Private foundation · EIN 61-6314816 · Chicago, Illinois · Philanthropy & grantmaking

The Bill Bass 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 2024 Form 990-PF: 59 grants paid, $836K total, median $10K. 76% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2024
59
$836K
Median grant
$10K
Stays in IL
76%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$12M

Grants paid in 2024

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan ChicagoChicago, ILGeneral funds$118K
Lurie Childrens FoundationChicago, ILGeneral funds$50K
Shirley Ryan Ability LabChicago, ILGeneral funds$50K
University of Illinois FoundationUrbana, ILGeneral funds$50K
Birthright Israel FoundationNew York, NYGeneral funds$46K
Malnati Brain Tumor InstituteChicago, ILGeneral funds$35K
Special Childrens CharitiesChicago, ILGeneral funds$28K
Chicago Police Memorial FoundationChicago, ILGeneral funds$25K
Greater Chicago Food DepositoryChicago, ILGeneral funds$25K
Cystic Fibrosis FoundationBehesda, MDGeneral funds$25K
Northwestern Memorial Healthcare FoundationChicago, ILGeneral funds$25K
National Multiple Sclerosis SocietyNew York, NYGeneral funds$20K
The Nora ProjectHighland Park, ILGeneral funds$20K
Am Shalom SynagogueGlencoe, ILGeneral funds$18K
Harold E Eisenberg FoundationNorthfield, ILGeneral funds$15K
FIRST Tee of Chicago FoundationChicago, ILGeneral funds$11K
Ravinia Festival AssociationHighland Park, ILGeneral funds$10K
St Ignatius College PrepChicago, ILGeneral funds$10K
Teach for AmericaNew York, NYGeneral funds$10K
National Campaign to Stop ViolenceWashington, DCGeneral funds$10K
The Helping Hand NetworkNorthbrook, ILGeneral funds$10K
Congregation BjbeDeerfield, ILGeneral funds$10K
Simon Wiesenthal CenterLos Angeles, CAGeneral funds$10K
American Cancer SocietyAtlanta, GAGeneral funds$10K
Crohn's Colitis FoundationNew York, NYGeneral funds$10K
Female StrongChicago, ILGeneral funds$10K
Northwestern LawChicago, ILGeneral funds$10K
Anthony Rizzo Family FoundationParkland, FLGeneral funds$10K
Imerman AngelsChicago, ILGeneral funds$10K
Pickles GroupWinnetka, ILGeneral funds$10K
We the Best FoundationLake Success, NYGeneral funds$10K
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education CenterSkokie, ILGeneral funds$7,500
Highland Park Community FoundationHighland Park, ILGeneral funds$7,500
Champaign Urbana BalletChampaign, ILGeneral funds$7,500
The Michael Hulett CharityVernon Hills, ILGeneral funds$6,000
Invest for Kids IncChicago, ILGeneral funds$5,000
Richard Schoenstadt Memorial FoundationScarsdale, NYGeneral funds$5,000
GlasaLake Forest, ILGeneral funds$5,000
Center for Enriched LivingRiverswoods, ILGeneral funds$5,000
Les Turner ALS FoundationSkokie, ILGeneral funds$5,000
MarklundGeneva, ILGeneral funds$5,000
Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer FoundationChicago, ILGeneral funds$5,000
Tap Cancer OutFort Mill, SCGeneral funds$5,000
Women EmployedChicago, ILGeneral funds$5,000
Council for Jewish ElderlyChicago, ILGeneral funds$5,000
Chicagoland Sports Hall of FameChicago, ILGeneral funds$5,000
Evans Scholar FoundationGlenview, ILGeneral funds$5,000
Friends of Oscar Mayer SchoolChicago, ILGeneral funds$5,000
Second SenseChicago, ILGeneral funds$5,000
The Breakthrough BoardChicago, ILGeneral funds$5,000
Old Town School of Folk MusicChicago, ILGeneral funds$2,500
Friends of the Israel Defense ForcesNew York, NYGeneral funds$2,500
National Italian American SportsChicago, ILGeneral funds$2,500
Goodman Theatre CompanyChicago, ILGeneral funds$2,500
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (mmrf)Norwalk, CTGeneral funds$2,500
Northmoor Education FoundationChicago, ILGeneral funds$2,500
Rebecca a Copreland FundHighland Park, ILGeneral funds$2,500
Guest HouseChicago, ILGeneral funds$2,000
The 100 Thousand FoundationDeerfield, ILGeneral funds$2,000

By state: Illinois 45 · New York 7 · Maryland 1 · District of Columbia 1 · California 1 · Georgia 1

About this foundation

The Bill Bass Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Chicago, Illinois, administered in care of Mindy Dryden, tax-exempt since 2006. 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 Bill Bass Foundation 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 The Bill Bass Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2024 it paid $836K across 59 grants, a median of $10K.

Where does The Bill Bass Foundation give?

Illinois (45 grants), New York (7 grants), Maryland (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Chicago that accept applications

All in Illinois
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Arie and Ida Crown Memorialsince 1962 Chicago, IL $115M897 grants · 2024 $55KYes $2.4B
Joyce Foundationsince 1949 Chicago, IL $52M470 grants · 2024 $80KYes $1.2B
Circle of Service Foundationsince 1994 Chicago, IL $37M637 grants · 2024 $25KYes $566M
Paul M Angell Family Foundationsince 2011 Chicago, IL $57M1 grants · 2024 $57MYes $92M
Spencer Foundationsince 1993 Chicago, IL $24M214 grants · 2024 $75KYes $667M
Email me matching grants