Private foundation · EIN 59-2752833 · Evanston, Illinois

Encourage Inc

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 2024 Form 990-PF: 7 grants paid, $9.0M total, median $883K. 14% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2024
7
$9.0M
Median grant
$883K
Stays in IL
14%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$40M

Grants paid in 2024

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Morgan Stanley Global Impact Funding Trust IncIndianapolis, INTo support public charities in the future$4.0M
Connection for the HomelessEvanston, ILTo support general operation$2.5M
Lake Wales Care CenterLake Wales, FLTo establish the poitras family fund for housing and literacy$1.0M
Anchor House Services IncAuburndale, FLTo support general operation, medical-related expenses and transition to success program$883K
St Alban's Episcopal ChurchAuburndale, FLTo support general operation and building/site maintenance$378K
Anchor House Inc of Polk CountyAuburndale, FLTo support general operation.$125K
Diocese of Central FloridaOrlando, FLSt. albans loan payoff (st. as borrowed $ for roof repair)$123K

By state: Indiana 1 · Florida 5 · Illinois 1

About this foundation

Encourage Inc is a private grantmaking foundation in Evanston, Illinois, administered in care of Paula a Miner, tax-exempt since 1987. 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 Encourage Inc accept grant applications?

No. On its 2024 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 Encourage Inc give each year?

In tax year 2024 it paid $9.0M across 7 grants, a median of $883K.

Where does Encourage Inc give?

Indiana (1 grants), Florida (5 grants), Illinois (1 grants), per its latest filing.

More foundations near Evanston that accept applications

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Lewis-Sebring Family Foundationsince 1998 Evanston, IL $3.1M66 grants · 2025 $5,000Preselected only $6.4M
Howard and Ursula Dubin Foundationsince 1997 Evanston, IL $516K59 grants · 2025 $5,000Yes $5.9M
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Irving M & Sylvia Footlik Foundationsince 1969 Evanston, IL $167K6 grants · 2024 $23KPreselected only $3.6M
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