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Form 990-PFTax year 2025EIN 36-3797797

Mary Lou Downs Foundation

A private foundation in Chicago, IL. Its return for tax year 2025 lists 46 grants and $300,000 paid in grants.

See which foundations fund work like yours Matching by cause, place and grant size

Tax year 2025 (period ending Dec 31, 2025), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

How to apply

Preselected only

The return checks the box saying the foundation gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets and giving by year

6 returns on file
Grants paid by tax year. The latest year is in blue.

  • Tax year 2025

    $300,000

    Grants listed
    46
    Assets, end of year
    $2,104,386

  • Tax year 2024

    $225,000

    Grants listed
    45
    Assets, end of year
    $1,972,550

  • Tax year 2023

    $190,000

    Grants listed
    44
    Assets, end of year
    $1,964,710

  • Tax year 2022

    $199,000

    Grants listed
    43
    Assets, end of year
    $2,055,741

  • Tax year 2021

    $190,000

    Grants listed
    42
    Assets, end of year
    $2,193,989

  • Tax year 2020

    $194,000

    Grants listed
    40
    Assets, end of year
    $2,278,098

Grants paid in 2025

46 grants, largest first

As listed on the return.

  1. Wings Program IncPalatine, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $14,000
  2. St Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphis, TN

    Exclusively charitable

    $14,000
  3. Little Sisters of the Poor of PalatinePalatine, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $14,000
  4. Misericordia Heart of MercyChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $14,000
  5. Hephzibah Children's AssnOak Park, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $14,000
  6. Shriner's Hospital for ChildrenChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $14,000
  7. Larabida Children's HospitalChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $14,000
  8. Tunnels to Towers FoundationStaten Island, NY

    Exclusively charitable

    $14,000
  9. The Center of ConcernDes Plaines, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $13,000
  10. Shelter IncArlington HTS, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $13,000
  11. Ann & Robert Lurie Children's HospitalChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $12,000
  12. House of the Good ShepherdChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $10,000
  13. Life SpanDes Plaines, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $8,000
  14. Paralyzed Veterans of AmericaWashington, DC

    Exclusively charitable

    $7,000
  15. Maryville AcademyDes Plaines, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $7,000
  16. NTL Multiple Sclerosis SocietyChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $6,000
  17. Wounded Warrior ProjectJacksonville, FL

    Exclusively charitable

    $6,000
  18. Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service TrustErlanger, KY

    Exclusively charitable

    $6,000
  19. The Anti-Cruelty SocietyChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $6,000
  20. Home for Our TroopsTaunton, MA

    Exclusively charitable

    $6,000
  21. Connections for Abused Women & Their ChildrenChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  22. Family Service CenterWilmette, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  23. The Child's VoiceWood Dale, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  24. Ronald McDonald HouseOak Brook, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  25. Journeys the Road HomePalatine, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  26. Turning Point IncWoodstock, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  27. Mercy Home for Boys & GirlsChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  28. Gateway to LearningChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  29. Alzheimer's FDN of AmericaNew York, NY

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  30. American Heart AssnDallas, TX

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  31. American Cancer SocietyOklahoma City, OK

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  32. American Red Cross of Greater ChicagoChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  33. Catholic CharitiesChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  34. Greater Chicago Food DepositoryChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  35. The Night MinistryChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  36. Pads Lake CountyWaukegan, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  37. Franciscan OutreachChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  38. Arden Shore Child and Family ServiceWaukegan, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  39. West Suburban Humane SocietyDowners Grove, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  40. Victorian Woods Senior LivingDes Plaines, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  41. Evanston North Shore Young Womens Christian Assn for the Evanston Shelter FEvanston, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  42. Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinsons ResearchNew York, NY

    Exclusively charitable

    $4,000
  43. USO of IllinoisChicago, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $0
  44. Marine Toys for Tots FoundationTriangle, VA

    Exclusively charitable

    $0
  45. Geneva FoundationSkokie, IL

    Exclusively charitable

    $0
  46. Home for Our TroopsTaunton, MA

    Exclusively charitable

    $0

Where the money goes

By cause: grants to organizations we matched to the IRS list of exempt organizations, by their category.

  1. Human services9 grants $66,00046% of the total
  2. Housing and shelter2 grants $27,00019% of the total
  3. Health1 grant $14,00010% of the total
  4. Animals2 grants $10,0007% of the total
  5. Crime and legal aid1 grant $8,0006% of the total
  6. Public affairs1 grant $6,0004% of the total
  7. 3 other causes3 grants $12,0008% of the total

By State

Grants to organizations with a US address, latest year.

  1. Illinois34 grants $231,000
  2. New York2 grants $18,000
  3. Tennessee1 grant $14,000
  4. District of Columbia1 grant $7,000
  5. Kansas1 grant $6,000
  6. Massachusetts2 grants $6,000
  7. Ohio1 grant $6,000
  8. Maryland1 grant $4,000
  9. Oklahoma1 grant $4,000
  10. Texas1 grant $4,000

Officers, directors and trustees

1 person as filed

As filed on the return, with average hours per week and pay from the foundation.

  • Paul F GerbosiSOLE TRUSTEE Hours 15Pay $30,000

The return

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