Foundations that fund organizations in Athens, Illinois
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Athens nonprofits
7 private foundations gave $170K to Athens organizations in their latest filings; 4 of the 7 that say either way accept applications.
9 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Athens around $2,000. 5 of these funders are based in Illinois; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 7
- Accept applications
- 4
- of 7 that state a policy
- Dollars to Athens
- $170K
- latest filings
- Grants
- 9
- Typical median grant
- $2,000
- Based in IL
- 71%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Athens organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J Kennedy & Donald Kincaid Trust | Pittsburgh, PA | 1 | $62K | $62K | Preselected only | General support |
| The Stahl Athens Community Park Charitable Foundat | Athens, IL | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Improvements to baseball diamonds |
| The Allen and Ellen M Blessman Family Foundation | New Holland, IL | 1 | $50K | $50K | Yes | Educational Programs |
| Menard County United Fund Inc | Tallula, IL | 3 | $6,400 | $2,000 | Yes | General operating expenses.; General operating expenses |
| Land O'Lakes Foundation | St Paul, MN | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | Community gardens/answer plots |
| The Growmark Foundation | Bloomington, IL | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | For support of community charitable activities |
| Frances C Sampson Testamentary Trust | Petersburg, IL | 1 | $459 | $459 | Yes | Items for students in need or with spec needs |
Source: IRS Form 990-PF Part XV, latest electronic return per foundation (2026-10-28). "Accepts applications" reflects the foundation's own checkbox on Part XV line 2. Grants to individuals excluded.
Common questions
Which foundations give to nonprofits in Athens, Illinois?
J Kennedy & Donald Kincaid Trust, The Stahl Athens Community Park Charitable Foundat, The Allen and Ellen M Blessman Family Foundation, Menard County United Fund Inc, Land O'Lakes Foundation and 2 others reported grants to Athens organizations on their latest Form 990-PF.
How do I approach a foundation that doesn't accept applications?
A foundation that checks "contributes only to preselected organizations" on its 990-PF won't review a cold proposal. Look at who it funds, find a shared board member, grantee or advisor, and ask for an introduction. Foundations that accept applications usually list a contact and deadlines in Part XV; we show that text on each foundation's page.
Is this list complete?
No. It covers private foundations (Form 990-PF filers) whose latest electronic return lists at least one grant to an organization in Athens. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.