Foundations that fund organizations in Dekalb, Illinois
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Dekalb nonprofits
114 private foundations gave $13M to Dekalb organizations in their latest filings; 39 of the 100 that say either way accept applications.
155 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Dekalb around $5,000. 60 of these funders are based in Illinois; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 114
- Accept applications
- 39
- of 100 that state a policy
- Dollars to Dekalb
- $13M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 155
- Typical median grant
- $5,000
- Based in IL
- 60%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Dekalb organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jtb Family Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | 1 | $10M | $10M | Preselected only | General support |
| Gates Foundation | Seattle, WA | 3 | $470K | $151K | Yes | Postsecondary education; K-12 education; postsecondary education; Early learning |
| Bainum Family Foundation | Washington, DC | 1 | $250K | $250K | Preselected only | Wevision systems level |
| Arie and Ida Crown Memorial | Chicago, IL | 2 | $215K | $108K | Yes | General operating; Program |
| The Joyce Foundation | Chicago, IL | 1 | $200K | $200K | Yes | Education & economic mobility |
| Ideal Industries Foundation | Sycamore, IL | 9 | $200K | $20K | Preselected only | General support |
| Buffett Early Childhood Fund | Omaha, NE | 1 | $150K | $150K | Preselected only | Center for early learning funding equity general operations… |
| The Rich Foundation | Sugar Grove, IL | 2 | $121K | $61K | Preselected only | Charitable to support organization's mission |
| Yale-Scripps Trust-Cust | New Haven, CT | 1 | $103K | $103K | Preselected only | General operating |
| The Henry Luce Foundation Inc | New York, NY | 1 | $100K | $100K | Yes | Support for academic research |
| Towle Family Foundation | Greenwood Village, CO | 1 | $100K | $100K | Preselected only | Highest Priorities |
| Circle of Service Foundation | Chicago, IL | 2 | $85K | $43K | Yes | Education; Match/discretionary |
| From His Hand Foundation | Sycamore, IL | 1 | $80K | $80K | Preselected only | Where most needed |
| Grand Victoria Foundation | Chicago, IL | 1 | $75K | $75K | Yes | Project Support |
| Bickner Family Foundation | Sycamore, IL | 3 | $54K | $5,000 | Preselected only | Unrestricted |
| Amended and Restated Brubaker Charitable Trust | Cherry Valley, IL | 1 | $53K | $53K | Preselected only | General |
| Cme Group Foundation | Chicago, IL | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Kindergarten readiness: basics dekalb county parent playgro… |
| Oak Lodge Foundation | Aspen, CO | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | General support |
| Xq Institute | Oakland, CA | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Support implementation of mastery-based high school math ba… |
| The Bersted Foundation | Dallas, TX | 3 | $50K | $15K | Yes | Unrestricted general |
| Douglas C & Lynn M Roberts Family Foundation | Sycamore, IL | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | To further the mission of the donee |
| Lela Trager Scholarship Fund Co FIRST | Omaha, NE | 1 | $50K | $50K | Preselected only | Scholarships |
| Square One Foundation | Chicago, IL | 1 | $45K | $45K | Preselected only | General purpose |
| Lily Pad Fund for Nature | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $40K | $40K | Preselected only | General & Unrestricted |
| McQueen Charitable Trust Xxx-Xx-Xxxx | Evansville, IN | 2 | $32K | $16K | Preselected only | Program support |
| Landgraf Family Foundation | Libertyville, IL | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | General support |
| Pritzker Family Foundation C/O Pritzker Group | Chicago, IL | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | Research and education on early childhood development |
| Sachs Family Foundation | Lake Forest, IL | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | To enhance the purpose of the organization |
| The Beck Family Foundation Inc | Johnsburg, IL | 1 | $25K | $25K | Preselected only | Educational scholarship |
| Oberweiler Foundation | Barrington, IL | 1 | $25K | $25K | Yes | Field representatives |
| Cy Miller Foundation | Omaha, NE | 5 | $23K | $5,000 | Yes | Unrestricted grant; Charitable contribution |
