A river running through a deep pine forest valley

Cause EnvironmentState Illinois593 funders

Foundations that fund environment in Illinois

593 private foundations based in Illinois with a return in the last two years gave $115.9 million to environment organizations in 1,794 grants. The median grant was $5,000, and 141 of these foundations accept applications.

Foundations with a return in the last two years, each by its latest return (tax years 2023 to 2025), read from the IRS e-file on Nov 11, 2026. Returns reach the IRS 5 to 18 months after the year they describe.

Ranked by giving to environment

Top 50

Grants in each foundation’s latest return to organizations whose IRS category is environment.

  1. John D and Catherine T MacArthur FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 61 grants Preselected only $34,342,500 to environment
  2. Builders Vision FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 77 grants Preselected only $20,345,840 to environment
  3. Eleven Eleven FoundationHighland Park, IL · tax year 2024 8 grants Preselected only $5,725,000 to environment
  4. Hamill Family FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 51 grants Preselected only $5,678,411 to environment
  5. The Joyce FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 27 grants Accepts applications $5,168,136 to environment
  6. Arie and Ida Crown MemorialChicago, IL · tax year 2024 45 grants Accepts applications $4,151,750 to environment
  7. Bobolink FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 19 grants Preselected only $2,290,736 to environment
  8. Frank E Payne and Seba B Payne FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 7 grants Preselected only $1,730,000 to environment
  9. Slootman Family FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 1 grant Preselected only $1,500,000 to environment
  10. Deer Pond Farm Fund XXXXX6006Chicago, IL · tax year 2024 1 grant Preselected only $1,408,253 to environment
  11. Anahata Foundation XXXXX5004Chicago, IL · tax year 2024 4 grants Preselected only $1,364,000 to environment
  12. Willow Springs Charitable TrustMt Carroll, IL · tax year 2024 6 grants Preselected only $1,265,000 to environment
  13. Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 26 grants Accepts applications $1,125,500 to environment
  14. Susan Crown Exchange IncChicago, IL · tax year 2024 1 grant Preselected only $1,000,000 to environment
  15. Helen V Froehlich FoundationPo Box Chic, IL · tax year 2024 2 grants Preselected only $955,000 to environment
  16. Hunter Family FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 16 grants Preselected only $925,000 to environment
  17. Caerus Foundation IncNorthbrook, IL · tax year 2024 8 grants Preselected only $925,000 to environment
  18. Frederick Henry Prince Testamentary TrustChicago, IL · tax year 2024 22 grants Accepts applications $657,000 to environment
  19. Sarah Decoizart Perpetual Charitable TRChicago, IL · tax year 2025 11 grants Accepts applications $637,420 to environment
  20. The Lumpkin Family FoundationMattoon, IL · tax year 2024 37 grants Preselected only $614,335 to environment
  21. Susan and Stephen Baird Family FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 5 grants Preselected only $600,000 to environment
  22. The Boler Family FoundationSchaumburg, IL · tax year 2025 1 grant Preselected only $600,000 to environment
  23. Abra Prentice Foundation IncChicago, IL · tax year 2024 4 grants Preselected only $575,000 to environment
  24. Matthew Zell Family FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 3 grants Preselected only $575,000 to environment
  25. The Regenstein FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2025 2 grants Preselected only $555,000 to environment
  26. Norris & Margaret Aldeen FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 1 grant Preselected only $518,602 to environment
  27. Booth Ferris Foundation XXXXX4008Chicago, IL · tax year 2024 5 grants Accepts applications $500,000 to environment
  28. Wavering Family Charitable FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 2 grants Preselected only $448,300 to environment
  29. Wayfarer FoundationHighland Park, IL · tax year 2024 5 grants Preselected only $419,000 to environment
  30. Three Lakes Foundation TrustNorthbrook, IL · tax year 2024 1 grant Preselected only $417,445 to environment
  31. The Chuck and Monica McQuaid Family FoundationDowners Grove, IL · tax year 2025 3 grants Preselected only $398,387 to environment
  32. Circle of Service FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 13 grants Accepts applications $374,950 to environment
  33. Mayer and Morris Kaplan FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 17 grants Accepts applications $370,200 to environment
  34. Dr Scholl FoundationNorthbrook, IL · tax year 2024 18 grants Accepts applications $357,500 to environment
  35. National Recreation Foundation IncorporatedLake Forest, IL · tax year 2025 11 grants Preselected only $333,000 to environment
  36. Aria FoundationChannahon, IL · tax year 2024 12 grants Preselected only $313,267 to environment
  37. Laura Hare Charitable TrustChicago, IL · tax year 2025 2 grants Accepts applications $308,090 to environment
  38. David F & Margaret T Grohne Family FoundationWestern Springs, IL · tax year 2024 4 grants Accepts applications $306,000 to environment
  39. Robert Galvin FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 1 grant Preselected only $300,000 to environment
  40. Melva Bucksbaum Family FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2025 1 grant Preselected only $300,000 to environment
  41. Eddema FoundationOak Park, IL · tax year 2025 2 grants Preselected only $284,797 to environment
  42. Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable TrustChicago, IL · tax year 2023 2 grants Accepts applications $260,000 to environment
  43. James & Madeleine McMullan Family FoundationLake Forest, IL · tax year 2025 1 grant Accepts applications $250,000 to environment
  44. Paul Bechtner FoundationWinnetka, IL · tax year 2025 6 grants Preselected only $248,500 to environment
  45. G Carl Ball Family FoundationWest Chicago, IL · tax year 2024 3 grants Preselected only $241,000 to environment
  46. Coypu Foundation Trust XXXXX3002Chicago, IL · tax year 2025 7 grants Accepts applications $238,680 to environment
  47. Polk Bros Foundation IncChicago, IL · tax year 2024 7 grants Accepts applications $233,400 to environment
  48. Rice FoundationSkokie, IL · tax year 2024 2 grants Preselected only $230,000 to environment
  49. Julian Grace FoundationHighland Park, IL · tax year 2024 3 grants Preselected only $226,500 to environment
  50. Lloyd A Fry FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 9 grants Accepts applications $215,000 to environment

