Private foundation · EIN 90-0103956 · Northbrook, Illinois · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Mary and Charles Sethness Charitable 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: 90 grants paid, $581K total, median $3,500. 14% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
90
$581K
Median grant
$3,500
Stays in IL
14%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$7.0M

Grants paid in 2025

Top 60 of 90 grants by amount · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Center for Reproductive RightsNew York, NYUnrestricted$45K
Wilderness WatchMissoula, MTUnrestricted$25K
Northwoods AllianceConover, WIUnrestricted$25K
Land O'Lakes ArtsLand Olakes, WIUnrestricted$22K
Trout UnlimitedWoolly Bugger, WVUnrestricted$20K
National Resources Defense CouncilNew York, NYUnrestricted$19K
National Abortion FederationWashington, DCUnrestricted$16K
ACLU FoundationChicago, ILUnrestricted$15K
Brennan Center for JusticeNew York, NYUnrestricted$15K
Yellowstone to Yukon ConservationCanmore, CAUnrestricted$15K
Feed Our Rural KidsEagle River, WIUnrestricted$15K
National Park FoundationWashington, DCJr anglers program$13K
Nature ConservancyArlington, VAUnrestricted$13K
American River ConservancyColoma, CAUnrestricted$10K
Sierra Club FoundationOakland, CAUnrestricted$10K
K9's for WarriorsPonte Verda, FLUnrestricted$10K
Moffitt Cancer CenterTampa, FLUnrestricted$10K
PBS Northduluth Superior Area Ed TvDululth, MNUnrestricted$10K
Sport for Impact IncColumbus, OHUnrestricted$10K
Seattle Childrens Guild AssociationSeattle, WAUnicorn family guild$10K
Ucds SchoolsSeattle, WAUnrestricted$10K
American PrarieMalta, MTUnrestricted$8,000
Wounded Warrior ProjectTopeka, KSUnrestricted$8,000
Gary Sinise FoundationNashville, TNUnrestricted$8,000
Evironmental Defense FundWashington, DCUnrestricted$8,000
Freinds of the Boundry Waters WildeMinneapolis, MNUnrestricted$7,500
Crisis Text LineNew York, NYUnrestricted$6,000
Yellowstone ForeverBozeman, MTWolf project$6,000
Barack Obama FoundationChicago, ILGirls opportunity alliance$5,000
Kuow Puget Sound Public RadioSeattle, WAUnrestricted$5,000
Christmas BellesLand O Lakes, WIUnrestricted$5,000
Wellspring Family ServiceSeattle, WAUnrestricted$5,000
Howard County ConservancyWoodstock, MDUnrestricted$5,000
Trevor ProjectWest Hollywood, CAUnrestricted$4,500
Freedom From Religion FoundationMadison, WIUnrestricted$4,000
Greater Chicago Food DepositoryChicago, ILUnrestricted$4,000
Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare ShelGwinn, MIUnrestricted$4,000
World Central KitchenWashington, DCUnrestricted$4,000
Clean Air Task ForceBoston, MAUnrestricted$4,000
Carbon 180Washington, DCUnrestricted$4,000
Planned Parenthood Federation of AmPhoenix, AZUnrestricted$4,000
American RiversWashington, DCUnrestricted$4,000
American Chestnut FoundationAshville, NCUnrestricted$4,000
Chicago Youth ProgramsChicago, ILUnrestricted$3,000
Loyola AcademyWilmette, ILUnrestricted$3,000
Brown UniversityProvidence, RIUnrestricted$3,000
Deerfield AcademyDeerfield, MAUnrestricted$3,000
Freinds of the ClearwaterMoscow, IDUnrestricted$2,500
Voyageurs ConservancyMinneapolis, MNUnrestricted$2,500
Young Cen for Immigrant Childrens RChicago, ILUnrestricted$2,500
Digs With DignityChicago, ILUnrestricted$2,500
Connors Climb FoundationExeter, NHUnrestricted$2,500
Headwaters Food Pantry IncLand O Lakes, WIUnrestricted$2,500
Mikva ChallengeChicago, ILUnrestricted$2,500
Urban Initiatives IncChicago, ILUnrestricted$2,500
Friends Fnd of Howard County LibrarEllicott City, MDUnrestricted$2,500
Hope on Haven HillRochester, NHUnrestricted$2,500
Dana Farber Cancer InstituteBoston, MAJimmy fund$2,500
Postpartum Support InternationalPortland, ORUnrestricted$2,500
Small Miracles Cat Dog RescueEllicot City, MDUnrestricted$2,500

By state: New York 8 · Illinois 13 · Wisconsin 6 · District of Columbia 9 · Washington 13 · Montana 3

About this foundation

Mary and Charles Sethness Charitable Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Northbrook, Illinois, tax-exempt since 2003. 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 Mary and Charles Sethness Charitable 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 Mary and Charles Sethness Charitable Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $581K across 90 grants, a median of $3,500.

Where does Mary and Charles Sethness Charitable Foundation give?

New York (8 grants), Illinois (13 grants), Wisconsin (6 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Northbrook that accept applications

All in Illinois
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Negaunee Foundation Ltdsince 1988 Northbrook, IL $34M114 grants · 2024 $60KPreselected only $455M
Caerus Foundation Incsince 2003 Northbrook, IL $15M134 grants · 2024 $50KPreselected only $208M
Dunard Fund Ltdsince 1993 Northbrook, IL $65M24 grants · 2024 $147KPreselected only $217M
Dr Scholl Foundationsince 1948 Northbrook, IL $8.9M410 grants · 2024 $10KYes $207M
Jarvis Foundationsince 2017 Northbrook, IL $4.7M144 grants · 2025 $3,600Preselected only $100M
Allstate Foundationsince 1954 Northbrook, IL $38M2,010 grants · 2024 $1,000Yes $89M
Elm Family Foundationsince 2015 Northbrook, IL $2.4M18 grants · 2024 $65KPreselected only $54M
Charles & M R Shapiro Foundation Incsince 1958 Northbrook, IL $2.4M99 grants · 2024 $18KPreselected only $52M
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