| Bobolink Foundation | Chicago, IL | 3 | $20K | $5,000 | Preselected only | Unrestricted Charitable Gift; Wild Things 2025 Sponsor |
| Glen and Dorothy Stillwell Charitable Trust | Pasadena, CA | 1 | $20K | $20K | Yes | Support pathways to empowerment program |
| George E &betty B Dutton Foundation | Dekalb, IL | 7 | $20K | $3,000 | Preselected only | Program support |
| O'Brien-Vrba Scholarship Tuw | Pittsburgh, PA | 2 | $18K | $9,019 | Yes | General operating |
| Dillon Foundation | Sterling, IL | 2 | $14K | $7,000 | Yes | To support arts, culture, humanities |
| Scott Kenneth a Charitable Ta | Brooklyn, OH | 1 | $14K | $14K | Yes | Program support |
| Me Stevens-Acct B-Hospital Fund Xxx-Xx-Xxxx | Evansville, IN | 1 | $12K | $12K | Preselected only | Care for indigent |
| Kunes Family Foundation | Delavan, WI | 5 | $12K | $3,000 | Preselected only | Unrestricted charitable grant |
| Shade Family Foundation | Chicago, IL | 1 | $12K | $12K | Preselected only | Social services |
| Walter S Mander Foundation C/O Goschi & Goschi | Chicago, IL | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Scholarship |
| The Everett & Doris Bernardo Family Foundation | Elgin, IL | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | College education |
| Russell and Josephine Kott Memorial Charitable Trust | Oak Park, IL | 1 | $10K | $10K | Yes | Support |
| Katherine Bogardus Trust UW Heartland Bank & Trust Trustee | Normal, IL | 1 | $10K | $10K | Yes | Education at institution listed |
| The Kirch Foundation | Naples, FL | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Education |
| Jrbf Foundation | Wilmington, DE | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | General & Unrestricted |
| Sunshine Charitable Foundation | Libertyville, IL | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | General Support Grant for College of Education |
| James G Hart Foundation | Wadsworth, IL | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | General fund |
| Smith Charitable Foundation Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx | Rockford, IL | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | General |
| City of Sycamore-Edna Rjacobsen Tr | Evansville, IN | 1 | $9,590 | $9,590 | Preselected only | Cancer research |
| Follett Educational Foundation | McHenry, IL | 2 | $7,625 | $3,812 | Preselected only | Education Grant |
| Hansen-Furnas Foundation Inc | Batavia, IL | 1 | $6,800 | $6,800 | Yes | Scholarships |
| Joel L Gerdes Scholarship Fund | Dixon, IL | 1 | $6,533 | $6,533 | Yes | Educational scholarship |
| Dr Abigail Ross Foundation for Applied | Machesney Park, IL | 1 | $5,100 | $5,100 | Preselected only | Grant proposal |
| The Berner Charitable and Scholarship Foundation | LA Grange, IL | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | Scholarship award |
| The Richard M Schulze Family Foundation | Minneapolis, MN | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | Human services |
| Related Affordable Foundation Inc C/O the Related Companies Lp | New York, NY | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Raf 2024 scholarship |
| Robert E Shepherd Foundation | Elmhurst, IL | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | Scholarship |
| Glass Solutions Foundation | Itasca, IL | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | Charitable |
| Edith Andrew and Francis W Burchell Scholarship Fund | Rockford, IL | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Educational |
| Michael and Suzanne Carusillo Charitable Foundation | Itasca, IL | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Provide students with quality education. |
| Martha & Joseph Schrodt Family Foundation | Chicago, IL | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Education |
| The Footprints Foundation | Hinsdale, IL | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Educational scholarship |
| Nkc Family Foundation | Geneva, IL | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | General operating support |
| The Renaissance Foundation | Portland, OR | 1 | $4,265 | $4,265 | Yes | Scholarships |
| J Paul Yost Trust | Pontiac, IL | 1 | $4,000 | $4,000 | Yes | Scholarship |
| Ann O'Donnell Trumbull Perpetual Charitable Trust | Peoria, IL | 1 | $3,750 | $3,750 | Yes | Tuition |
| Cdm Foundation Inc | South Bend, IN | 1 | $3,600 | $3,600 | Preselected only | General support |
