Foundations that fund organizations in Chesterton, Indiana
Worked out from where the grants went, not where the foundations sit.
Funding landscape for Chesterton nonprofits
17 private foundations gave $1.6M to Chesterton organizations in their latest filings; 9 of the 17 that say either way accept applications.
42 grants in total, with a typical foundation's median grant to Chesterton around $6,900. 5 of these funders are based in Indiana; the rest give here from elsewhere.
- Foundations giving here
- 17
- Accept applications
- 9
- of 17 that state a policy
- Dollars to Chesterton
- $1.6M
- latest filings
- Grants
- 42
- Typical median grant
- $6,900
- Based in IN
- 29%
- of funders listed
Funders, by dollars given to Chesterton organizations
| Foundation | Based in | Grants here | Dollars here | Median | Accepts applications | Typical purposes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lilly Endowment Inc | Indianapolis, IN | 2 | $900K | $450K | Yes | Capital proj-resdntl camp for in yth |
| The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation | Cleveland, OH | 3 | $190K | $50K | Yes | General support |
| John W Anderson Foundation | Valparaiso, IN | 9 | $155K | $15K | Yes | Operating; Operating/equipment; Equipment |
| Dunbar Family Charitable Trust C/O David Dunbar | Westfield, IN | 4 | $133K | $6,000 | Preselected only | Community home improvement projects; Capital improvements to art center; Healthy living campus project |
| Flora S Richardson Tr Xxxxx5001 | Chicago, IL | 1 | $57K | $57K | Preselected only | General |
| Flora Richardson Foundation Inc | Chesterton, IN | 3 | $48K | $6,900 | Preselected only | Educational; Elementary education programs |
| Nisource Charitable Foundation | Columbus, OH | 5 | $25K | $2,500 | Yes | Corporate donation |
| Needy But Not Greedy Nancy L Amato and Robert a Amato Foundation | Palm Beach, FL | 3 | $22K | $10K | Preselected only | Purchase and distribute food at various events; Sound equipment and ministry fees for light the way; Purchase[:comma:] storage[:comma:] and distribution of emer… |
| Stuart & Benjamin Abelson Foundation | Chicago, IL | 2 | $15K | $7,500 | Preselected only | General |
| American Water Charitable Foundationinc | Camden, NJ | 1 | $15K | $15K | Yes | General purpose |
| The Rail Heritage Trust FIRST Option Bank Trustee | Paola, KS | 1 | $7,000 | $7,000 | Yes | Hollins college windows |
| The Robert & Nancy Amato Foundation Inc | Palm Beach, FL | 2 | $6,000 | $3,000 | Preselected only | General fund |
| Dr Scholl Foundation | Northbrook, IL | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | Scholarships for summer camp in Indiana Dunes National Park |
| Robert G and Florence E van Duyn | Rochester, NY | 1 | $5,000 | $5,000 | Yes | To promote Christian faith |
| Leonard J and Irene Brown Foundation Inc | Michigan City, IN | 2 | $4,200 | $2,100 | Yes | Youth progamming; Supplies |
| Ayesha Omar Khadbai Foundation | West Covina, CA | 1 | $300 | $300 | Preselected only | Essential items for babies and children |
| Baird Foundation Inc | Milwaukee, WI | 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 Chesterton, Indiana?
Lilly Endowment Inc, The Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation, John W Anderson Foundation, Dunbar Family Charitable Trust C/O David Dunbar, Flora S Richardson Tr Xxxxx5001 and 12 others reported grants to Chesterton 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 Chesterton. Community foundations and corporate giving programs file different forms and are not included yet.