Well Told Grants

Foundations / Illinois

Bill Nygren Foundation

Preselected recipients only Chicago, Illinois · EIN 363987600

Bill Nygren Foundation is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2024 it gave $1.3 million in 33 grants; the typical grant was $17,500 and the largest $205,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.

Giving in 2024 was up from $1.2 million the year before.

18% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$1.2 million38$27.9 million
2024$1.3 million33$31.8 million

How to apply

Bill Nygren Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What Bill Nygren Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 4 states, the most to Michigan.

StateGrantsAmount
Michigan16$870,000
Illinois15$440,750
California1$25,000
Connecticut1$5,000

Grants paid in 2024

All 33 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Berrien Community Foundation
St Joseph, MI
Unrestricted$205,000
Strides for Peace
Chicago, IL
Unrestricted$135,000
Tri-County Council for Child Development Inc
Paw Paw, MI
Unrestricted$135,000
Benton Harbor Community Development Corp
Benton Harbor, MI
Unrestricted$100,000
SW Michigan Regional Chamber Foundation
St Joseph, MI
Unrestricted$100,000
United Way of Chicago
Chicago, IL
Unrestricted$100,000
Emerge Innovation Hub
Benton Harbor, MI
Unrestricted$75,000
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
Unrestricted$50,000
Friends of Berrien County Trails
New Buffalo, MI
Unrestricted$50,000
Harbor County Mission
Sawyer, MI
Unrestricted$50,000
Mercy Home for Boys & Girls
Chicago, IL
Unrestricted$50,000
Mosaic Ccda
Benton Harbor, MI
Unrestricted$50,000
Court Appointed Special Advocatessw Michigan
Benton Harbor, MI
Unrestricted$25,000
Emergency Shelter Services
Benton Harbor, MI
Unrestricted$25,000
Greater Chicago Food Depository
Chicago, IL
Unrestricted$25,000
Vida Valiente Foundation
San Clemente, CA
Unrestricted$25,000
Chicago Public Library Foundation
Chicago, IL
Unrestricted$17,500
Caring Connection
Benton Harbor, MI
Unrestricted$15,000
Junior Achievement Berrien County
St Joseph, MI
Unrestricted$15,000
Springboard Foundation
Chicago, IL
Unrestricted$15,000
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Ctr Fdn
Chicago, IL
Unrestricted$10,000
One Hope United
Chicago, IL
Unrestricted$10,000
Present Pillars Foundation
Benton Harbor, MI
Unrestricted$10,000
The Josselyn Center
Northfield, IL
Unrestricted$10,000
Youth Guidance
Chicago, IL
Unrestricted$8,000
Dawn Farms Treatment Center
Ypsilanti, MI
Unrestricted$5,000
Experience Camps
Westport, CT
Unrestricted$5,000
Growth Works Inc
Plymouth, MI
Unrestricted$5,000
Readiness Center
Benton Harbor, MI
Unrestricted$5,000
Re-Connect Chicago
Chicago, IL
Unrestricted$5,000
Imerman Angels
Chicago, IL
Unrestricted$3,000
Chicago Survivors
Chicago, IL
Unrestricted$1,250
Christ Child Society of Chicago
Orland Park, IL
Unrestricted$1,000

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2024 filing.

Questions people ask

Does Bill Nygren Foundation accept grant applications?

No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.

How much does Bill Nygren Foundation give?

$1.3 million in tax year 2024, across 33 grants, with a typical grant of $17,500.

Who runs Bill Nygren Foundation?

Its 2024 filing lists William C Nygren (President & Director), Thomas Win Murray (Director), Mark Nygren (Director) and Michelle Ochoa (Director).

What does Bill Nygren Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly community development and youth programs.

Similar foundations in Illinois