Blazer Foundation
The Blazer Foundation is a private foundation based in Rockford, Illinois, established by Cedric W. Blazer in 1986. It supports efforts to improve the lives of people with mental or physical disabilities in Winnebago County and adjoining counties of northern Illinois, including research and development initiatives and programs that directly serve people with disabilities.
Blazer Foundation at a glance
In short: Blazer Foundation gave $1.4M across 24 grants in 2025 (avg $59K), mostly in Illinois. 38% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,422,133
- +54.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 24
- -4.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $59,256
- +60.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $17,367,485
- +4.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (9 of 24, 2025; small sample)
- 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. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Blazer Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The Foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Its website also describes an application process for eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit agencies: use the Foundation’s application form, submitted online or by email; mailed applications are not accepted. The application requests information about the organization, program, budget, funding sources, and board, as well as a copy of the IRS tax-exempt letter. The Foundation requires written follow-up for approved grants. Its homepage lists September 29, 2026, as the deadline for review at the next board meeting.
- Contact
Mailing address: 6735 Vistagreen Way Suite 110, Rockford, IL 61107
Phone: (815) 282-5200
Website: https://theblazerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Blazer Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Rockford Park District ($702K). Together the top 10 received $1.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
106 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 87 grants of 106 (82%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The stated geographic focus is Winnebago County and adjoining counties of northern Illinois. The 2025 grant listing includes recipients in Illinois and one recipient in Washington.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Blazer Foundation open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 9 of 24 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. With only 24 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $12K; repeat grants $88K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $21K repeat.
- 54% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 155% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 139% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $355K (2021) to $1.4M (2025). In 2025 it made 24 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Rockford Park District Rockford, IL | Charitable | $702,000 |
| Midway Village Rockford, IL | Charitable | $268,500 |
| Gigi's Playhouse Machesney Park, IL | Educational | $104,890 |
| Laurent House Rockford, IL | Charitable | $75,500 |
| 205 Direct Dental Services Rockford, IL | Medical | $50,000 |
| Barbara Olson Center of Hope Rockford, IL | Charitable | $40,000 |
| Milestone Inc Loves Park, IL | Medical | $28,500 |
| Walter Lawson Loves Park, IL | Social Welfare | $22,324 |
| Golden Apple Foundation Rockford, IL | Educational | $21,149 |
| Special Olympics Illinois Rockford, IL | Charitable | $12,300 |
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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 | $17,367,485 | $2,246,388 | $1,565,695 | $1,422,133 | 24 | $1,464,422 | $2,170,376 | $1,054,624 |
| 2024 | $16,686,792 | $1,267,006 | $1,031,362 | $922,216 | 25 | $959,179 | $1,177,787 | $1,029,408 |
| 2023 | $16,451,148 | $362,099 | $1,025,074 | $911,557 | 18 | $953,893 | $417,439 | $922,356 |
| 2022 | $17,197,581 | $368,453 | $657,994 | $558,019 | 21 | $594,393 | $404,565 | $937,013 |
| 2021 | $17,428,541 | $1,378,304 | $453,779 | $355,409 | 18 | $390,036 | $1,314,586 | $1,046,449 |
| 2020 | $16,504,016 | $233,277 | $1,442,506 | $1,337,611 | 25 | — | $403,551 | $910,856 |
| 2019 | $17,713,245 | $827,328 | $846,101 | $753,971 | 26 | — | $769,275 | $938,712 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Blazer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.1M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is “to improve the lives of individuals with mental or physical disabilities living in Winnebago County and adjoining counties of northern Illinois.” It supports local research and development initiatives and programs designed to directly support those individuals. Its website says agencies should request funding for programs or special needs that predominantly address this mission.
Recent grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. Barbara Olson Center of Hope says it helps people with developmental disabilities reach personal goals through skill development, vocational opportunities, and community service. Milestone says it works to uphold the rights and community participation of people with developmental disabilities. Special Olympics Illinois describes its work as year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. GiGi’s Playhouse says it provides free educational, therapeutic, and career-development programs for people with Down syndrome, their families, and the community.
Grantmaking
The Foundation reported 24 grants totaling $1,422,133 in 2025, compared with 25 grants totaling $922,216 in 2024 and 18 grants totaling $911,557 in 2023. In 2025, grant amounts ranged from $3,500 to $702,000, with a median grant of $10,000.
The largest reported 2025 grants included $702,000 to Rockford Park District, $268,500 to Midway Village, $104,890 to GiGi’s Playhouse, and $75,500 to Laurent House. Other notable awards included $50,000 to 205 Direct Dental Services, $40,000 to Barbara Olson Center of Hope, and $28,500 to Milestone Inc.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists James W. Keeling as president, Mark Blazer as vice president, Tara Blazer as director, and Shendet Ismajlaj as treasurer/secretary. The Foundation describes its board as a volunteer board of four individuals.
Blazer Foundation is led by James W. Keeling, President since 2023 (on filings since 2019); none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
James W. Keeling
President
Director Part-Time → Director Par, 2022
Director Par → President, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Tara Blazer
Director
Director Part-Time → Director Par, 2022
Director Par → Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Mark Blazer
Vice President
Director Part-Time → Director Par, 2022
Director Par → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Shendet Ismajlaj
Treasurer & Secretary
Director Part-Time → Director Par, 2022
Director Par → Treasurer & Secretary, 2023
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Patrick Shaw (2019–2022) — Director Par
- Former: John Beck (2019–2020) — Director Part-Time
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Blazer Foundation
How much does Blazer Foundation give each year?
Blazer Foundation gave $1.4M across 24 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $922K across 25 grants.
What is Blazer Foundation's typical grant size?
Blazer Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $59,256, across 24 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Blazer Foundation that year got $12K on average.
Where does Blazer Foundation give grants?
Blazer Foundation 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 Rockford, IL (15 grants) and Loves Park, IL (2 grants).
Does Blazer Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 24 grants with a stated purpose on Blazer Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (15 grants), "Educational" (3 grants) and "Medical" (3 grants).
Who are Blazer Foundation's largest grantees?
Blazer Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Rockford Park District ($702,000), Midway Village ($268,500) and Gigi's Playhouse ($104,890), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 76% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Blazer Foundation?
Blazer Foundation reported $17.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.1M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Blazer Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is “to improve the lives of individuals with mental or physical disabilities living in Winnebago County and adjoining counties of northern Illinois.” It supports local research and development initiatives and programs designed to directly support those individuals. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Blazer Foundation?
The Foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Blazer Foundation's EIN?
Blazer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3480054. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Blazer Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 10, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 8, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 24, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 8, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Blazer Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/blazer-foundation-morg_3cac1c884d2c40c5aea01477c54a8df5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363480054_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Blazer Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/blazer-foundation-morg_3cac1c884d2c40c5aea01477c54a8df5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Blazer 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.
Blazer Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?