Clarks Fork Foundation
Clarks Fork Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation based in Lake Forest, Illinois. The foundation has been tax-exempt since September 1990 and operates as a grantmaking organization supporting charitable causes across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.1M
-2.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$240K
+6.6% YoY
Grant Count
74
+23.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$3K
-13.5% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Clarks Fork Foundation reported a distributable amount of $197K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Science and STEM Education
- Journalism
Grantmaking
No specific application guidelines or procedures are documented in available sources.
Grant Range
$2,000
Average Grant
amount varies by funding cycle
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Clarks Fork Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Illinois
- Montana
- Wyoming
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $3,096,940
- Total Revenue: $183,582
- Total Expenses: $277,685
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Net Income: -$94,103
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $3,800,000
- Total Distributions: $231,000
The foundation's revenue is primarily derived from interest and investment income, with no contributions received in recent years.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,096,940 | $3,191,043 | $3,301,955 |
| Revenue | $183,582 | $148,118 | $67,244 |
| Expenses | $277,685 | $259,030 | $255,148 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $246,272 | $231,070 | $220,340 |
| Net Investment Income | $152,169 | $120,158 | $36,239 |
| Distributable Amount | $196,782 | $178,891 | $185,724 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Monmouth College ($27,000), Bridger Care ($20,000), Lake County Community Foundation ($12,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF MONTANA GREAT FALLS, MT | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $1,000 |
| ANNE K TAYLOR FUND BILLINGS, MT | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $400 |
| ASHLEY HALL CHARLESTON, SC | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $500 |
| BOZEMAN PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION BOZEMAN, MT | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $2,000 |
| BOZEMAN SCHOOLS FOUNDATION BOZEMAN, MT | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $5,000 |
| BRAVO WAUKEGAN LAKE FOREST, IL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $150 |
| BRIDGER CARE BILLINGS, MT | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $20,000 |
| BRIGHT POINT CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $300 |
| BRUSHWOOD CENTER AT RYERSON WOODS RIVERWOODS, IL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $300 |
| BUFFALO BILL HISTORICAL CENTER CODY, WY | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $3,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is led by:
- Heather Hart Goldstein — Director & President
- Augustin S Hart III — Director & Treasurer
- Kathryn H Lansing — Director & Secretary
All three serve in volunteer capacities with no reported compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEATHER HART GOLDSTEIN | DIRECTOR & PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| AUGUSTIN S HART III | DIRECTOR & TREASURER | 1 | — |
| KATHRYN H LANSING | DIRECTOR & SECRETARY | 1 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Clarks Fork Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Science and STEM Education • Journalism
How do I apply for a grant from Clarks Fork Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Typical grant awards range from $100 to $27,500 • Median grant size: $2,000 • Average grant amount varies by funding cycle • The foundation distributed approximately $231,000 to $239,917 in grants during recent fiscal years • Approximately 60 grants awarded in recent cycles **Application Process:** No specific application guidelines or procedures are documented in available sources.
Where does Clarks Fork Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Illinois • Montana • Wyoming
What size grants does Clarks Fork Foundation award?
In 2024, Clarks Fork Foundation awarded 74 grants totaling $240K — an average of about $3K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Clarks Fork Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Clarks Fork Foundation reported a distributable amount of $197K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Clarks Fork Foundation's EIN?
Clarks Fork Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3674219. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Clarks Fork Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Green and Blue Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$51K
Above and Beyond Daycare Center
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Primo Center for Women & Children
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
RHS Foundation
MOLINE, IL
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
37
Total Given
$342K
Rose Lafferty Educational Fund Xxxxx9006
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$228K
The John Crerar Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$991K
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Clarks Fork Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Clarks Fork Foundation to a real strategy.