Buddy Bear Foundation
Buddy Bear Foundation is a private foundation, based in Berwyn, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2023 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $514K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 5 grants totaling $12K. Net investment income was $28K.
Buddy Bear Foundation at a glance
In short: Buddy Bear Foundation gave $12K across 5 grants in 2024 (avg $2K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $12,000
- -25.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 5
- -28.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $2,400
- +5.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $514,181
- -0.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% 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 Buddy Bear Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 5 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Golympians ($5K). Together the top 5 received $12K.
Grant Size Distribution
12 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 12 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 5 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Buddy Bear Foundation gives
- In 2024 it paid out 117% 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 2023 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2024) to $16K (2023). In 2024 it made 5 grants totaling $12K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Golympians Chicago, IL | Support for Youth Track Program | $5,000 |
| The Work Foundation Chicago, IL | Youth Social Services | $4,000 |
| Commonwealth Community Church Chicago, IL | Religous Services | $1,000 |
| Peace Makers Coalition Chicago, IL | Support for Youth-Led Peace Movement | $1,000 |
| Team Lewis Foundation Chicago, IL | Social Services | $1,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $514,181 | $39,134 | $42,970 | $12,000 | 5 | $30,830 | $28,183 | $26,417 |
| 2023 | $518,017 | $211,139 | $19,805 | $16,000 | 7 | $16,000 | $7,334 | $16,325 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Buddy Bear Foundation reported a distributable amount of $26K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Buddy Bear Foundation is led by Phillip J., President on the 2024 filing; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Phillip J.
President
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Anne L. Degeratto
Director
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Paul T. Julian
Secretary
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Sally A. Julian
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Phillip J. Degeratto (2023) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2024. "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 Buddy Bear Foundation
How much does Buddy Bear Foundation give each year?
Buddy Bear Foundation gave $12K across 5 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $16K across 7 grants.
What is Buddy Bear Foundation's typical grant size?
Buddy Bear Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $1,000, and its average grant was $2,400, across 5 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Buddy Bear Foundation give grants?
Buddy Bear Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (5 grants).
Does Buddy Bear Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 5 grants with a stated purpose on Buddy Bear Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Buddy Bear Foundation's largest grantees?
Buddy Bear Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Golympians ($5,000), The Work Foundation ($4,000) and Commonwealth Community Church ($1,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 83% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Buddy Bear Foundation?
Buddy Bear Foundation reported $514K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $31K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $26K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is Buddy Bear Foundation's EIN?
Buddy Bear Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-5100308. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2024.
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
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024
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