Charles W & Patrica S Bidwill Foundati
The Charles W & Patricia S Bidwill Foundation is a private independent foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 2001. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to improving educational access and outcomes for underserved populations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+49.9% YoY
Grant Count
30
+30.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$38K
+14.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's core mission centers on the belief that quality education is critical to individual success and community wellbeing. The foundation prioritizes support for underserved groups and emphasizes that quality education—in its many forms—allows all individuals to participate in society.
Primary funding areas include:
- Access to quality education for students facing educational barriers
- Scholarships and special education programs
- Tutoring initiatives
- Character development programs
- Continuing education and non-traditional educational pathways
- Performing arts instruction to underserved communities
- Support for Catholic schools in underserved areas
- Programs serving children and adults with developmental disabilities
The foundation has historically focused on young people and their educational needs, with plans to continue expanding support to include broader educational pathways that help individuals reach their full potential.
Grantmaking
The foundation frequently provides general operating support along with assistance for scholarships, special education programs, tutoring, character development initiatives, and other aligned programs.
Grant Range
$25,000
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation focuses its support in the greater Chicagoland area—where its roots are—as well as Los Angeles and other select locations.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $18,611,862
- Total Revenues: $24,109,525
- Total Expenses: $1,557,491
- Number of Employees: 0
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $16.8 million
- Total Revenues: $31.4 million
- Total Expenses: $1.03 million
- Giving Rate: 4.4% of assets
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since December 2001 EIN: 36-4479735
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
101 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Thrive Scholars ($200,000), Bandwith Music Ltd ($160,000), Mychals Learning Place ($77,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARRUPE COLLEGE OF LOYOLA CHICAGO, IL | PROMOTES HIGHER EDUCATION | $30,000 |
| BANDWITH MUSIC LTD CHICAGO, IL | PROVIDE PERFORMING ARTS INSTRUCTION TO UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES | $160,000 |
| BIG SHOULDERS CHICAGO, IL | PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO CATHOLIC SCHOOLS IN THE NEEDIEST AREAS OF INNER-CITY CHICAGO. | $50,000 |
| CHALLENGED ATHLETES FOUNDATION SAN DIEGO, CA | TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES AND SUPPORT TO PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL CHALLENGES SO THEY CAN PURSUE ACTIVE LIFESTYLES THROUGH PHYSICAL FITNESS AND COMPETITIVE ATHLETICS | $10,000 |
| CHICAGO JESUIT ACADEMY CHICAGO, IL | CATHOLIC EDUCATION OF MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS | $25,000 |
| CHRIST THE KING JESUIT COLLEGE PREP CHICAGO, IL | TO PROVIDE A QUALITY CATHOLIC EDUCATION TO CHICAGO'S WEST SIDE | $25,000 |
| CRISTO REY ST MARTIN WAUKEGAN, IL | OFFERS CATHOLIC COLLEGE PREPARATORY EDUCATION FOR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS IN THE NORTH CHICAGO AND WAUKEGAN AREA. | $50,000 |
| FIVER CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED IN NEW YORK AREA | $25,000 |
| GOLDEN HEART RANCH HERMOSA BEACH, CA | PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG ADULTS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES | $10,000 |
| INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CHICAGO, IL | PROMOTE EDUCTION & PREPARES STUDENTS FOR THE GLOBAL WORKFORCE | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PATRICIA M BIDWILL | DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT | 8 | $20,000 |
| SHAUNA B VALENZUELA | DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| BRIAN R BIDWILL | DIRECTOR/VICE-PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| AMELIA B VALENZUELA | DIRECTOR/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| CHARLES W BIDWILL JR | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Charles W & Patrica S Bidwill Foundati fund?
The foundation's core mission centers on the belief that quality education is critical to individual success and community wellbeing. The foundation prioritizes support for underserved groups and emphasizes that quality education—in its many forms—allows all individuals to participate in society. **Primary funding areas include:** • Access to quality education for students facing educational barriers • Scholarships and special education programs • Tutoring initiatives • Character development pr…
How do I apply for a grant from Charles W & Patrica S Bidwill Foundati?
**Grant Activity:** • Since 2005, the foundation has awarded over $4.5 million in grants • In 2024, the foundation made 22 grants totaling approximately $741,000 • Median grant size: $25,000 • Grant range: $1,000 to $100,000 **Grant Types:** The foundation frequently provides general operating support along with assistance for scholarships, special education programs, tutoring, character development initiatives, and other aligned programs. **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept…
Where does Charles W & Patrica S Bidwill Foundati make grants?
The foundation focuses its support in the greater Chicagoland area—where its roots are—as well as Los Angeles and other select locations.
What size grants does Charles W & Patrica S Bidwill Foundati award?
In 2024, Charles W & Patrica S Bidwill Foundati awarded 30 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $38K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Charles W & Patrica S Bidwill Foundati's EIN?
Charles W & Patrica S Bidwill Foundati's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4479735. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
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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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