Red Bird Hollow Foundation
Lake Forest, IL · EIN 36-3747664. Reported 229 grants totalling $5,132,380 to 115 recipients across tax years 2020-2024. This foundation told the IRS it does not accept unsolicited requests: it contributes only to organizations it selects itself.
Does this foundation accept applications?
No -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation to check a box if it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds". Red Bird Hollow Foundation checked it on its most recent filing, as 78% of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered did. An unsolicited request is unlikely to go anywhere.
Organizations it funds that make grants of their own
3 of the organizations Red Bird Hollow Foundation funded make grants themselves, and it reported 6 grants totalling $60,500 to them. That is 2% of the $3,177,720 of its giving we could match to a registered organization. Each is classified by the IRS as a philanthropy or grantmaking organization, reported grants to at least 25 organizations of its own, and has at least 10 funders behind it.
All of them file Form 990, which never asks whether an organization funds only groups it picks, so there is no answer on record either way.
What that does not mean. It does not mean an application to any of them reaches this foundation's money. A private foundation's grant to a community foundation or a federated campaign is often a donor-advised fund or a gift designated for a purpose the foundation chose, and has nothing to do with any open programme the receiving organization runs. Its return's purpose text sometimes names a family fund or a designated purpose, which is the plainest case of money no applicant can reach; where it names none, neither return says which. The list is who this foundation paid that also makes grants. Whether any of them would fund you is a question for its own page.
| Grantmaker | Kind | State | Received | Grants | Years | Last | Only funds organizations it picks? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Jack Miller Center for Teaching | grantmaking organization | Pennsylvania | $50,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 | Its form does not ask |
| Bradley Impact Fund Inc | grantmaking organization | Wisconsin | $7,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 | Its form does not ask |
| The Lake County Community | grantmaking organization | Illinois | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 | Its form does not ask |
A floor, not a full list. A grantmaker appears here only where this foundation's return named it clearly enough for us to match the name to an EIN, which we manage for about two thirds of 990-PF grant rows, and only where that grantmaker has a page on this site. There may be more. Dollars here are summed by EIN across every spelling on its returns, so a figure can differ from the matching row in the full list below, which groups names as written. And the IRS classification cannot tell a grantmaker from a funders' association or a donor-advised fund sponsor, so a payment to one of these may be dues or an account rather than support for a grants programme.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $2,500. Half of everything it gave fell between $1,000 and $7,000; the smallest was $50 and the largest $500,000.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Recipients are grouped by name and state as they were written on the returns, so an organization entered under two different names appears twice. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which that name received money.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Forest Open Lands Association | Lake Forest, IL | $503,381 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| Lake Forest Academy | Lake Forest, IL | $500,000 | 2 | 1 | 2022 |
| Preservation Foundation of Lake County | Lake Forest, IL | $500,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| The Preservation Foundation | Chicago, IL | $500,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Illinois Policy Institute | Chicago, IL | $400,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| University of Virginia - the College Foundation | Charlottesville, VA | $394,754 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Board of Visitors of the University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | $356,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Lake Forest College | Lake Forest, IL | $312,500 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| Forest Bluff School | Lake Bluff, IL | $256,704 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Jack Miller Center | Philadelphia, PA | $250,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | $150,251 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Cato Institute | Washington, DC | $100,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Northwestern Memorial Foundation | Chicago, IL | $100,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Church of the Holy Spirit | Lake Forest, IL | $61,620 | 6 | 5 | 2024 |
| Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation | Chicago, IL | $40,010 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Chicago Symphony Orchestra | Chicago, IL | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Teach for America | Chicago, IL | $40,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| American Council of Trustees and Alumni | Washington, DC | $35,000 | 6 | 4 | 2024 |
| Chicago Symphony Foundation | Chicago, IL | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Mes Fund | Alfred, ME | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Schutt Family Scholarship Fund | Wellesley, MA | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Open the Books | Hinsdale, IL | $24,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Montessori Center of Minnesota | St Paul, MN | $22,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Bernie's Book Bank | Lake Bluff, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Gorton Community Center | Lake Forest, IL | $20,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Judicial Watch Inc | Washington, DC | $18,000 | 4 | 3 | 2023 |
| The Fund for American Studies | Washington, DC | $17,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Institute for Humane Studies | Arlington, VA | $15,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Club for Growth | Washington, DC | $13,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Hoover Institution | Stanford, CA | $13,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| North Chicago Community Partners | Lake Bluff, IL | $13,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| American Transparency | Hinsdale, IL | $12,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Atlas Network | Arlington, VA | $12,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Children's Home & Aid Society | Chicago, IL | $12,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Open the Books | The Villages, FL | $12,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Americans for Prosperity | Arlington, VA | $11,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Keewaydin Foundation | Salisbury, VA | $11,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| American Enterprise Institute | Washington, DC | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Beacon Academy | Evanston, IL | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Hillsdale College | Hillsdale, MI | $10,000 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| The Heritage Foundation | Washington, DC | $9,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Brain Chemistry Labs | Jackson, WY | $8,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Chicago Botanic Garden | Glencoe, IL | $8,000 | 5 | 5 | 2024 |
| St Andrew's Episcopal Church | Chicago, IL | $8,000 | 4 | 4 | 2023 |
