Make It Better Foundation
Accepts applications
Make It Better Foundation is a private foundation in Wilmette, Illinois. In tax year 2024 it gave $988,150 in 73 grants; the typical grant was $5,125 and the largest $125,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$988,150
- Number of grants73
- Typical grant$5,125
- Largest grant$125,000
- Assets$754,658
- New grantees97%
Giving in 2024 was up from $255,000 the year before.
97% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $255,000 | 11 | $413,795 |
| 2024 | $988,150 | 73 | $754,658 |
How to apply
| Contact | Mibf Attn Jennifer Woolford PO Box 751, Wilmette, ID 60091 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (312) 500-2501 |
| What to submit | Applications for the annual philanthropy awards competition can be found on the mibf website. http://foundation.makeitbetter.com/ |
| Deadlines | Nominations for awards are accepted during the specified period, typically september each year |
| Restrictions | We will review requests for support against our stated mission, which is to identify and amplify the work of oustanding nonprofits while growing a network of well-informed, committed philanthropists; social entrepreneurs; and sponsors. We enter into the agreement using the organization's standard sponsorship form, having confirmed their 501(c)(3) status in advance. Generally these are organizations in the surrounding chicagoland area that are within the distribution footprint of make it better LLC media channels. Please visit http://foundation.makeitbetter.com/values-mission-vision |
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Make It Better Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 13 states, the most to Illinois. It also paid $1,160 in 1 grant to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 31 | $331,000 |
| Colorado | 4 | $226,000 |
| District of Columbia | 7 | $186,469 |
| California | 15 | $125,000 |
| Massachusetts | 3 | $75,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | $11,000 |
| Delaware | 1 | $10,000 |
| Indiana | 1 | $10,000 |
| Ohio | 2 | $5,500 |
| New York | 3 | $3,500 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Red Cross | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $125,000 |
| Nurse Family Partnership | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $100,000 |
| Nurse Family Partnership wire not showing up in gl | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $100,000 |
| A Safe Haven | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| After School Matters | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association Inc | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Anera | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Art Institute of Chicago | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Athletes Against Anxiety & Depression | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Cinema Chicago | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| City Year | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Cradles to Crayon | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Good Jobs Institute | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Harris Theater | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| KIPP Chicago Schools | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Metropolitan Family Services | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| NAMI Chicago | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Pres and Fellows of Harvard College | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| The Greater Science Center Berkeley | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| US Center for Safe Sport | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Palestine Children's Relief Fund | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $20,000 |
| World Central Kitchen | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $20,000 |
| Catchafire Inc | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| George Mark House | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| Go Campaign | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| Goodwill Foundation of Central and Southern Indiana | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| Hope Solutions | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| Interfaith America | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| Lyric Opera Chicago | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| McGaw YMCA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| Side by Side | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| The Family Institute of Northwestern University | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| Twist Out Cancer | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| American Red Cross | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $5,181 |
| Anera | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $5,163 |
| American Red Cross (EOY 2023) | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $5,125 |
| Middle East Children | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $5,000 |
| Cleveland Angels (EOY 2023) | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $4,000 |
| Sojourn Project | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $4,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Kathy Roeser
- Sandra Tsuchida
- Susan Noyes
- Melinda Fauntleroy
- Sharon P Krone
Questions people ask
Does Make It Better Foundation accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: Nominations for awards are accepted during the specified period, typically september each year.
How much does Make It Better Foundation give?
$988,150 in tax year 2024, across 73 grants, with a typical grant of $5,125.
Who runs Make It Better Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Kathy Roeser (Director), Sandra Tsuchida (Director), Susan Noyes (Director) and Melinda Fauntleroy (President) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does Make It Better Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly human services, education and arts and culture.