Private foundation · EIN 36-3101263 · Chicago, Illinois

Mason Foundation Inc

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: 23 grants paid, $502K total, median $16K. 57% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
23
$502K
Median grant
$16K
Stays in IL
57%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$3.1M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Art Institute of Chicago and School of the Art Institute of ChicagoChicago, ILAnnual fund; school annual fund, department of the applied arts of europe-old master acquisition endowment; museum general operating suppor…$81K
Marine Corps Scholarship FoundationAlexandria, VAMason phelps memorial scholarship$48K
Hoover Institution at Stanford UniversityStanford, CAGeneral charitable purposes$39K
Lake Forest CollegeLake Forest, ILForester fund$39K
Christian Science Society Libertyville IlLibertyville, ILGeneral charitable purposes$32K
Vassar CollegePoughkeepsie, NYThe vassar fund$32K
Ravinia Festival and Ravinia Steans Music InstituteHighland Park, ILAnnual fund; steans institute$31K
Chicago Symphony OrchestraChicago, ILAnnual fund$23K
International Crane FoundationBaraboo, WIGeneral charitable purposes$23K
John G Shedd AquariumChicago, ILAnnual fund$23K
Lyric Opera of ChicagoChicago, ILAnnual campaign$23K
FIRST Church of Christ Scientist - BostonBoston, MAGeneral charitable purposes$16K
Lake Forest-Lake Bluff History CenterLake Forest, ILGeneral charitable purposes$16K
Outward Bound USABoulder, COGeneral charitable purposes$13K
Golden Apple FoundationChicago, ILGeneral charitable purposes$12K
Deer Path Art LeagueLake Forest, ILAnnual fund$7,000
Gorton Community CenterLake Forest, ILAnnual fund$7,000
Marine Mammal CenterSausalito, CAGeneral charitable purposes$7,000
Miss Halls SchoolPittsfield, MAAnnual fund$7,000
Northwestern Memorial FoundationChicago, ILGeneral charitable purposes$7,000
World Monuments FundNew York, NYGeneral charitable purposes$7,000
WttwChicago, ILGeneral charitable purposes$6,000
World Wildlife Fund - Development DepartmentWashington, DCPartners in conservation$3,000

By state: Illinois 13 · Virginia 1 · California 2 · New York 2 · Massachusetts 2 · Wisconsin 1

About this foundation

Mason Foundation Inc is a private grantmaking foundation in Chicago, Illinois, tax-exempt since 1981. 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 Mason Foundation Inc 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 Mason Foundation Inc give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $502K across 23 grants, a median of $16K.

Where does Mason Foundation Inc give?

Illinois (13 grants), Virginia (1 grants), California (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

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