Mary and Charles Sethness Charitable Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Mary and Charles Sethness Charitable Foundation is a private foundation in Northbrook, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $581,000 in 90 grants; the typical grant was $3,500 and the largest $45,000. 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$581,000
- Number of grants90
- Typical grant$3,500
- Largest grant$45,000
- Assets$14.1 million
- New grantees34%
Giving in 2025 was up from $515,500 the year before.
34% 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 | $436,140 | 68 | $9.2 million |
| 2024 | $515,500 | 75 | $9.8 million |
| 2025 | $581,000 | 90 | $14.1 million |
How to apply
Mary and Charles Sethness Charitable 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 Mary and Charles Sethness Charitable Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 24 states, the most to New York. It also paid $15,000 in 1 grant to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| New York | 8 | $93,000 |
| Illinois | 13 | $84,500 |
| Wisconsin | 6 | $73,500 |
| District of Columbia | 9 | $53,500 |
| Washington | 13 | $40,000 |
| Montana | 3 | $39,000 |
| California | 7 | $30,500 |
| Florida | 3 | $22,000 |
| Minnesota | 3 | $20,000 |
| West Virginia | 1 | $20,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Reproductive Rights | Unrestricted | $45,000 |
| Depaul University | $5,000 unrestricted;$25,000 scholarships | $30,000 |
| Individual | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Northwoods Alliance | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Individual | Unrestricted | $22,000 |
| Individual | Unrestricted | $20,000 |
| National Resources Defense Council | Unrestricted | $19,000 |
| National Abortion Federation | Unrestricted | $16,000 |
| ACLU Foundation | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Brennan Center for Justice | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Individual | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Feed Our Rural Kids | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| National Park Foundation | Jr anglers program | $12,500 |
| Nature Conservancy | Unrestricted | $12,500 |
| Chicago Scholars Foundation | Generations scholarship fund | $10,500 |
| American River Conservancy | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Sierra Club Foundation | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| K9'S for Warriors | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Moffitt Cancer Center | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| PBS Northduluth Superior Area Ed TV | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Sport for Impact Inc | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Seattle Childrens Guild Association | Unicorn family guild | $10,000 |
| Ucds Schools | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| American Prarie | Unrestricted | $8,000 |
| Wounded Warrior Project | Unrestricted | $8,000 |
| Gary Sinise Foundation | Unrestricted | $8,000 |
| Evironmental Defense Fund | Unrestricted | $8,000 |
| Freinds of the Boundry Waters Wilde | Unrestricted | $7,500 |
| Individual | Unrestricted | $6,000 |
| Individual | Wolf project | $6,000 |
| Barack Obama Foundation | Girls opportunity alliance | $5,000 |
| Kuow Puget Sound Public Radio | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Individual | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Individual | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Howard County Conservancy | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Trevor Project | Unrestricted | $4,500 |
| Freedom From Religion Foundation | Unrestricted | $4,000 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | Unrestricted | $4,000 |
| Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shel | Unrestricted | $4,000 |
| Individual | Unrestricted | $4,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Charles B Sethness
- Mary R Sethness
- Norman A Ryan
- Randall Romei
Questions people ask
Does Mary and Charles Sethness Charitable Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Mary and Charles Sethness Charitable Foundation give?
$581,000 in tax year 2025, across 90 grants, with a typical grant of $3,500.
Who runs Mary and Charles Sethness Charitable Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Charles B Sethness (President/Dir), Mary R Sethness (Vice Pres/Dir), Norman A Ryan (Treasurer/Dir) and Randall Romei (Secretary/Dir).
What does Mary and Charles Sethness Charitable Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, environment and conservation and youth programs.