Ceres Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Ceres Foundation is a private foundation in Northfield, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $593,000 in 106 grants; the typical grant was $3,500 and the largest $30,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$593,000
- Number of grants106
- Typical grant$3,500
- Largest grant$30,000
- Assets$15.0 million
- New grantees27%
Giving in 2025 was up from $551,000 the year before.
27% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $540,000 | 101 | $11.9 million |
| 2024 | $551,000 | 101 | $13.5 million |
| 2025 | $593,000 | 106 | $15.0 million |
How to apply
Ceres 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.
What Ceres Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 17 states, the most to Michigan.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | 28 | $122,000 |
| Illinois | 27 | $121,500 |
| Colorado | 11 | $88,000 |
| Virginia | 6 | $75,000 |
| California | 12 | $38,000 |
| District of Columbia | 3 | $31,000 |
| New York | 3 | $29,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | $25,000 |
| Wisconsin | 5 | $23,000 |
| Florida | 2 | $11,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Daniel Murphy Scholarship Foundation | General support | $30,000 |
| Leadership Institute | General support | $30,000 |
| Fire Fdn for Indiv RTS in Ed | General support | $25,000 |
| Hillsdale College | General support | $25,000 |
| Ij Institute for Justice | General support | $25,000 |
| CRC Cap Research Center | General support | $20,000 |
| Mpi Moving Pix Institute | General support | $20,000 |
| Stepping Stones Montessori | General support | $20,000 |
| Door County Land Trust | General support | $15,000 |
| Orchard Village | General support | $15,000 |
| Atl Foundation | General support | $10,000 |
| Camp Highlands for Boys Foundation | General support | $10,000 |
| Charlevoix County Community Foundation | General support | $10,000 |
| Colorado Public Radio | General support | $10,000 |
| Federalist Society | General support | $10,000 |
| Hope House of Colorado | General support | $10,000 |
| Philadelphia Society | General support | $10,000 |
| Rocky Mountain PBS | General support | $10,000 |
| Russell Kirk Center | General support | $10,000 |
| The Momco International | General support | $10,000 |
| The Whittier Public Library Foundation | General support | $10,000 |
| Tri-Lakes Cares | General support | $10,000 |
| Cirque Lodge Foundation | General support | $8,000 |
| Craig Hospital Foundation | General support | $7,000 |
| Grand Canyon River Guides Inc | General support | $7,000 |
| Inside Out Youth Services | General support | $7,000 |
| The Place | General support | $7,000 |
| Field Museum | General support | $6,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity-Rockbridge Area | General support | $6,000 |
| National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Pacific South Coast Chapter | General support | $6,000 |
| New Moms | General support | $6,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Illinois - Development Department | General support | $6,000 |
| Tunnel to Towers Fdn | General support | $6,000 |
| Charlevoix County Community Foundation | General support | $5,000 |
| Charlevoix County Community Foundation | General support | $5,000 |
| Chicago Public Media | General support | $5,000 |
| Fitzgerald Griffin Fdn | General support | $5,000 |
| Hope for the Warriors | General support | $5,000 |
| Little Traverse Conservancy | General support | $5,000 |
| Make-A-Wish Chicago Chapter | General support | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Florence H Testa
- Daniel RJ Hales
- Mark H Patterson
- Marion H Chardoul
Questions people ask
Does Ceres Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Ceres Foundation give?
$593,000 in tax year 2025, across 106 grants, with a typical grant of $3,500.
Who runs Ceres Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Florence H Testa (President), Daniel RJ Hales (Vice President), Mark H Patterson (Secretary) and Marion H Chardoul (Treasurer).
What does Ceres Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, environment and conservation and arts and culture.