Helen and Curtis Pinnell Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Helen and Curtis Pinnell Foundation is a private foundation in Des Plaines, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $647,500 in 64 grants; the typical grant was $6,000 and the largest $100,000. 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$647,500
- Number of grants64
- Typical grant$6,000
- Largest grant$100,000
- Assets$11.5 million
- New grantees23%
Giving in 2025 was up from $549,500 the year before.
23% 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 | $376,500 | 42 | $8.8 million |
| 2024 | $549,500 | 62 | $10.2 million |
| 2025 | $647,500 | 64 | $11.5 million |
How to apply
Helen and Curtis Pinnell 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 Helen and Curtis Pinnell Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 7 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 48 | $522,500 |
| Texas | 10 | $84,000 |
| Missouri | 2 | $13,000 |
| Minnesota | 1 | $12,000 |
| Florida | 1 | $10,000 |
| New York | 1 | $5,000 |
| Wisconsin | 1 | $2,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lyric Opera of Chicago | General charitable purposes | $100,000 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | General charitable purposes | $30,000 |
| Individual | General charitable purposes | $25,000 |
| Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum | General charitable purposes | $25,000 |
| Big Shoulders Fund | General charitable purposes | $25,000 |
| Chicago Symphony Orchestra | General charitable purposes | $20,000 |
| Pacific Garden Mission | General charitable purposes | $20,000 |
| Loaves Fishes of Rio Grande Valley | General charitable purposes | $20,000 |
| Evangelical Child and Family Agency | General charitable purposes | $18,000 |
| Facing Forward to End Homelessness | General charitable purposes | $18,000 |
| Individual | General charitable purposes | $18,000 |
| Window to the World Communications | General charitable purposes | $15,000 |
| Individual | General charitable purposes | $15,000 |
| Haymarket Opera Company | General charitable purposes | $15,000 |
| Misericordia Foundation | General charitable purposes | $15,000 |
| Feed My Starving Children | General charitable purposes | $12,000 |
| Wycliffe Bible Translators Inc | General charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| South Padre Island Birding Nature C | General charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Sea Turtle Inc | General charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Maywood Fine Arts Association | General charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Children's Bereavement Center of RG | General charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Family Crisis Center | General charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Midwest Shelter for Homeless Vetera | General charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley | General charitable purposes | $10,000 |
| Opera Theatre of Saint Louis | General charitable purposes | $8,000 |
| The Bloc | General charitable purposes | $8,000 |
| World Relief Chicagoland | General charitable purposes | $8,000 |
| Chicago Zoological Society | General charitable purposes | $7,000 |
| Individual | General charitable purposes | $7,000 |
| Individual | General charitable purposes | $7,000 |
| Chicago Opera Theater | General chritable purposes | $7,000 |
| Northern Illinois Food Bank | General chritable purposes | $7,000 |
| Individual | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Individual | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Individual | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| The Metropolitan Opera | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| One Hope United | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| The Newberry Consort-Newberry Conso | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Sit Stay Read Inc | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
| Individual | General charitable purposes | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Emilysue Pinnell
- Richard John Williams
- Elizabeth A Littel
Questions people ask
Does Helen and Curtis Pinnell Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Helen and Curtis Pinnell Foundation give?
$647,500 in tax year 2025, across 64 grants, with a typical grant of $6,000.
Who runs Helen and Curtis Pinnell Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Emilysue Pinnell (President & Dir), Richard John Williams (Treasurer & Dir) and Elizabeth A Littel (Assistant Treas).
What does Helen and Curtis Pinnell Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, environment and conservation and faith communities.