Open to applications

25 foundations

The return gives an application contact and does not check the preselected-only box.

  1. The Joyce FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 27 grants Accepts applications $5,168,136 to environment
  2. Arie and Ida Crown MemorialChicago, IL · tax year 2024 45 grants Accepts applications $4,151,750 to environment
  3. Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 26 grants Accepts applications $1,125,500 to environment
  4. Frederick Henry Prince Testamentary TrustChicago, IL · tax year 2024 22 grants Accepts applications $657,000 to environment
  5. Sarah Decoizart Perpetual Charitable TRChicago, IL · tax year 2025 11 grants Accepts applications $637,420 to environment
  6. Booth Ferris Foundation XXXXX4008Chicago, IL · tax year 2024 5 grants Accepts applications $500,000 to environment
  7. Circle of Service FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 13 grants Accepts applications $374,950 to environment
  8. Mayer and Morris Kaplan FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 17 grants Accepts applications $370,200 to environment
  9. Dr Scholl FoundationNorthbrook, IL · tax year 2024 18 grants Accepts applications $357,500 to environment
  10. Laura Hare Charitable TrustChicago, IL · tax year 2025 2 grants Accepts applications $308,090 to environment
  11. David F & Margaret T Grohne Family FoundationWestern Springs, IL · tax year 2024 4 grants Accepts applications $306,000 to environment
  12. Elizabeth Morse Genius Charitable TrustChicago, IL · tax year 2023 2 grants Accepts applications $260,000 to environment
  13. James & Madeleine McMullan Family FoundationLake Forest, IL · tax year 2025 1 grant Accepts applications $250,000 to environment
  14. Coypu Foundation Trust XXXXX3002Chicago, IL · tax year 2025 7 grants Accepts applications $238,680 to environment
  15. Polk Bros Foundation IncChicago, IL · tax year 2024 7 grants Accepts applications $233,400 to environment
  16. Lloyd A Fry FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 9 grants Accepts applications $215,000 to environment
  17. Retirement Research Foundation DBA RRF Foundation for AgingChicago, IL · tax year 2024 4 grants Accepts applications $211,750 to environment
  18. Ploughshares FoundationHighland Park, IL · tax year 2025 16 grants Accepts applications $188,000 to environment
  19. The Brinson FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 4 grants Accepts applications $177,000 to environment
  20. Regina Bauer Frankenberg Foundation XXXXX3008Chicago, IL · tax year 2025 4 grants Accepts applications $170,000 to environment
  21. Grand Victoria FoundationChicago, IL · tax year 2024 4 grants Accepts applications $167,000 to environment
  22. The Simon Family FoundationHighland Park, IL · tax year 2025 1 grant Accepts applications $150,000 to environment
  23. Oberweiler FoundationBarrington, IL · tax year 2025 7 grants Accepts applications $150,000 to environment
  24. Daniel P Haerther Charitable TrustChicago, IL · tax year 2024 1 grant Accepts applications $125,000 to environment
  25. M G Nelson Family FoundationSpringfield, IL · tax year 2025 1 grant Accepts applications $125,000 to environment