Private foundation · EIN 36-6081072 · Elmhurst, Illinois

Alben F Bates and Clara G Bates 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: 156 grants paid, $709K total, median $3,000. 35% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
156
$709K
Median grant
$3,000
Stays in IL
35%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$1.3M

Grants paid in 2025

Top 60 of 156 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Gigi's Playhouse - ChicagoChicago, ILUnrestricted$28K
Elmhurst Heritage FoundationElmhurst, ILUnrestricted$20K
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital AssnElmhurst, ILUnrestricted$20K
Elmhurst UniversityElmhurst, ILUnrestricted$20K
Ocean Reef Cultural CenterKey Largo, FLUnrestricted$20K
Wts Boston Charitable Fund IncReading, MAUnrestricted$18K
Geneva Lake Water Safety CommitteeWilliams Bay, WIUnrestricted$17K
Venture Unknown FoundationPendleton, SCUnrestricted$17K
Elmhurst Family YMCAElmhurst, ILUnrestricted$16K
Keys Children FoundationKey Largo, FLUnrestricted$15K
Friends of the Viking ShipSt Charles, ILUnrestricted$13K
Himalayan Children's FundBeverly Hills, CAUnrestricted$13K
American Theatre WingNew York, NYUnrestricted$10K
Fight With MeStanley, NCUnrestricted$10K
Friends of Pilgrim SchoolLos Angeles, CAUnrestricted$10K
Hard Edged Hope FoundationNew York, NYUnrestricted$10K
Loyola Cardinal Bernadine CenterMaywood, ILUnrestricted$10K
VoterunleadHartsdale, NYUnrestricted$10K
Yellowstoneyukon ConservationCanmore Tw P, CAUnrestricted$10K
Cove SchoolNorthbrook, ILUnrestricted$8,750
Every OrgSan Francisco, CAUnrestricted$8,000
Lurie Childrens Hospital FoundationChicago, ILUnrestricted$8,000
Colorado Outward Bound SchoolHayden, COUnrestricted$7,000
Natl Alopecia Areata FoundSan Rafael, CAUnrestricted$7,000
Wbez-NprChicago, ILUnrestricted$7,000
Brookfield ZooBrookfield, ILUnrestricted$6,500
Hcs Family ServicesHinsdale, ILUnrestricted$6,500
Greene County Habitat for HumanityGreensboro, GAUnrestricted$6,000
Lake Geneva Fresh Air AssociationWilliams Bay, WIUnrestricted$6,000
Oracle Schools FoundationCatalina, AZUnrestricted$6,000
Pisgah Area SorbaSkyland, NCUnrestricted$5,500
Brain & Behavior Research FdnNew York, NYUnrestricted$5,000
Brigham and Women's HospitalBoston, MAUnrestricted$5,000
Charlotte Rescue MissionCharlotte, NCUnrestricted$5,000
Episcopal Church of Our SaviorElmhurst, ILUnrestricted$5,000
Hopewell High SchoolHuntersville, NCUnrestricted$5,000
Neo PhilanthropyNew York, NYUnrestricted$5,000
Northwestern Memorial FoundationChicago, ILUnrestricted$5,000
Safe Haven for CatsRaleigh, NCUnrestricted$5,000
Special Children's CharitiesChicago, ILUnrestricted$5,000
St Jude Children's Research HospMemphis, TNUnrestricted$5,000
Thillen Education FoundationGreensboro, GAUnrestricted$5,000
University of Az FoundationTucson, AZUnrestricted$5,000
Vassar CollegePoughkeepsie, NYUnrestricted$5,000
Bali Animal Welfare AssociationWalnut Creek, CAUnrestricted$4,000
Cass Community Social ServicesDetroit, MIUnrestricted$4,000
Freedom House DetroitDetroit, MIUnrestricted$4,000
Friends of WlrnMiami, FLUnrestricted$4,000
Geneva Lake Environmental AgencyWilliams Bay, WIUnrestricted$4,000
Geneva Lakes Family YMCALake Geneva, WIUnrestricted$4,000
Hinsdale Hospital FoundationHinsdale, ILUnrestricted$4,000
Holy Family MinistriesNorthbrook, ILUnrestricted$4,000
K-9 Protectors IncPiqua, OHUnrestricted$4,000
Mercy Walworth Medical CenterJanesville, WIUnrestricted$4,000
Ocean ConservancyWashington, DCUnrestricted$4,000
Ocean Reef Community FoundationKey Largo, FLRestricted$4,000
Planned Parenthood of the HeartlandDes Moines, IAUnrestricted$4,000
Sea Turtle ConservancyGainsville, FLUnrestricted$4,000
U S Fund for UNICEFNew York, NYUnrestricted$4,000
Meals on Wheels - Orange County NcChapel Hill, NCUnrestricted$3,500

By state: Illinois 54 · Wisconsin 20 · New York 12 · Florida 10 · California 8 · North Carolina 7

About this foundation

Alben F Bates and Clara G Bates Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Elmhurst, 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.

All filings on ProPublica

Does Alben F Bates and Clara G Bates 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 Alben F Bates and Clara G Bates Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $709K across 156 grants, a median of $3,000.

Where does Alben F Bates and Clara G Bates Foundation give?

Illinois (54 grants), Wisconsin (20 grants), New York (12 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
Thing 1 2 3 Foundationsince 2000 Elmhurst, IL $257K26 grants · 2025 $10KPreselected only $3.4M
Arvey Foundationsince 1968 Elmhurst, IL $132K20 grants · 2025 $5,000Preselected 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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