Private foundation · EIN 87-2435825 · Chicago, Illinois · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Walter Lee Barker and Betty Ruth Barker 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: 14 grants paid, $1.3M total, median $100K. 64% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
14
$1.3M
Median grant
$100K
Stays in IL
64%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$19M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Greater Chicago Food BankChicago, ILGeneral charitable purposes$200K
Chicago SymphonyChicago, ILGeneral charitable purposes$100K
Cures Within ReachChicago, ILGeneral charitable purposes$100K
Doctors Without BordersHagerstown, MDGeneral charitable purposes$100K
Harvard CollegeBoston, MAGeneral charitable purposes$100K
Harvard Medical SchoolBoston, MAGeneral charitable purposes$100K
Lincoln Park ZooChicago, ILGeneral charitable purposes$100K
One Day to RememberPittsburgh, PAGeneral charitable purposes$100K
Shedd AquariumChicago, ILGeneral charitable purposes$100K
Wounded WarriorsChicago, ILGeneral charitable purposes$100K
Guest House ChicagoChicago, ILGeneral charitable purposes$75K
Field MuseumChicago, ILGeneral charitable purposes$50K
Museum of Science and IndustryChicago, ILGeneral charitable purposes$50K
Live Different USABradenton, FLGeneral charitable purposes$25K

By state: Illinois 9 · Massachusetts 2 · Maryland 1 · Pennsylvania 1 · Florida 1

About this foundation

Walter Lee Barker and Betty Ruth Barker Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Chicago, Illinois, tax-exempt since 2022. 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 Walter Lee Barker and Betty Ruth Barker 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 Walter Lee Barker and Betty Ruth Barker Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $1.3M across 14 grants, a median of $100K.

Where does Walter Lee Barker and Betty Ruth Barker Foundation give?

Illinois (9 grants), Massachusetts (2 grants), Maryland (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

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