Foundations that fund organizations in Ottawa, Illinois
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Ottawa nonprofits
22 private foundations gave $499K to Ottawa organizations in their latest filings; 8 of the 22 that say either way accept applications.
60 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Ottawa around $2,529. 13 of these funders are based in Illinois; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 22
- Accept applications
- 8
- of 22 that state a policy
- Dollars to Ottawa
- $499K
- latest filings
- Grants
- 60
- Typical median grant
- $2,529
- Based in IL
- 59%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Ottawa organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coulter Family Foundation | Dallas, TX | 1 | $102K | $102K | Preselected only | College of nursing |
| The Joseph D Obrien III Memorial Foundation | Shelbyville, KY | 1 | $100K | $100K | Preselected only | Charitable purposes |
| The Covia Foundation | Independence, OH | 26 | $61K | $1,000 | Yes | General operating support |
| Joseph Hohner Scholarship Fund | Chicago, IL | 1 | $60K | $60K | Yes | Scholarships |
| Bradley Fedorow Perpetual Charitable Trust | Ottawa, IL | 9 | $52K | $6,000 | Preselected only | Roof TerraceGreen Space; Programs forabused andneglected children; Crisis interventionfor needy andhomeless |
| Donald E Fike Family Foundation | Galesburg, IL | 2 | $35K | $18K | Preselected only | To instruct and train persons with developmental disabiliti…; To provide shelter and adoption services for cats and dogs |
| Philip F Schoch Tuw | Pittsburgh, PA | 3 | $34K | $4,447 | Preselected only | General support |
| The Mikey Czech Foundation Inc | New Canaan, CT | 1 | $20K | $20K | Preselected only | General |
| Edward Earl Kirkendall Trust (pre 1969 | Birmingham, AL | 1 | $17K | $17K | Preselected only | General operating |
| Bergmann Benjamin Moore Perpetual Trust Elaine Hutchcroft Ttee | Maple Park, IL | 1 | $5,050 | $5,050 | Preselected only | General Fund |
| Anne M Baker Charities Inc | Peru, IL | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | Advocate f chil |
| The Claretknoll Foundation | Ottawa, IL | 1 | $2,529 | $2,529 | Preselected only | Assistance to developmentally disabled orphan |
| The Allstate Foundation | Northbrook, IL | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | Employee helping hands |
| Illinois Police Association Sherwood Charities | Elmwood Park, IL | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | Program support |
| Alexander King Scherer & Virginia G Scherer Educational Trust | Ottawa, IL | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Yes | Educational expense |
| The Growmark Foundation | Bloomington, IL | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | For support of agricultural leadership activities |
| Equitable Foundation Inc | New York, NY | 1 | $950 | $950 | Yes | General contribution |
| Edward Jones Foundation | St Louis, MO | 3 | $800 | $200 | Preselected only | Community improvement; Philanthropy, voluntarism and grantmaking foundations; Human services - multipurpose and other |
| Jon Denzer Bear Hug Foundation | Naples, FL | 1 | $480 | $480 | Yes | Epilepsy safety net |
| Edmund B Thornton Foundation | Ottawa, IL | 1 | $300 | $300 | Preselected only | Purchase supplies |
| Mdp Family Foundation | West Chicago, IL | 1 | $151 | $151 | Preselected only | Gift |
| Csl Foundation | Mendota, IL | 1 | $100 | $100 | Preselected only | Education |
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 Ottawa, Illinois?
Coulter Family Foundation, The Joseph D Obrien III Memorial Foundation, The Covia Foundation, Joseph Hohner Scholarship Fund, Bradley Fedorow Perpetual Charitable Trust and 17 others reported grants to Ottawa 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 Ottawa. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.