Sheffield Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Sheffield Foundation is a private foundation in Lake Bluff, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $82,400 in 40 grants; the typical grant was $1,000 and the largest $11,100. 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$82,400
- Number of grants40
- Typical grant$1,000
- Largest grant$11,100
- Assets$1.6 million
- New grantees9%
Giving in 2025 was up from $65,050 the year before.
9% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $74,900 | 35 | $1.3 million |
| 2024 | $65,050 | 36 | $1.5 million |
| 2025 | $82,400 | 40 | $1.6 million |
How to apply
Sheffield 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 Sheffield Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 13 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 22 | $60,600 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $11,800 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $2,500 |
| Kansas | 2 | $1,000 |
| California | 1 | $1,000 |
| New Jersey | 1 | $1,000 |
| Utah | 1 | $1,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $1,000 |
| New York | 2 | $750 |
| New Hampshire | 2 | $700 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Elawa Farm Foundation | General operations | $11,100 |
| St Paul's Church | General Operations | $10,000 |
| The Church of the Holy Spirit | General Operations | $10,000 |
| Gorton Community Center | General operations | $7,000 |
| Art Institute of Chicago | General operations | $6,000 |
| Individual | General operations | $5,000 |
| World Wildlife Fund | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Lake Forest Open Lands Association | General operations | $3,000 |
| The Chi Psi Educational Trust | General Operations | $2,500 |
| University of Chicago Booth School | General Operations | $2,500 |
| Friends of the Lake Bluff Library | General operations | $1,500 |
| Bernie's Book Bank | General operations | $1,000 |
| Glasa | General operations | $1,000 |
| Lake Bluff Open Lands Association | General operations | $1,000 |
| National Wildlife Foundation | General operations | $1,000 |
| Paws for Patrick | General operations | $1,000 |
| The Seeing Eye Inc | General Operations | $1,000 |
| The Wetlands Initiative | General Operations | $1,000 |
| Metrosquash | General Operations | $1,000 |
| International Fellowship of Christi | General operations | $1,000 |
| Individual | General operations | $1,000 |
| The Nantucket Land and Water Counci | General operations | $1,000 |
| Individual | General Operations | $1,000 |
| Ethel Walker School | General operations | $500 |
| Mothers Trust Foundation | General operations | $500 |
| St Mark's School | General operations | $500 |
| The Community Church of Lake Forest | General Operations | $500 |
| Wounded Warrior Project | General Operations | $500 |
| Holderness School | General operations | $500 |
| Covenant House | General operations | $500 |
| British Schools and Universities Fo | General operations | $500 |
| Allendale | General operations | $500 |
| Friends of the Historic Genesee The | General operations | $500 |
| Rails to Trails Conservancy | General Operations | $300 |
| Alliance to protect Nantucket Sound | General operations | $300 |
| WTTW | General Operations | $250 |
| The Anti-Cruelty Society | General Operations | $250 |
| Individual | General operations | $250 |
| Individual | General operations | $250 |
| Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US | General operations | $200 |
Officers and trustees
- Thomas C Sheffield III
- Lucinda M Sheffield
- David AF Sweet
- Charles Sheffield
- Henry Sheffield
Questions people ask
Does Sheffield Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Sheffield Foundation give?
$82,400 in tax year 2025, across 40 grants, with a typical grant of $1,000.
Who runs Sheffield Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Thomas C Sheffield III (President), Lucinda M Sheffield (Treasurer & Sec), David AF Sweet (Director) and Charles Sheffield (Director) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does Sheffield Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly faith communities, environment and conservation and education.