Bluespruce Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation was granted tax-exempt status in April 2020. It operates as a grantmaking foundation focused on philanthropic initiatives across multiple U.S. states.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$25K
-97.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.4M
+103.0% YoY
Grant Count
15
+7.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$163K
+89.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Bluespruce Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary focus is on philanthropy and foundations. It supports philanthropic initiatives and grantmaking activities across various regions in the United States.
Grantmaking
The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Average Grant
amount: $367
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation provides funding to multiple U.S. states and cities, including:
- California
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
- Rhode Island
Specific cities funded include Ann Arbor, Aspen, and Attleboro, among others.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | Amount | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,163,758 | 2023 |
| Total Giving | $1,205,095 | 2023 |
| Annual Expenses | $1,224,155 | 2023 |
| Revenue | $1,023,520 | 2023 |
| Total Liabilities | $0 | 2023 |
The foundation's assets increased 2.6% from the previous year.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $25,231 | $1,163,758 | $1,364,393 |
| Revenue | $1,320,288 | $1,023,520 | $1,160,413 |
| Expenses | $2,458,815 | $1,224,155 | $511,654 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,457,815 | $1,224,155 | $510,654 |
| Net Investment Income | $74,770 | $36,925 | $21,086 |
| Distributable Amount | $6,418 | $60,161 | $79,888 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
69 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Edward and Jennifer Magnus Schwab Charitable Fund ($1,237,056), Hurd Family Donor Advised Fund ($1,093,956), Wings Program Inc ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| HURD FAMILY DONOR ADVISED FUND Aspen, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,093,956 |
| EDWARD AND JENNIFER MAGNUS SCHWAB CHARITABLE FUND ANN ARBOR, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,237,056 |
| HAYMARKET OPERA COMPANY NFP CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO FOUNDATION CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| HENRY SCHUELER 41 & 9 FOUNDATION CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY EVANSTON, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| WINGS PROGRAM INC PALATINE, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| ASPEN FOOTBALL ASPEN, CO | GENERAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| MARY MEYER SCHOOL CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $6,000 |
| THREE FIRES COUNCIL INC BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA TROOP 1776 SAINT CHARLES, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by an uncompensated board:
- Jennifer Jacoby Hurd — President/Director
- Edward Magnus — Treasurer/Director
- Timothy Hurd — Director
All board members serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Contact Information
Address: 15 East Oak Street, Suite 300 Chicago, Illinois 60611-1205 United States
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bluespruce Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary focus is on philanthropy and foundations. It supports philanthropic initiatives and grantmaking activities across various regions in the United States.
How do I apply for a grant from Bluespruce Foundation?
**Financial Activity:** • Total assets: $1,163,758 (2023) • Total giving: $1,205,095 (2023) • Annual expenses: $1,224,155 (2023) • Revenue: $1,023,520 (2023) • Average grant amount: $367 • Total grants awarded: 4,618 (previous year) • Grants awarded in 2024: 14 grants **Applicant Status:** The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.
Where does Bluespruce Foundation make grants?
The foundation provides funding to multiple U.S. states and cities, including: • California • Colorado • Illinois • Massachusetts • Michigan • New York • Rhode Island Specific cities funded include Ann Arbor, Aspen, and Attleboro, among others.
What size grants does Bluespruce Foundation award?
In 2024, Bluespruce Foundation awarded 15 grants totaling $2.4M — an average of about $163K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Bluespruce Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Bluespruce Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Bluespruce Foundation's EIN?
Bluespruce Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-3854465. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Bluespruce Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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