Benjamin F Ferguson
Benjamin F Ferguson is a private foundation, based in Po Box Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $950K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $51K. Net investment income was $28K.
Benjamin F Ferguson at a glance
In short: Benjamin F Ferguson gave $51K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $50,819
- -12.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $12,705
- -12.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $950,059
- -3.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Benjamin F Ferguson funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Art Institute of Chicago ($48K). Together the top 4 received $51K.
Grant Size Distribution
11 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 7 grants of 11 (64%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Benjamin F Ferguson gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−9%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 116% 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
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $51K (2025) to $58K (2024). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $51K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL | General Support | $47,819 |
| Chicago Foundlings Home Chicago, IL | General Support | $1,000 |
| Lawrence Hall Youth Services Chicago, IL | General Support | $1,000 |
| Bright Promises Foundation Chicago, IL | General Support | $1,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Benjamin F Ferguson?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $950,059 | $30,290 | $64,542 | $50,819 | 4 | $59,363 | $28,125 | $51,190 |
| 2024 | $984,395 | $41,016 | $72,490 | $58,281 | 4 | $66,883 | $35,459 | $49,061 |
| 2023 | $1,015,562 | $-32,389 | $70,309 | $56,098 | 1 | $64,528 | $25,115 | $47,931 |
| 2022 | $1,117,834 | $28,156 | $78,466 | $56,098 | 1 | $65,446 | $26,761 | $53,041 |
| 2021 | $1,168,916 | $280,014 | $73,960 | $56,098 | 1 | — | $271,741 | $53,417 |
| 2020 | $962,788 | $46,659 | $72,832 | $56,098 | 1 | — | $33,187 | $52,262 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Benjamin F Ferguson reported a distributable amount of $51K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Benjamin F Ferguson's only listed officer is Northern Trust Company, Trustee on every filing since 2020 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
Northern Trust Company
Trustee
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$14K (2020) → $12K (2025)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $12K, to Northern Trust Company (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Benjamin F Ferguson
How much does Benjamin F Ferguson give each year?
Benjamin F Ferguson gave $51K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $58K across 4 grants.
What is Benjamin F Ferguson's typical grant size?
Benjamin F Ferguson's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $12,705, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Benjamin F Ferguson give grants?
Benjamin F Ferguson gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (4 grants).
Does Benjamin F Ferguson give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Benjamin F Ferguson's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is Benjamin F Ferguson?
Benjamin F Ferguson reported $950K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $59K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $51K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Benjamin F Ferguson's EIN?
Benjamin F Ferguson's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6035795. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 25, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 7, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Other open foundation grants in Illinois
Illinois Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Benjamin F Ferguson's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Illinois
David and Susan Kreisman Family
Delray Beach, FL
The David and Susan Kreisman Family funds a varied mix of education, humanitarian, Jewish community, cultural, and policy organizations, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Illinois and New York. Grants ranged from $500 to $500,000, with a median of $10,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected organizations.
Assets
$1.0M
Grants
27
Total Given
$1.1M
Robert & Terri Cohn Family Foundation
Naples, FL
The Robert & Terri Cohn Family Foundation funds arts and music, health, education, youth services, and programs for people with disabilities, primarily in Illinois and Missouri. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $45,000, with a median of $5,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$13.6M
Grants
43
Total Given
$378K
Mary Hooker Dole Trust
Chicago, IL
Assets
$22.7M
Grants
6
Total Given
$1.5M
Field Foundation of Illinois
Chicago, IL
The Field Foundation of Illinois funds arts and culture, resident-led community work, journalism and storytelling, and local leaders, primarily on Chicago’s South and West Sides. Its 2025 grants had a median of $25,000, though awards ranged from $300 to over $1.1 million; it accepts unsolicited applications for A Road Together during an annual window, while Community Investments is invitation-based and Leaders for a New Chicago works by nomination.
Assets
$49.0M
Grants
299
Total Given
$10.8M
Margot & Thomas Pritzker Family Foundation
Chicago, IL
The foundation supports organizations working in areas such as policy research, global affairs, urban agriculture, humanitarian response, and environmental education, primarily in Washington, DC and Illinois. Its 2024 grants ranged from $1,750 to $2 million, with a median award of $25,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$65.6M
Grants
30
Total Given
$5.3M
Agape Foundation
Burr Ridge, IL
The foundation supports charitable, educational, and scientific organizations across varied areas, with most of its giving in Illinois and smaller amounts in Ohio and Connecticut. In 2025, it made 13 grants ranging from $1,000 to $75,000, with a median of $10,000. It accepts requests by letter with a copy of the organization’s IRS 501(c)(3) determination letter; there is no standard form or deadline.
Assets
$2.7M
Grants
13
Total Given
$248K
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 Benjamin F Ferguson'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.
Benjamin F Ferguson down — hundreds of funders to go?