Awards and Recognition Industry
Form 990-ez, part iii, primary exempt purpose - to award college tuitionscholarships to people associated with the trophy and award industry;to provide and support educational programs designed to improve ordevelop, the capabilities of individuals engaged in the operations ofawards and recognition; to engage in and support research in the awardsand recognition products industry.
Awards and Recognition Industry at a glance
In short: Awards and Recognition Industry gave $15K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $15K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $15,000
- -80.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $15,000
- -80.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $210,346
- +19.6% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Awards and Recognition Industry funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Awards & Personalization Assn ($15K).
Grant Size Distribution
4 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 3 grants of 4 (75%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Awards and Recognition Industry gives
- Giving fell 70% from 2022 to 2025. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $15K (2025) to $75K (2024). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $15K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Awards & Personalization Assn Schaumburg, IL | Education | $15,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $210,346 | $48,288 | $45,986 | $15,000 | 1 | $4,759 |
| 2024 | $175,894 | $56,119 | $118,750 | $75,000 | 1 | $12,020 |
| 2023 | $286,721 | $20,529 | $81,961 | $50,000 | 1 | $2,811 |
| 2022 | $335,839 | $61,283 | $79,514 | $50,000 | 1 | $48,581 |
| 2021 | $388,339 | $25,195 | $64,451 | — | — | — |
| 2020 | $375,321 | $45,996 | $76,771 | — | — | — |
About Awards and Recognition Industry
Based on IRS filings
Awards and Recognition Industry is a public charity focused on Education, based in Schaumburg, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $210K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $15K. Net investment income was $5K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Awards and Recognition Industry is led by Dan Bencsik, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 7 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Dan Bencsik
President
Trustee → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Louise Ristau
Executive Director
Staff Liaison → Executive Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Niels Norby
Trustee
Treasurer → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Wilson Brim
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Messerschmidt
Trustee
Treasurer → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2023
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan Raymond
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Justin Varn
Treasurer
On filings since 2024
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (5)
- Former: John Stangle (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Lisa Higginbotham (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Tom Jackson (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Debbie Susdorf (2020) — President
- Former: Karen Guzman (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 Awards and Recognition Industry
How much does Awards and Recognition Industry give each year?
Awards and Recognition Industry gave $15K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $75K across 1 grant.
How large is Awards and Recognition Industry?
Awards and Recognition Industry reported $210K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $48K.
What is Awards and Recognition Industry?
Awards and Recognition Industry is a public charity focused on Education, based in Schaumburg, IL. It holds $210K in total assets as of 2025.
Where does Awards and Recognition Industry operate?
Awards and Recognition Industry has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is Awards and Recognition Industry's EIN?
Awards and Recognition Industry's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 03-0470216. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 10, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 11, 2026)
Live grants for the work Awards and Recognition Industry funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Awards and Recognition Industry's focus areas in our free grants database
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