10K
Stays in IL
79%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$6.7M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Can Do CaninesNew Hope, MNGeneral purposes$55K
RaviniaHighland Park, ILGeneral purposes$50K
South Suburban Humane SocietyMatteson, ILGeneral purposes$30K
St Mary's School and Catholic ChurchDixon, ILGeneral purposes$30K
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library FoundationSpringfield, ILGeneral purposes$25K
Deaf Unity - United Advocates Against ViolenceRichmond, CAGeneral purposes$25K
Duke Law School Annual FundDurham, NCGeneral purposes$25K
Lurie Children's FoundationChicago, ILGeneral purposes$25K
St Peter's Catholic ChurchClifton, ILGeneral purposes$25K
Bishop McNamara Catholic SchoolKankakee, ILGeneral purposes$20K
Salvation ArmyChicago, ILGeneral purposes$20K
Hadley Institute for the BlindWinnetka, ILGeneral purposes$13K
Big Brothers Big Sisters - ChicagoChicago, ILGeneral purposes$10K
Civic Leadership FoundationNorthbrook, ILGeneral purposes$10K
Colgate University - Camp ColgateHamilton, NYGeneral purposes$10K
Cystic Fibrosis FoundationManteno, ILGeneral purposes$10K
Inspiration StablesLA Motte, IAGeneral purposes$10K
Mentor Teacher Brother IncChicago, ILGeneral purposes$10K
St Vincent de Paul SocietySterling, ILGeneral purposes$10K
The H FoundationLagrange, ILGeneral purposes$10K
Youth GuidanceChicago, ILGeneral purposes$10K
Chicago Police Memorial FoundationChicago, ILGeneral purposes$5,000
Collaborative Community Housing InitiativeHighland Park, ILGeneral purposes$5,000
Empower Youth NetworkCarnation, WAGeneral purposes$5,000
Fleur de Lis CampFitzwilliam, NHGeneral purposes$5,000
Glenwood AcademyGlenwood, ILGeneral purposes$5,000
Granny Rose Animal ShelterDixon, ILGeneral purposes$5,000
Kalo Foundation of Park RidgePark Ridge, ILGeneral purposes$5,000
National Parkinson's FoundationMiami, FLGeneral purposes$5,000
Newman Central Catholic High SchoolSterling, ILGeneral purposes$5,000
Rush University Medical Center - Hearing ResearchChicago, ILGeneral purposes$5,000
Way Back InnMaywood, ILGeneral purposes$5,000
Wttwwfmt Public Tv and RadioChicago, ILGeneral purposes$5,000
Boy Scout Troop 155Mount Prospect, ILGeneral purposes$3,000
Sw Il Jets Basketball ClubEdwardsville, ILGeneral purposes$2,500
Cgh Health FoundationSterling, ILGeneral purposes$1,000
Harmony House for CatsChicago, ILGeneral purposes$1,000
Latinos ProgresandoChicago, ILGeneral purposes$1,000

By state: Illinois 30 · Minnesota 1 · California 1 · North Carolina 1 · New York 1 · Iowa 1

About this foundation

Virginia Lee Shirley Private Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Chicago, Illinois, administered in care of Louis Harrison Harrison & Held Ll, tax-exempt since 2010. 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 Virginia Lee Shirley Private 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 Virginia Lee Shirley Private Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $501K across 38 grants, a median of $10K.

Where does Virginia Lee Shirley Private Foundation give?

Illinois (30 grants), Minnesota (1 grants), California (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

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