Arthur O Silver Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Chicago, IL EIN: 87-4395915

Arthur O Silver Foundation is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2022 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.4M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 4 grants totaling $1.1M. Net investment income was $100K.

Arthur O Silver Foundation at a glance

In short: Arthur O Silver Foundation gave $1.1M across 4 grants in 2024 (avg $278K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Annual giving (2024)
$1,113,000
-3.2% vs 2023
Grants made (2024)
4
+100.0% vs 2023
Average grant
$278,250
-51.6% vs 2023
Median grant
$137,500
Total assets
$3,407,127
-22.2% vs 2023
Primary geography
Illinois (78% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026.

Who Arthur O Silver Foundation funds

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 4 recipients in 2024

Foundation for Realization of Human Potential - NFP: $830KFoundation for Realization ofHuman Potential - NFP$830KMaharishi International Univesity: $250KMaharishi InternationalUnivesity$250KChristian Heritage Training: $25KChristian Heritage Training$25KChicago Shakespeare Theater: $8KChicago Shakespeare Theater$8K

The largest 2024 recipient was Foundation for Realization of Human Potential - NFP ($830K). Together the top 4 received $1.1M.

Grant Size Distribution

8 grants across all recorded years

2<$50K$50–100K2$100–250K1$250–500K2$500K–1M1$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 2 grants of 8 (25%).

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

Grant Distribution by State

2states

Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.

States

Cities

ChicagoFairfield

How Arthur O Silver Foundation gives

  • In 2024 it paid out 618% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.

Giving History

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$500K$1M$1.5M$2M2 grants2022 2 grants2023 4 grants2024

From 2022 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2024) to $2.0M (2022). In 2024 it made 4 grants totaling $1.1M.

Grants by year

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Foundation for Realization of Human Potential - NFP Chicago, ILSocial Service$830,000
Maharishi International Univesity Fairfield, IAEducation$250,000
Christian Heritage Training Chicago, ILEducation$25,000
Chicago Shakespeare Theater Chicago, ILARTS$8,000
Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Arthur O Silver Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Figures from IRS filings, by filing year
Filing yearTotal AssetsRevenueExpensesGrants paidGrantsQualifying DistributionsNet Investment IncomeDistributable Amount
2024$3,407,127$127,291$1,164,634$1,113,0004$1,137,374$100,031$184,169
2023$4,380,436$140,929$1,263,619$1,150,0002$1,204,961—$227,867
2022$5,537,642$7,581,848$2,044,206$2,000,0002$2,000,000$101,554$264,012

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Arthur O Silver Foundation reported a distributable amount of $184K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Leadership & Key People

Officers and directors from IRS filings

Arthur O Silver Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.

Officers on the 2024 filing

  • Donald Delves

    Co-Trustee

    On filings since 2022

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Rich Lyons

    Co-Trustee

    On filings since 2022

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

  • Thomas Terry

    Co-Trustee

    On filings since 2022

    2 hrs/week

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2022–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Frequently asked questions about Arthur O Silver Foundation

How much does Arthur O Silver Foundation give each year?

Arthur O Silver Foundation gave $1.1M across 4 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 2 grants.

What is Arthur O Silver Foundation's typical grant size?

Arthur O Silver Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $137,500, and its average grant was $278,250, across 4 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Arthur O Silver Foundation give grants?

Arthur O Silver Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 78% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Iowa (22%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (3 grants).

Does Arthur O Silver Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2024: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on Arthur O Silver Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.

How large is Arthur O Silver Foundation?

Arthur O Silver Foundation reported $3.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $184K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What is Arthur O Silver Foundation's EIN?

Arthur O Silver Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-4395915. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2022–2024.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.

Data update history

(1)

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2022–2024

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Arthur O Silver Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders with grantees in common

The Pattis Family Foundation

Highland Park, IL

The Pattis Family Foundation supports program and operating expenses, reporting a single grant of about $503,000 in 2025 to a recipient in Illinois. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$16.3M

Grants

1

Total Given

$503K

Bayless Family Foundation

Chicago, IL

The Bayless Family Foundation supports creative expression across the arts, including theatre, literature, visual and media arts, and culinary arts. In 2024, its grants ranged from $5,000 to $131,814, with a median of $50,000, and all went to Illinois organizations. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$5.2M

Grants

11

Total Given

$667K

F J Zimmermann Foundation

Chicago, IL

The F J Zimmermann Foundation supports varied organizations, including educational institutions, religious organizations, theaters, and community groups, often for general support or scholarships. In 2025, grants ranged from $100 to $70,000, with a median of $1,500, and went to organizations in several states, especially Maryland, California, Oregon, Nevada, and Michigan. The filing says giving is not limited to preselected organizations and lists no required application materials or deadline; contact Mark Egan.

Assets

$1.7M

Grants

12

Total Given

$191K

Sonja & F Conrad Fischer Foundation

Chicago, IL

The foundation funds a broad range of organizations, including arts and cultural groups, education, health, and human services; in 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $125,000, with a median of $12,500. It is based in Chicago and gave mainly in Illinois, Michigan, and Colorado in 2024, with smaller amounts elsewhere. It does not restrict giving to preselected organizations; applicants are instructed to contact F Conrad Fischer with a standardized request, due by November 15.

Assets

$9.4M

Grants

14

Total Given

$553K

Janis Morris Foundation

Chicago, IL

Assets

$415K

Grants

15

Total Given

$19K

Bryan Cressey and Iliana Sweis

Chicago, IL

The foundation supports a range of work, including recovery services, research, education, and conservation, with most of its 2025 giving going to Illinois organizations. Grants ranged from $200 to $1.4 million, with a median of $11,250; it considers only major public charities. The profile says to contact Bryan C. Cressey and notes that no special forms or deadlines are required.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$3.8M

Grants

16

Total Given

$1.9M

More similar funders

More Funders in Illinois

The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open

Figures come from Arthur O Silver Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.

Arthur O Silver Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?