Private foundation · EIN 37-1401632 · Bloomington, Illinois · Philanthropy & grantmaking

The Growmark 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: 171 grants paid, $1.0M total, median $2,000. 41% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
171
$1.0M
Median grant
$2,000
Stays in IL
41%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$2.3M

Grants paid in 2025

Top 60 of 171 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
University of Illinois FoundationChicago, ILFor student scholarships$133K
Iaa FoundationBloomington, ILFor support of agricultural activities$120K
National FFA FoundationIndianapolis, INFor support of agricultural leadership activities$101K
Midwest Food BankNormal, ILFor support of community charitable activities$55K
Agriculture Future of AmericaKansas City, MOFor support of agricultural activities$55K
Illinois Ag Leadership FoundationBloomington, ILFor support of agricultural leadership activities$43K
Wisconsin Farm Bureau FoundationMadison, WIFor support of agricultural activities$43K
Iowa Agriculture LiteracyWest Des Moines, IAFor support of agricultural activities$30K
Iowa State University FoundationAmes, IAFor support of education$27K
Childrens Discovery MuseumNormal, ILFor support of community charitable activities$26K
Global Farmer NetworkDes Moines, IAFor support of education$25K
Midatlantic 4r NutrientQueenstown, MDFor support of agricultural activities$25K
Pennsylvania Friends of AgricultureCamp Hill, PAFor support of agricultural activities$24K
Progressive Agriculture FoundationBirmingham, ALFor support of agricultural education$20K
McLean County Habitat for HumanityBloomington, ILFor support of community charitable activities$15K
NecasPeosta, IAFor support of agricultural education$13K
Living History Farms FoundationUrbandale, IAFor support of agricultural activities$10K
The Baby FoldNormal, ILFor support of community charitable activities$6,500
Council for Agricultural ScienceAmes, IAFor support of agricultural activities$6,000
Lake Land CollegeMattoon, ILFor support of education$6,000
University of Georgia FoundationAthens, GAFor student scholarships$6,000
Bloomington Normal CommunityBloomington, ILFor support of community charitable activities$5,000
Boys and Girls ClubBloomington, ILFor support of community charitable activities$5,000
Child Protection NetworkBloomington, ILFor support of community charitable activities$5,000
Christian County Farm BureauTaylorville, ILFor support of agricultural activities$5,000
Gateway Fs CharitableRed Bud, ILFor support of cooperative development activities$5,000
Ia Nutrient Research Educ CouncilDes Moines, IAFor support of agricultural activities$5,000
Sangamon County Farm Bureau FoundatSpringfield, ILFor support of agricultural activities$5,000
SelcasFairbury, ILFor support of community charitable activities$5,000
Southern Fs Charitable FoundationMarion, ILFor support of agricultural activities$5,000
Special OlympicsNormal, ILFor support of community charitable activities$5,000
Spoon River College FoundationCanton, ILFor student scholarships$5,000
United Way of Ashland CountyAshland, OHFor support of community charitable activities$5,000
UW FoundationPlatteville, WIFor student scholarships$5,000
Wounded Warrior Project IncJacksonville, FLFor support of community charitable activities$5,000
Highland Community CollegeFreeport, ILFor student scholarships$5,000
University of WimadisonMadison, WIFor support of education$4,500
University of WisconsinplattevillePlatteville, WIFor student scholarships$4,500
Des Moines Area CommunityAnkeny, IAFor student scholarships$4,000
Salvation ArmyBloomington, ILFor support of community charitable activities$3,575
Lincoln Land Community CollegeSpringfield, ILFor student scholarships$3,500
Northcentral Technical CollegeWausau, WIFor support of education$3,500
University of WisconsinRiver Falls, WIFor student scholarships$3,500
Illinois Foundation FFASpringfield, ILFor support of agricultural activities$3,100
Hugh Obrien Youth LeadershipNormal, ILFor support of community charitable activities$3,000
Optimist InternationalWinterset, IAFor support of community charitable activities$3,000
Pennsylvania State UniversityState College, PAFor student scholarships$2,630
Pediatric Resource CenterPeoria, ILFor support of community charitable activities$2,500
The Dollywood FoundationSevierville, TNFor support of community charitable activities$2,500
Western Avenue Community CenterBloomington, ILFor support of community charitable activities$2,500
Wisconsin Association of Ag EducatoSauk City, WIFor support of agricultural activities$2,500
Abraham Baldwine Agricultural ColleTiffin, GAFor support of agricultural education$2,000
Algonquin College Perth CampusPerth, CAFor student scholarships$2,000
All American Junion Show AajsMoweaqua, ILFor support of community charitable activities$2,000
Angelo State UniversitySan Angelo, TXFor student scholarships$2,000
Arizona State UniversityTempe, AZFor student scholarships$2,000
Blinn CollegeBrenham, TXFor student scholarships$2,000
Carlton UniversityOttawa, CAFor student scholarships$2,000
Des Moines Area Community CollegeDes Moines, IAFor student scholarships$2,000
Eastern Oklahoma State CollegeWilburton, OKFor student scholarships$2,000

By state: Illinois 70 · Iowa 34 · Indiana 2 · Wisconsin 16 · Missouri 4 · Pennsylvania 3

About this foundation

The Growmark Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Bloomington, Illinois, administered in care of Eric Wilcox, tax-exempt since 2001. 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 The Growmark 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 The Growmark Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $1.0M across 171 grants, a median of $2,000.

Where does The Growmark Foundation give?

Illinois (70 grants), Iowa (34 grants), Indiana (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Bloomington that accept applications

All in Illinois
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
State Farm Companies Foundationsince 1968 Bloomington, IL $8.6M4 grants · 2025 $1.3MYes $48M
Jerome Mirza Foundationsince 2000 Bloomington, IL $769K13 grants · 2025 $35KPreselected only $23M
Russell and Betty Shirk Foundationsince 1969 Bloomington, IL $1.2M18 grants · 2025 $6,575Yes $19M
Snyder Family Foundation Nfpsince 2006 Bloomington, IL $1.1M17 grants · 2024 $5,000Preselected only $9.3M
Paul a Funk Foundationsince 1968 Bloomington, IL $223K44 grants · 2024 $2,000Preselected only $8.7M
The Merwin Foundationsince 2017 Bloomington, IL $420K7 grants · 2025 $25KPreselected only $6.0M
Theo Sophia Charitysince 2020 Bloomington, IL $376K5 grants · 2025 $25KPreselected only $5.4M
Joseph F Fleming Charitable Trustsince 1991 Bloomington, IL $69K7 grants · 2025 $2,668Preselected only $4.8M
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