Private foundation · EIN 81-0839186 · Lake Forest, Illinois · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Robin and Sandy Stuart 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: 29 grants paid, $768K total, median $17K. 34% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
29
$768K
Median grant
$17K
Stays in IL
34%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$1.3M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Gorton Community CenterLake Forest, ILGeneral Support$114K
Heterodox AcademyNew York, NYGeneral Support$75K
The Nature Conservancy of South CarolinaMount Pleasant, SCPledge Payment$60K
Council of Independent CollegesWashington, DCCampus Free Expression$50K
Chicago Abortion FoundationChicago, ILGeneral Support$50K
Ragdale FoundationLake Forest, ILPledge Payment$50K
Future CaucusWashington, DCgeneral support$45K
History Society of Lake Forest Lake BluffLake Forest, ILPledge Payment$42K
Foundation for Individual Rights in EducationPhiladelphia, PAGeneral Support$40K
James Madison ProgramPrinceton, NJGeneral Support$40K
Episcopal Church of NashvilleNashville, TNGeneral Support$35K
Institute of Politics at University of ChicagoChicago, ILInternship Program$30K
Savannah Music FestivalSavannah, GAGeneral Support$25K
Allies for Community BusinessChicago, ILNeighborhood Entrepreneurship Lab$20K
Elawa Farm FoundationLake Forest, ILPledge Payment$17K
Millennium Park FoundationChicago, ILGeneral Support$10K
Buffalo Bill Center of the WestCody, WYGeneral Support$10K
Yellowstone ForeverYellowstone Park, WYGeneral Support$10K
American Writer's MuseumChicago, ILOnward Project$10K
Yellowstone CoalitionBozeman, MTGeneral Support$10K
Lake Forest Open LandsLake Forest, ILGeneral Support$6,000
Food Bank of the RockiesAurora, COGeneral Support$5,000
The Nature Conservancy of South CarolinaMount Pleasant, SCGeneral Support$2,500
Uscb Chamber MusicBeaufort, SCGeneral Support$2,500
Nurturing Minds IncBoston, MASega Girls School$2,500
Christ & St Stephens ChurchNew York, NYGeneral Support$2,000
St Marks of SouthbridgeSouthborough, MAGeneral Support$2,000
Garden Club of AmericaNew York, NYGeneral Support$1,000
Christ & St Stephens ChurchNew York, NYCapital Fund$1,000

By state: Illinois 10 · District of Columbia 2 · New York 4 · South Carolina 3 · Pennsylvania 1 · New Jersey 1

About this foundation

Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Lake Forest, Illinois, administered in care of Teresa Acuna, tax-exempt since 2017. 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 Robin and Sandy Stuart 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 Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $768K across 29 grants, a median of $17K.

Where does Robin and Sandy Stuart Foundation give?

Illinois (10 grants), District of Columbia (2 grants), New York (4 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Lake Forest

All in Illinois
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
The John and Kathleen Schreiber Foundationsince 2005 Lake Forest, IL $32M60 grants · 2024 $263KPreselected only $185M
Grainger Foundation Incsince 1968 Lake Forest, IL $22M1 grants · 2025 $22MPreselected only $172M
National Recreation Foundation Incsince 1965 Lake Forest, IL $2.4M75 grants · 2025 $20KPreselected only $56M
The Buchanan Family Foundationsince 1967 Lake Forest, IL $2.5M154 grants · 2025 $10KPreselected only $39M
Crain-Maling Foundationsince 2006 Lake Forest, IL $1.2M134 grants · 2024 $5,000Preselected only $33M
William H & Lois J McEssy Foundationsince 1996 Lake Forest, IL $2.1M8 grants · 2024 $250KPreselected only $28M
Walter C Dissen Charitable Trsince 2024 Lake Forest, IL $1.3M15 grants · 2024 $12KPreselected only $25M
Knight Impact Partnerssince 2010 Lake Forest, IL $5.1M32 grants · 2024 $50KPreselected only $24M
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