| Richard G Wood Forreston High School Scholarship Fund % Agnew Law Office | Rockford, IL | 1 | $3,500 | $3,500 | Preselected only | Scholarship distribution |
| The William & Dian Taylor Foundation | Brookfield, IL | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Preselected only | To provide support for men & women golf teams |
| Leo J Wahl Foundation | Sterling, IL | 2 | $3,000 | $1,500 | Yes | College expenses |
| Ralph J Baudhuin Foundation C/O Thomas Baudhuin | Roscoe, IL | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Yes | Religious |
| Muntwyler Wanda Char 0 Main | Cincinnati, OH | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Yes | General operating support |
| Dewoskinroskin Foundation | Chicago, IL | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Yes | Unrestricted |
| Organic Syntheses Inc | Waco, TX | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Preselected only | Lectureship and supplies |
| Wps Charitable Foundation Inc | Monona, WI | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Yes | Financial support of students |
| Morris and Judith Rosenzweig Family Foundation | Chicago, IL | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Preselected only | General |
| Frank X and Roselyn Dwyer Family Foundation | Westerly, RI | 1 | $2,500 | $2,500 | Preselected only | Charitable |
| Wayne & Ruth Diehl Charitable Trust (w) | Chicago, IL | 1 | $2,234 | $2,234 | Preselected only | General |
| Winnebago County Bar Foundation | Rockford, IL | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | Stipend for law students |
| Padgett Hilda M Charit Scholar | Pittsburgh, PA | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Preselected only | General support |
| Edward L Schwab Memorial Foundation Dacotah Bank | Aberdeen, SD | 1 | $1,767 | $1,767 | Yes | Scholarships |
| Jpmorgan Chase Foundation | New York, NY | 2 | $1,550 | $775 | Preselected only | Matching contribution (general operating support) |
| Arthur J Gallagher Foundation | Rolling Meadows, IL | 1 | $1,515 | $1,515 | Preselected only | General exempt purpose |
| Churchill Family Charitable Foundation | Moline, IL | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Yes | For program support |
| Catalina Marketing Charitable Foundation | St Petersburg, FL | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Yes | Restricted use |
| The Puffin Foundation Ltd (f/K/A Puffin New Jersey Inc) | Teaneck, NJ | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Yes | To support educational, social, and environmental programs… |
| The Darrell R Windle and David a Samber Charitable Fund | Chicago, IL | 2 | $1,395 | $697 | Preselected only | Charitable gift; Charibable gift |
| Assurant Foundation | Atlanta, GA | 1 | $1,350 | $1,350 | Preselected only | Financial Assistance |
| Augusta Read Thomas and Bernard Rands Trust | Chicago, IL | 1 | $1,300 | $1,300 | Yes | Program service grant |
| Jerome Burke Foundation | Westchester, IL | 1 | $1,100 | $1,100 | Yes | School assistance for student. |
| Neil & Ginny Gerald Family Foundation | North Aurora, IL | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Fundraising walk |
| Equitable Foundation Inc | New York, NY | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | General contribution |
| The Ludes Family Foundation | Marion, MA | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | Unrestricted |
| Arkes Family Foundation | Chicago, IL | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Exempt purpose of organization |
| Byrne Family Foundation Trust | Dallas, TX | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Preservation |
| Omron Foundation Inc | Hoffman Estates, IL | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | General support |
| Anne E Leibowitz Fund Co Joy Segal | Chicago, IL | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | General |
| The Kara Foundation | Libertyville, IL | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Operational support |
| John D & Jane Leifheit Charitable Foundation | Evansville, IN | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Program support |
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 Dekalb, Illinois?
Jtb Family Foundation, Gates Foundation, Bainum Family Foundation, Arie and Ida Crown Memorial, The Joyce Foundation and 95 others reported grants to Dekalb 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 Dekalb. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.