Sethness Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Sethness Family Foundation is a private foundation in Northbrook, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $219,000 in 55 grants; the typical grant was $2,500 and the largest $15,000. 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$219,000
- Number of grants55
- Typical grant$2,500
- Largest grant$15,000
- Assets$4.6 million
- New grantees26%
Giving in 2025 was up from $192,000 the year before.
26% 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 | $193,500 | 48 | $4.1 million |
| 2024 | $192,000 | 48 | $4.5 million |
| 2025 | $219,000 | 55 | $4.6 million |
How to apply
Sethness Family 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 Sethness Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 16 states, the most to Illinois. It also paid $10,000 in 1 grant to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 14 | $47,500 |
| New York | 8 | $42,500 |
| New Hampshire | 12 | $29,000 |
| New Jersey | 3 | $18,500 |
| Florida | 3 | $11,500 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $10,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $10,000 |
| Iowa | 2 | $7,000 |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | $7,000 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $5,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Society of MSK | Msk society campaign 2023-2025 - $10,000pediatric cancer patient care - $5,000 | $15,000 |
| Brick Presbyterian Church | Unrestricted - $3,500church school - $10,000 | $13,500 |
| Central Park Conservancy | Unrestricted - $5,000conservancy women's committee - $5,000 | $10,000 |
| Individual | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Individual | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| International Committee of the Red | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Nantucket Historical Association | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Community Fnd of the Texas Hill Cou | Kerr county flood relief | $10,000 |
| Harris Theater of Music Dance | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Individual | Unrestricted | $6,000 |
| Big Shoulders Fund | Unrestricted | $5,500 |
| American Red Cross | Disaster relief jamaica | $5,000 |
| Hotchkiss School | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| St Andrews School | Saints fund | $5,000 |
| St Lawrence University | Annual fund | $5,000 |
| Case for Smiles | Capacity building campaign | $5,000 |
| Colby-Sawyer College | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| National Alliance to End Homelessne | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| New England Handicapped Sports Asso | Unresticted | $5,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Federation of Am | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| School of American Ballet | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Kearsarge Food Hub | Unrestricted | $4,500 |
| Cleveland Clinic Indian River Found | Unrestricted | $3,500 |
| John's Island Comm Service League | Unrestricted | $3,000 |
| Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Tr | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Kent Place School | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Lincoln Park Zoological Society | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Individual | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Stanford University | Graduate school of education | $2,500 |
| Vanderbilt University | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Catch A Lift Fund | Chistopher coffland memorial fund | $2,500 |
| First Presbyterian Church in the Ci | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Achilles International Inc | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Lehigh University | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| University of Richmond | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Bowery Mission | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Riverside Theatre | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Paws | Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| Sheldrick Wildlife Trust USA | Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| Depaul University | Unrestricted | $1,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Holly M Sethness
- Elizabeth S Walcher
- Charlotte H Sethness
- Randall Romei
Questions people ask
Does Sethness Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Sethness Family Foundation give?
$219,000 in tax year 2025, across 55 grants, with a typical grant of $2,500.
Who runs Sethness Family Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Holly M Sethness (President/Dir), Elizabeth S Walcher (Vice-Pres/Dir), Charlotte H Sethness (Treasurer/Dir) and Randall Romei (Secretary/Dir).
What does Sethness Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, health and faith communities.