Private foundation · EIN 36-4284264 · Elmhurst, Illinois · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Thing 1 2 3 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: 26 grants paid, $257K total, median $10K. 50% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
26
$257K
Median grant
$10K
Stays in IL
50%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$3.4M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Book HarvestDurham, NCUnrestricted$25K
Northern Illinois Food BankGeneva, ILUnrestricted$20K
Elmhurst Yorkfield Food PantryElmhurst, ILUnrestricted$18K
St James Faith LabNewport Beach, CAUnrestricted$16K
Josselyn CenterNorthfield, ILUnrestricted$15K
Nourishing Hope Food PantryChicago, ILUnrestricted$15K
Second Harvest Fb of OcIrvine, CAUnrestricted$15K
Exodus World ServicesPark Ridge, ILUnrestricted$13K
Girl Scouts of AmericaNew York, NYUnrestricted$12K
Care for FriendsChicago, ILUnrestricted$10K
Chicago Youth Programs IncChicago, ILUnrestricted$10K
Gay and Lesbian Center of OcSanta Ana, CAUnrestricted$10K
Greater Chicago Food DepositoryChicago, ILUnrestricted$10K
Trans Youth Equality FoundationOrono, MEUnrestricted$10K
Cardz for KidzChicago, ILUnrestricted$7,500
Every Mom ChicagoChicago, ILUnrestricted$7,500
Save Our YouthEast Costa Mesa, CAUnrestricted$7,500
Chicago LightsChicago, ILUnrestricted$5,000
Childrens Hospital U of CChicago, ILUnrestricted$5,000
Cradles to CrayonsNewton, MAUnrestricted$5,000
Culinary CareChicago, ILUnrestricted$5,000
Food Bank of Easterncentral NcRaleigh, NCUnrestricted$5,000
Kaleidoscope Youth CenterColumbus, OHUnrestricted$5,000
LA Regional Food BankLos Angeles, CAUnrestricted$5,000
The Literacy ProjectNewport Beach, CAUnrestricted$1,000
Newport Harbor FoundationNewport Beach, CAUnrestricted$500

By state: Illinois 13 · California 7 · North Carolina 2 · New York 1 · Maine 1 · Massachusetts 1

About this foundation

Thing 1 2 3 Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Elmhurst, Illinois, administered in care of James T Ruprecht, tax-exempt since 2000. 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 Thing 1 2 3 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 Thing 1 2 3 Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $257K across 26 grants, a median of $10K.

Where does Thing 1 2 3 Foundation give?

Illinois (13 grants), California (7 grants), North Carolina (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Elmhurst that accept applications

All in Illinois
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Fermata Charitable Foundationsince 2007 Elmhurst, IL $186K17 grants · 2025 $5,000Preselected only $5.7M
John F Smiekel Foundationsince 2019 Elmhurst, IL $220K11 grants · 2025 $16KPreselected only $4.5M
Declaration of Tr Establishing St Rita Mercy Foundationsince 2016 Elmhurst, IL $270K7 grants · 2025 $25KPreselected only $4.3M
Arvey Foundationsince 1968 Elmhurst, IL $132K20 grants · 2025 $5,000Preselected only $1.3M
Alben F Bates and Clara G Bates Foundationsince 1955 Elmhurst, IL $709K156 grants · 2025 $3,000Preselected only $1.3M
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
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