The Cretors Family Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) grantmaking foundation based in Lake Bluff, Illinois. Established in 2016, it operates as an independent foundation focused on philanthropic giving across multiple sectors including arts and culture, environmental conservation, health, and social justice.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$6.4M
-3.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$490K
+59.1% YoY
Grant Count
31
-6.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
+69.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Cretors Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $521K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation primarily funds support in the following areas:
- Arts and culture
- Wildlife conservation and environmental education
- Creating a healthier future for children
- Creating a fair and equitable justice system to support vulnerable communities
- Community and school gardens
- Environmental conservation
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis.
Grant Range
$7,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, New York, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $6.69 million
- Total revenues: $148,591
- Total expenses: $376,961
- Total liabilities: $0
- Giving rate: 4.6% of assets
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $6,439,935 | $6,685,579 | $6,913,921 |
| Revenue | $329,808 | $148,591 | $3,298,543 |
| Expenses | $575,452 | $376,961 | $682,529 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $498,981 | $308,767 | $591,425 |
| Net Investment Income | $235,336 | $92,428 | $539,881 |
| Distributable Amount | $521,040 | $436,219 | $389,772 |
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
150 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Chicago Botanic Garden ($50,000), Doctors Without Borders ($50,000), Ragdale ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALVIN AILEY DANCE FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | FURTHERING ARTS THROUGH SOCIAL PROGRAMS | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS CHICAGO, IL | FOR ASSISTING COMMUNITY NEEDS | $20,000 |
| BEST BUDDIES MIAMI, FL | CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR FRIENDSHIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES | $10,000 |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN GLENCOE, IL | ENVIRONMENTAL AND GARDEN EDUCATION | $50,000 |
| CHICAGO FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN CHICAGO, IL | PROVIDING SOCIAL SUPPORT FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS. | $35,000 |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA CHICAGO, IL | MEDIA CREATING FOR EDUCATION PURPOSES | $10,000 |
| COMMUNITY YOUTH NETWORK COUNSELING(CYN) GRAYSLAKE, IL | COUNSELING SERVICES | $5,000 |
| DEPAUL UNIVERSITY CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORTING THE INTEGRAL HUMAN DEVELOPMENT OF ITS STUDENTS BY PROVING OUTSTANDING TEACHING & ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE. | $5,000 |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS NEW YORK, NY | PROVIDE HEALTH CARE SUPPORT ABROAD | $50,000 |
| ERIE FAMILY HEALTH FOUNDATION CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT ERIE FAMILY HEALTH CENTER MISSION | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYLLIS R CRETORS | PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LAURA E JONES | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| ANNA LOUISE BAILEY | VICE PRESIDENT/SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| CLAIRE E WEILER | VICE PRESIDENT/TREASURER | 1 | — |
Contact Information
- Address: 711 Park Place, Lake Bluff, IL 60044-2613
- Phone: 847-922-7230
- EIN: 47-4939829
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Cretors Family Foundation fund?
The foundation primarily funds support in the following areas: • Arts and culture • Wildlife conservation and environmental education • Creating a healthier future for children • Creating a fair and equitable justice system to support vulnerable communities • Community and school gardens • Environmental conservation
How do I apply for a grant from Cretors Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 32-33 grants in 2023 • Total giving: $308,000-$490,000 annually • Median grant size: $7,000 • Grant range: $3,000-$250,000 • Typical awards: $2,500-$250,000 **Recent Grant Examples (2023):** • Chicago Botanic Garden: $50,000 (Environmental and Garden Education) • Doctors without Borders USA: $20,000 (Health Care Support Abroad) • Fenix Family Health Center: $10,000 (Medical Care for Low Income and Uninsured People) **Application Policy:** The foundation does not accep…
Where does Cretors Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, New York, and California.
What size grants does Cretors Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Cretors Family Foundation awarded 31 grants totaling $490K — an average of about $16K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Cretors Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Cretors Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $521K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Cretors Family Foundation's EIN?
Cretors Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-4939829. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Cretors Family 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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