Private foundation · EIN 36-4043122 · Sycamore, Illinois · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Bickner Family 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: 18 grants paid, $190K total, median $5,000. 61% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
18
$190K
Median grant
$5,000
Stays in IL
61%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$2.3M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Dekalb County Community FoundationSycamore, ILUnrestricted$56K
Hillcrest Covenant ChurchDekalb, ILUnrestricted$48K
Family Service FoundationIron River, MIUnrestricted$20K
Sycamore United Methodist ChurchSycamore, ILUnrestricted$10K
Northwestern MedicalSycamore, ILUnrestricted$10K
University of MichiganAnn Arbor, MIUnrestricted$5,000
Evangelical Covenant ChurchChicago, ILUnrestricted$5,000
Covenant HarborLake Geneva, WIUnrestricted$5,000
Covenant PointLake Geneva, WIUnrestricted$5,000
University of Michigan KinesiologyAnn Arbor, MIUnristricted$5,000
University of Michigan Water PoloAnn Arbor, MIUnrestricted$5,000
North Park UniversityChicago, ILUnrestricted$5,000
Hope HavenDekalb, ILUnrestricted$5,000
Northern Illinois HospiceRockford, ILUnrestricted$2,000
Silverlake Conservitory of MusicLos Angeles, CAUnrestricted$1,500
Intervarsity Christian FellowshipWestmond, ILUnrestricted$1,000
Kishwaukee YMCADekalb, ILUnrestricted$1,000
Good Fellows DekalbsycamoreSycamore, ILUnrestricted$250

By state: Illinois 11 · Michigan 4 · Wisconsin 2 · California 1

About this foundation

Bickner Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Sycamore, Illinois, administered in care of Bruce P Bickner, tax-exempt since 1995. 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 Bickner Family 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 Bickner Family Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $190K across 18 grants, a median of $5,000.

Where does Bickner Family Foundation give?

Illinois (11 grants), Michigan (4 grants), Wisconsin (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Sycamore that accept applications

All in Illinois
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
From His Hand Foundationsince 2009 Sycamore, IL $1.2M60 grants · 2025 $16KPreselected only $23M
Ideal Industries Foundationsince 1987 Sycamore, IL $1.1M95 grants · 2025 $1,500Preselected only $6.5M
Douglas C and Lynn M Roberts Family Foundationsince 2008 Sycamore, IL $248K4 grants · 2025 $43KPreselected only $4.3M
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
Builders Initiativesince 2017 Chicago, IL $97M392 grants · 2024 $150KPreselected only $1.7B
Joyce Foundationsince 1949 Chicago, IL $52M470 grants · 2024 $80KYes $1.2B
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