Private foundation · EIN 37-6227827 · Jacksonville, Illinois

Bound to Stay Bound Books 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: 40 grants paid, $200K total, median $2,610. 65% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
40
$200K
Median grant
$2,610
Stays in IL
65%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$4.7M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Prairieland United WayJacksonville, ILCharitable Donation$25K
Dollywood FoundationSevierville, TNImagination Library Donation$18K
Texas Library AssocationAustin, TXBluebonnet Program Support$15K
AaslChicago, ILTravel Grants$13K
Reading Is FundamentalWashington, DCCharitable Donation$11K
AlaChicago, ILLibrary Champion and United for Libraries$9,000
Moravian UniversityBethlehem, PAScholarship for Smantha Meskilll$8,500
Missouri University of Science and TechnologyRolla, MOScholarship for Lexi Lane$8,500
Illinois State UniversityNormal, ILScholarship for Liam Lane$8,500
San Jose UniversitySan Jose, CAALA Scholarship for Amber Katherine OBrien$8,000
University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WIALA Scholarship for Allison Alcena$8,000
University of BuffaloBuffalo, NYALA Scholarship for Haley Neil$8,000
Rutgers UniversityNew Brunswick, NJALA Scholarship for Ruadhan Quartz Lee Hettrich$8,000
Illinois Nature ConservancyLewiston, ILCharitable Donation$7,500
Jacksonville Area MuseumJacksonville, ILCharitable Donation$5,000
AlscChicago, ILCharitable Donation$4,000
Jacksonville Public LibraryJacksonville, ILCharitable Donation$3,000
Jacksonville Food CenterJacksonville, ILCharitable Donation$3,000
New Directions Warming and Cooling CenterJacksonville, ILCharitable Donation$3,000
Morgan County Historical SocietyJacksonville, ILCharitable Donation$2,720
Jacksonville Symphony SocietyJacksonville, ILChildrens Concert Donation$2,500
Jacksonville Public Schools FoundationJacksonville, ILCharitable Donation$2,000
Jacksonville Memorial Hospital FoundationJacksonville, ILCharitable Donation$2,000
Bob Freesen YMCAJacksonville, ILCharitable Donation$2,000
Illinois State Historical SocietySpringfield, ILCharitable Donation$2,000
Salvation ArmyJacksonville, ILCharitable Donation$2,000
Alzheimer's AssociationWashington, DCCharitable Donation$1,000
Jacksonville Main StreetJacksonville, ILConcert Series Donation$1,000
Jacksonville Area Chamber of CommerceJacksonville, ILTeacher Appreciation Event Donation$1,000
Spirit of FaithJacksonville, ILCharitable Donation$1,000
West Central Mass TransitJacksonville, ILCharitable Donation$1,000
American Red CrossWashington, DCCharitable Donation$1,000
Illinois CollegeJacksonville, ILSchewe Libary Donation$1,000
Midwest Youth ServicesJacksonville, ILCharitable Donation$1,000
Parkinsons-Jrp MemorialMiami, FLParkinsons Research$1,000
American Cancer SocietyAtlanta, GACharitable Donation$500
American Heart AssociationDallas, TXCharitable Donation$500
Jacksonville Area Center for Independent LivingJacksonville, ILCharitable Donation$500
Girl ScoutsSpringfield, ILCharitable Donation$150
Boy ScoutsSpringfield, ILCharitable Donation$150

By state: Illinois 26 · Tennessee 1 · Texas 2 · District of Columbia 3 · Pennsylvania 1 · Missouri 1

About this foundation

Bound to Stay Bound Books Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Jacksonville, Illinois, administered in care of Lori Smith, tax-exempt since 1985. 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 Bound to Stay Bound Books 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 Bound to Stay Bound Books Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $200K across 40 grants, a median of $2,610.

Where does Bound to Stay Bound Books Foundation give?

Illinois (26 grants), Tennessee (1 grants), Texas (2 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Jacksonville that accept applications

All in Illinois
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
The Henry Foundation Incsince 1987 Jacksonville, IL $1.3M1 grants · 2025 $1.3MPreselected only $12M
Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation Incorporated Welden Associatessince 1983 Jacksonville, IL $1.8M1 grants · 2025 $1.8MPreselected only $11M
Nelson Mead Fundsince 1967 Jacksonville, IL $461K1 grants · 2023 $461KPreselected only $5.6M
Bruce and Emilie Reid Family Foundation Incsince 2023 Jacksonville, IL $292K1 grants · 2025 $292KPreselected only $2.1M
The Hobbs Foundationsince 1987 Jacksonville, IL $440K1 grants · 2025 $440KPreselected 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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