How to apply
Submit a letter stating purpose of grant and include copy of exemption letter Contact: Peter Dillon, Po Box 537, Sterling, Il, 8156269000 Deadlines: NONE Restrictions: NONE
Quoted from Part XV of the foundation's 2024 Form 990-PF; the full text is in the filing. Confirm on the foundation's website before you write.
Grants paid in 2024
Top 60 of 134 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Sterling Park DistrictSterling, IL | To support community improvement | $868K |
| Sterling Riverfront FoundationSterling, IL | To support community improvement/dev | $383K |
| Woodlawn Arts AcademySterling, IL | To support arts, culture, humanities | $230K |
| Sterling Park District - Museum AssociationSterling, IL | To support arts, culture, humanities | $196K |
| United Way of Whiteside CountySterling, IL | To support human service activities | $193K |
| Community Unit School District 5Sterling, IL | In support of education/instruction | $159K |
| Sterling Public LibrarySterling, IL | To support arts, culture, humanities | $153K |
| Greater Sterling Development CorpSterling, IL | To support community improvement | $145K |
| Whiteside Area Career CenterSterling, IL | To support education/instruction | $84K |
| Sauk Valley Community College FoundationDixon, IL | To support education/instruction | $78K |
| Rock River Hospice and HomeSterling, IL | In support of human service | $69K |
| City of SterlingSterling, IL | To support community improvement | $58K |
| Sterling Rock Falls Family YMCASterling, IL | In support of human service | $55K |
| Sterling Schools FoundationSterling, IL | To support education/instruction | $49K |
| FIRST Presbyterian ChurchSterling, IL | In support of religion/spiritual dev | $37K |
| Grace Episcopal ChurchSterling, IL | To support religion/spiritual develo | $36K |
| Timber Lake PlayhouseMount Carroll, IL | To support arts, culture, humanities | $31K |
| Whiteside County Senior CenterSterling, IL | To support human service activites | $30K |
| Rock River Stone Real Estate LLCRock Falls, IL | To support community improvement | $25K |
| St Mary's School Saints ClubRaleigh, NC | In support of education/instruction | $25K |
| Cgh Health FoundationSterling, IL | To support health/general and relate | $22K |
| Sterling Rock Falls Historical SocietySterling, IL | To support arts, culture, humanities | $22K |
| YWCA of the Sauk ValleySterling, IL | To support human service activities | $22K |
| St Mark's Episcopal ChurchGeneva, IL | To support religion/spiritual develo | $20K |
| Mayo Foundation for Medical Educati and ResearchRochester, MN | To support health/general | $19K |
| The Salvation ArmySterling, IL | To support human service activities | $17K |
| Sauk Valley FoodbankSterling, IL | To support food, nutrition, and ag | $16K |
| Rock Falls Elementary SchoolRock Falls, IL | In support of education/instruction | $15K |
| Rock River Valley Self Help EnterprisesSterling, IL | To support education/instruction | $15K |
| The Museum of FlightSeattle, WA | To support arts, culture, humanities | $14K |
| The Associated Colleges of IllinoisChicago, IL | To support education/instruction | $13K |
| Cornerstone Special CareSterling, IL | To support health/general | $12K |
| Berea CollegeBerea, KY | To support education/instruction | $11K |
| Coloma Township Park DistrictRock Falls, IL | To support recreation, leisure, spor | $10K |
| Community Christmas for ChildrenSterling, IL | To support human service activities | $10K |
| Living Well Cancer Resource CenterGeneva, IL | In support of health/general related | $10K |
| Lutheran Social Services of IllinoisSterling, IL | To support arts, culture, humanities | $10K |
| Rock Falls Public LibraryRock Falls, IL | To support arts, culture, humanities | $10K |
| Tri-County Opportunities CouncilRock Falls, IL | To support housing & shelter | $10K |
| Twin City Public Action to Deliver Shelter IncSterling, IL | To support public safety/emergency | $10K |
| Girl Scouts of Northern IllinoisFreeport, IL | In support of youth development | $9,500 |
| Franklin Creek Conservation AssociationFranklin Grove, IL | To support environmental quality | $9,000 |
| Presbyterian Church (USA) FoundatioJeffersonville, IN | To support religion/spiritual develo | $9,000 |
| St Jude Children's Research HospitaMemphis, TN | To support health/general and relate | $9,000 |
| The Culver Educational FoundationCulver, IN | To support education/instruction | $8,750 |
| University of DubuqueDubuque, IA | To support education/instruction | $8,750 |
| Rock Falls Township High School District 301Rock Falls, IL | To support education/instruction | $8,712 |
| Bi-County Cooperative FoundationSterling, IL | In support of education/instruction | $8,500 |
| Boy Scouts of America Blackhawk Area CouncilRockford, IL | In support of youth development | $8,500 |
| Erie County SPCAWest Seneca, NY | In support of animals | $8,000 |
| Rockford UniversityRockford, IL | To support education/instruction | $8,000 |
| University of Colorado Foundation IncDenver, CO | To support education/instruction | $8,000 |
| Hope Cancer Wellness CenterDixon, IL | In support of human service | $7,500 |
| The Nature Conservancy of Il ChapterChicago, IL | To support environmental quality | $7,500 |
| YMCA at University of IllinoisChampaign, IL | To support human service activities | $7,500 |
| ACS Relay for Life of Sauk ValleySterling, IL | To support health/general and relate | $7,000 |
| Mr Grey's Strays IncBrockport, NY | In support of animals | $7,000 |
| Northern Illinois University Foundation - WniuDekalb, IL | To support arts, culture, humanities | $7,000 |
| Seymour LibraryBrockport, NY | To support arts, culture, humanities | $7,000 |
| St Charles Library FoundationSt Peters, MO | To support arts, culture, humanities | $7,000 |
By state: Illinois 94 · New York 7 · North Carolina 3 · Colorado 7 · Minnesota 3 · Indiana 3
About this foundation
Dillon Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Sterling, Illinois, tax-exempt since 1955. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.
Does Dillon Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. On its 2024 Form 990-PF the foundation indicates it accepts applications. Submit a letter stating purpose of grant and include copy of exemption letter Deadlines: NONE.
How much does Dillon Foundation give each year?
In tax year 2024 it paid $3.6M across 134 grants, a median of $6,000.
Where does Dillon Foundation give?
Illinois (94 grants), New York (7 grants), North Carolina (3 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.
More foundations near Sterling that accept applications
All in Illinois| Foundation | Based in | Grants paid | Median grant | Accepts applications | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sterling Today Incsince 1991 | Sterling, IL | $121K4 grants · 2025 | $17K | Preselected only | $6.6M |
| Howard G Buffett Foundationsince 1999 | Decatur, IL | $699M1 grants · 2025 | $699M | Preselected only | $721M |
| John D & Catherine T Macarthur Foundationsince 1971 | Chicago, IL | $356M1,086 grants · 2024 | $160K | Preselected only | $8.7B |
| Arie and Ida Crown Memorialsince 1962 | Chicago, IL | $115M897 grants · 2024 | $55K | Yes | $2.4B |
| Builders Initiativesince 2017 | Chicago, IL | $97M392 grants · 2024 | $150K | Preselected only | $1.7B |
| Joyce Foundationsince 1949 | Chicago, IL | $52M470 grants · 2024 | $80K | Yes | $1.2B |
| St George Corporationsince 2021 | Burr Ridge, IL | $34M5 grants · 2024 | $1.0M | Preselected only | $768M |
| 1111 Foundationsince 2013 | Highland Park, IL | $28M54 grants · 2024 | $50K | Preselected only | $579M |