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Foundations / Illinois

Irish Woods Foundation

Preselected recipients only Chicago, Illinois · EIN 472618552

Irish Woods Foundation is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $955,000 in 54 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $200,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.

Giving in 2025 was up from $844,500 the year before.

22% 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 yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$773,20044$16.8 million
2024$844,50043$18.0 million
2025$955,00054$23.7 million

How to apply

Irish Woods 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 Irish Woods Foundation funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 9 states, the most to Illinois.

StateGrantsAmount
Illinois42$548,000
Indiana3$230,000
Maryland1$130,000
Ohio2$14,500
California2$12,500
Florida1$10,000
New Jersey1$5,000
Colorado1$2,500
New York1$2,500

Grants paid in 2025

The 40 largest of 54 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
La Lumiere School
La Porte, IN
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$200,000
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Bethesda, MD
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$130,000
Chicago Jesuit Academy
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$75,000
Block Club Chicago
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$50,000
Lurie Children's Hospital
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$50,000
Misercordia Foundation
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$40,000
Rebuilding Together Metro Chicago
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$40,000
St Benedict School Annual Fund
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$35,000
After School Matters
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$30,000
St Ignatius College Prep
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$30,000
Share Foundation With the Handicapped
La Porte, IN
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$25,000
St Giles School
Oak Park, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$20,000
Wolcott College Prep
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$20,000
The Greater Chicago Food Depository
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$15,000
Beyond Hunger
Oak Park, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$13,000
Mercy Home for Boys and Girls
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$13,000
Western Reserve Academy
Hudson, OH
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$12,000
Anthony Rizzo Family Foundation
Coconut Creek, FL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$10,000
Marillac St Vincent
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$10,000
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$10,000
St Giles Parish
Oak Park, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$10,000
Boys & Girls Club of Laporte County
Michigan City, IN
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$5,000
Brookfield Zoo
Brookfield, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$5,000
Cure
Woodridge, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$5,000
Housing Forward
Maywood, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$5,000
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$5,000
Lincoln Park Zoo
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$5,000
Museum of Science & Industry
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$5,000
Opportunity Knocks
River Forest, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$5,000
Shedd Aquarium
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$5,000
Special Children's Charities
Lakewood, NJ
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$5,000
Special Olympics of Illinois
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$5,000
Summer of A Lifetime
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$5,000
The Adler Planetarium
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$5,000
The All Stars Projects
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$5,000
WTTW
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$5,000
Holy Family Preservation Society
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$3,000
Oak Park Infant Welfare Society
Oak Park, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$3,000
Best Buddies Illinois
Chicago, IL
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$2,500
Breakthrough Tid
New York, NY
To support the mission of the charitable organization.$2,500

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does Irish Woods Foundation accept grant applications?

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

How much does Irish Woods Foundation give?

$955,000 in tax year 2025, across 54 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.

Who runs Irish Woods Foundation?

Its 2025 filing lists Brian R Walsh (Pres, Dir), Margaret H Walsh (Vice Pres, Dir) and Daniel P Walsh (Sec, Treas, Dir).

What does Irish Woods Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly faith communities, education and health.

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