Foundations that fund organizations in Sterling, Illinois
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Sterling nonprofits
27 private foundations gave $3.5M to Sterling organizations in their latest filings; 13 of the 27 that say either way accept applications.
123 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Sterling around $3,000. 15 of these funders are based in Illinois; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 27
- Accept applications
- 13
- of 27 that state a policy
- Dollars to Sterling
- $3.5M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 123
- Typical median grant
- $3,000
- Based in IL
- 56%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Sterling organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon Foundation | Sterling, IL | 46 | $3.0M | $11K | Yes | To support community improvement; In support of education/instruction; To support human service activities |
| Sterling Today Inc | Sterling, IL | 4 | $121K | $17K | Preselected only | Landscaping & rental assist; Historical preservation and facade; Facade update |
| Willow Springs Charitable Trust Jenny B Stoddard Trustee | Mount Carroll, IL | 1 | $97K | $97K | Preselected only | General purpose |
| Leo J Wahl Foundation | Sterling, IL | 38 | $85K | $2,000 | Yes | College expenses; College expensescollege expensescollege expenses college ex…; College expensescollege expenses |
| Kunes Family Foundation | Delavan, WI | 5 | $36K | $3,400 | Preselected only | Unrestricted charitable grant |
| Bruno William Selmi Marital Trust | St Louis, MO | 1 | $26K | $26K | Preselected only | General operating |
| Midland States Bank Foundation C/O Midland States Bank Trust Dept | Rockford, IL | 1 | $25K | $25K | Yes | Provide funds for operations |
| Joel L Gerdes Scholarship Fund | Dixon, IL | 1 | $17K | $17K | Yes | Educational scholarship |
| Virginia Lee Shirley Private Foundation C/O Harrison Llp | Chicago, IL | 3 | $16K | $5,000 | Preselected only | General purposes |
| Do It Best Foundation Inc | Fort Wayne, IN | 4 | $15K | $4,000 | Yes | General support |
| Donald E Fike Family Foundation | Galesburg, IL | 1 | $10K | $10K | Preselected only | Advocacy, empowerment, and the development of independent f… |
| Kiwanis Club of Sterling Foundation | Sterling, IL | 1 | $8,269 | $8,269 | Preselected only | Provide warm winter clothing for needy children |
| Martha & Joseph Schrodt Family Foundation | Chicago, IL | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Preselected only | Education |
| Allen Christian Foundation | Mooresville, NC | 1 | $3,640 | $3,640 | Preselected only | Contribution |
| Rasheed Family Foundation | Clinton, IA | 1 | $3,000 | $3,000 | Yes | Annual drive |
| Hauck Foundation | Vonore, TN | 1 | $2,400 | $2,400 | Yes | Help unplanned pregnancy |
| Borchardt Family Foundation | Santa Barbara, CA | 1 | $2,000 | $2,000 | Yes | Non-specified use |
| Armanino Foundation | San Ramon, CA | 1 | $1,500 | $1,500 | Preselected only | General operating support |
| The Virginia Burns Private Charitable Foundation | Morrison, IL | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Promote the arts |
| Neil & Patty Jo Christenson Family Found C/O 1834 a Division of Old National Bank | Chicago, IL | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | Preselected only | Personal gift |
| Enchanted Backpack | Chicago, IL | 1 | $750 | $750 | Yes | In-kind donation of clothing and home goods |
| Sjostrom & Sons Foundation | Rockford, IL | 1 | $500 | $500 | Yes | Charitable |
| Land O'Lakes Foundation | St Paul, MN | 1 | $500 | $500 | Yes | Member co-op matches |
| William & Beverly Burkardt Family Foundation Nfp | Dixon, IL | 2 | $350 | $175 | Yes | Education; Operating contribution |
| Edward Jones Foundation | St Louis, MO | 1 | $300 | $300 | Preselected only | Community improvement, capacity building |
| Senator Norman J Levy and Joy Levy Charitable Foundation | Delray Beach, FL | 1 | $300 | $300 | Preselected only | General Charity |
| The Gap Foundation | San Francisco, CA | 2 | $200 | $100 | Yes | Support for educational programs; For civic & community engagement |
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 Sterling, Illinois?
Dillon Foundation, Sterling Today Inc, Willow Springs Charitable Trust Jenny B Stoddard Trustee, Leo J Wahl Foundation, Kunes Family Foundation and 22 others reported grants to Sterling 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 Sterling. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.