Special People in Need
Accepts applications
Special People in Need is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $324,800 in 79 grants; the typical grant was $5,000 and the largest $7,000. It accepts applications; its filing gives the instructions below.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$324,800
- Number of grants79
- Typical grant$5,000
- Largest grant$7,000
- Assets$9.2 million
- New grantees30%
Giving in 2025 was down from $375,310 the year before.
30% 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 | $310,260 | 70 | $7.3 million |
| 2024 | $375,310 | 75 | $8.0 million |
| 2025 | $324,800 | 79 | $9.2 million |
How to apply
| Contact | Patrick J Bitterman 155 N Wacker Drive Suite 3200, Chicago, IL 60606 |
|---|---|
| Phone or email | (312) 715-5000 |
| What to submit, deadlines, restrictions | See grant guidelines, attached as general explanation statements 12 and 13 |
What Special People in Need funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 29 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 17 | $62,500 |
| Colorado | 8 | $42,500 |
| Montana | 8 | $38,700 |
| California | 5 | $23,500 |
| Maryland | 4 | $19,000 |
| Minnesota | 3 | $14,500 |
| District of Columbia | 2 | $10,000 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $10,000 |
| Washington | 3 | $9,500 |
| Connecticut | 2 | $8,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Free Wheelchair Mission | General | $7,000 |
| Can Do Canines Assistance Dogs | General | $6,500 |
| Canine Support Teams | General | $6,500 |
| Paragon Service Dogs | General | $6,500 |
| Catching the Dream | General | $6,000 |
| Center for Music for People With Disabilities | General | $6,000 |
| Disabled Patriots Fund | General | $6,000 |
| Roaring Fork Youth Orchestra | General | $6,000 |
| Variety (Ythe Children's Charity) | General | $6,000 |
| A Special Purpose | General | $5,000 |
| Ability Found | General | $5,000 |
| Access Living | General | $5,000 |
| Alice Lloyd College | General | $5,000 |
| American Samaritans | General | $5,000 |
| Bernie's Book Bank | General | $5,000 |
| Bethesda Cares | General | $5,000 |
| Bozeman Warming Shelter | General | $5,000 |
| Camp Possibilities | General | $5,000 |
| Dismas of Vermont | General | $5,000 |
| Dogs Inc | General | $5,000 |
| Eagle Mount-Bozeman | General | $5,000 |
| Feed My Sheep | General | $5,000 |
| Haven | General | $5,000 |
| Help Center | General | $5,000 |
| Horizons Inc | General | $5,000 |
| Kings and Priests Ministry | General | $5,000 |
| KSDS Assistance Dog Inc | General | $5,000 |
| Lift-Up | General | $5,000 |
| Manna Food Center | General | $5,000 |
| Martha's Table | General | $5,000 |
| Pawpads | General | $5,000 |
| Paws of War | General | $5,000 |
| Pregancy Resource Center Inc | General | $5,000 |
| Simple Changes Inc | General | $5,000 |
| So Others May Eat | Deneral | $5,000 |
| Southern Methodist College | General | $5,000 |
| The Night Ministry | General | $5,000 |
| University of the Cumberlands | General | $5,000 |
| Uproot Colorado | General | $5,000 |
| Wheels for Humanity | General | $5,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Molly M Gerbaz
- Leslie H Morningstar
- Larry D Gerbaz
- Terry A Skworch
- Lydia T Whitehead
- Leslie Ann Gerbaz-Blue
- Anne K Morningstar
- Sarah M Linsley
- Heidi Kimmel
- Jermey Gerbaz
- Patrick J Bitterman
Questions people ask
Does Special People in Need accept grant applications?
Yes. Its latest IRS filing says it accepts applications, with this on deadlines: See grant guidelines, attached as general explanation statements 12 and 13.
How much does Special People in Need give?
$324,800 in tax year 2025, across 79 grants, with a typical grant of $5,000.
Who runs Special People in Need?
Its 2025 filing lists Molly M Gerbaz (Dir/Chair), Leslie H Morningstar (Dir/Vp), Larry D Gerbaz (Dir/Vp) and Terry A Skworch (Director) among 11 officers and trustees.
What does Special People in Need fund?
Based on its grants, mainly animals, youth programs and disability.