| Bradley Impact Fund | Milwaukee, WI | $7,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Austin Montessori School | Austin, TX | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Chicago Cares | Chicago, IL | $6,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| History Center Lake Forest Lake Bluff | Lake Forest, IL | $6,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Independent Institute | Oakland, CA | $6,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Shirley Ryan Ability Lab | Chicago, IL | $6,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital | Lake Forest, IL | $5,200 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Academy of the Sacred Heart | Lake Forest, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Better Government Association | Chicago, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Community Church of Lake Forest & Lake Bluff | Lake Bluff, IL | $5,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| Elawa Farm Foundation | Lake Forest, IL | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Gasparilla Island Conservation | Boca Grande, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Gasparilla Island Conservation Academy | Boca Grande, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| George Mason Univ Mercatus Ctr | Arlington, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| George Mason University Mercatus Center | Arlington, VA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Gicia | Boca Grande, FL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Juenile Diabetes Research Foundation | Chicago, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Lake Forest Cemetary Commission | Lake Forest, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Loyola University Chicago | Chicago, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Neighborhood Entrepreneurship Lab | Chicago, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Skidmore College | Saratoga, NY | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| State Policy Network | Arlington, VA | $5,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Friends of Boca Grande Community Center | Boca Grande, FL | $4,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Island School Foundation | Boca Grande, FL | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Miller Center Foundation | Boone, IA | $4,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| The Island School | Boca Grande, FL | $4,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Forest Park Preservation Corporation | Lake Forest, IL | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Lake County Community Foundation | Grayslake, IL | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Land Trust Alliance | Washington, DC | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Mckinlock Post Foundation | Lake Forest, IL | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Openlands | Chicago, IL | $3,000 | 3 | 3 | 2022 |
| The Heartland Institute | Arlington Heights, IL | $3,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Jefferson Scholars Association | Charlottesville, VA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Navy Seal Foundation | Virginia Beach, VA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Navy Seals Foundation | Virginia Beach, VA | $2,500 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Boca Grande Women's Club | Boca Grande, FL | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Friends of Lfpr Foundation | Lake Forest, IL | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Golden Apple Foundation | Chicago, IL | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Institute for Justice | Arlington, VA | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Lake Forest Police Foundation | Lake Forest, IL | $2,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| National Legal and Policy Center | Falls Church, VA | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Chicago, IL | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| University of Virginia Alumni Association | Charlottesville, VA | $2,000 | 2 | 2 | 2021 |
| Boca Grande Health Clinic Foundation | Boca Grande, FL | $1,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| All Saints Episcopal Church | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Alliance for the Great Lakes | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Boca Grande Health Clininc Foundation | Boca Grande, FL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Cincinnati Country Day School | Cincinnati, OH | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Cincinnati County Day School | Cincinnati, OH | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Cristo Rey | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Foundation for Economic Education | Atlanta, GA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Friends of the Highwood Public Library | Highwood, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Grande Community Center | Plainfield, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| History Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff | Lake Forest, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Johann Fust Community Library | Boca Grande, FL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| National Parks Conservation Association | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| North Shore Community Partners | Lake Bluff, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| North Shore Country Day School | Winnetka, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Royal Palm Players | Boca Grande, FL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Shirly Ryan Ability Lab | Chicago, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| St Elmo Foundation | Pearl River, NY | $1,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| The Raven Society | Charlottesville, VA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Trustees of Phillips Academy | Boston, MA | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Woodlands Academy | Lake Forest, IL | $1,000 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $750 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
| Ann & Robert Lurie Children's Hospital | Chicago, IL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| National Geographic Society | Washington, DC | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| The 1916 Redan Foundation | Lake Bluff, IL | $500 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Uva Fund | Charlottesville, VA | $100 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Wbez | Chicago, IL | $60 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Back Blue Lives | Alexandria, VA | $50 | 1 | 1 | 2020 |
60 of 115 (52%) received money in more than one year over the 5 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 45%, across 4 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is less consistent than most. This measures how often it paid the same organizations again. It says nothing about whether it would consider a new one, and this foundation told the IRS it does not.
What kind of organizations it funds
By the activity category the IRS assigns each recipient, for the 128 grants where we could match the recipient to a registered organization. The categories are the IRS's. The match, made from the name and address on the return, is ours.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 57 | $1,146,480 | $2,000 |
| 2021 | 66 | $1,481,235 | $2,500 |
| 2022 | 52 | $1,710,120 | $4,500 |
| 2023 | 26 | $434,764 | $2,000 |
| 2024 | 28 | $359,781 | $5,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
68% of its giving went to organizations in Illinois.
Get funders for your state and cause by email
We email you funders that gave to organizations in your state and cause, up to five at a time each week and never the same one twice, from their own IRS filings. Free. The weekly email has not started yet.
Unsubscribe in one click from any email. We never sell or share your address. To match on your organization and typical grant size too, keep a private profile.
Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are a sign of overlapping priorities and nothing more. Unlike this foundation, none of them is on record as funding only organizations it picks, and each page says what its filings show.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from Red Bird Hollow Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 5 returns (tax years 2020-2024). Grant figures are from its returns. Matching recipients to registered organizations, their IRS classifications, the retention rate and the funders that support the same organizations are our own calculations, described in how we build this.
Address of record on the latest return: 1340 North Waukegan Road, Lake Forest, IL, 60045. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS.
EIN 36-3747664 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
Is something here wrong about your foundation? Email [email protected] and we will correct it.