Doug and Diane Oberhelman are philanthropists based in Edwards, Illinois, who direct giving through the Doug and Diane Oberhelman Family Foundation, a private foundation established in 2013. The foundation supports wildlife education and conservation, community development, and educational institutions, primarily in Illinois.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.6M
+78.7% YoY
Grant Count
34
-8.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$48K
+94.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Wildlife education and conservation — including wetlands protection, wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement, and preservation of natural landscapes
- Community development — supporting regional needs across central Illinois
- Education — funding educational institutions and programs
- Human services — including developmental services and community health initiatives
Grantmaking
The foundation made 34 grants in 2024, with recent recipients including:
Grant Range
s range from approximately $150,000 to $200,000+ for major recipients, with additional grants totaling $770,448 across 20+ other organizations in 2024.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations and initiatives in Illinois, with particular emphasis on central Illinois communities including Marshall, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford counties.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Assets: $4,739,217
- Total Revenues: $1,313,286
- Total Expenses: $1,772,230
- Number of Employees: 0
2023 Financial Data:
- Total Assets: $5,250,000
- Total Revenues: $2,380,000
- Total Expenses: $1,010,000
| 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
182 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ducks Unlimited ($705,000), Heart of Illinois United Way ($201,000), Easterseals of Central Illinois ($167,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AFRICAN AMERICAN HALL OF FAME MUSEUM PEORIA, IL | AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND ADVANCEMENT | $2,000 |
| ALLENDALE ASSOCIATION LAKE VILLA, IL | ALLENDALE YOUTH BOARD MATCHING DONATION | $15,598 |
| ALLENDALE ASSOCIATION LAKE VILLA, IL | STAR PROGRAM-SHELTER & TRANSITIONAL ADOLESCENT RESOURCES | $12,500 |
| AMERICA'S WATERSHED INITIATIVE ST LOUIS, MO | FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR CHALLENGES TOWARDS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND RIVERS THAT FLOW FROM IT | $25,000 |
| CAMP ONE STEP CHICAGO, IL | TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL AND FUN EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER | $12,500 |
| CARLE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION URBANA, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| CARLE HEALTH CENTER FOR PHILANTHROPY URBANA, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $27,500 |
| BREAKTHROUGH T1D HAGERSTOWN, MD | SPONSORSHIP | $250 |
| DUCKS UNLIMITED MEMPHIS, TN | HABITAT CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION | $705,000 |
| EASTERSEALS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS PEORIA, IL | PROVIDES SERVICES TO ENSURE CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS CAN REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL | $167,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Doug Oberhelman — Retired Chairman and CEO of Caterpillar Inc., where he had a 41-year career. During his tenure as CEO, he led the company through business cycles while implementing cost-efficiencies and reinforcing focus on sustainability and innovation. He has served on numerous boards including the Business Roundtable, National Association of Manufacturers, Wetlands America Trust, Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation, Intersect Illinois, and the Easter Seals Foundation of Central Illinois. He joined the National Leadership Council of America's Watershed Initiative.
Diane Oberhelman — Founder and Chairman of Cullinan Properties, Ltd., a Peoria-based real estate and development firm. She is recognized for her conservation advocacy and commitment to environmental stewardship.
Both Doug and Diane were inducted into the Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame in recognition of their exemplary service and commitment to improving conservation efforts and outdoor recreation opportunities in Illinois.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALLEN D CULLINAN | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| DIANE A OBERHELMAN | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| DOUGLAS R OBERHELMAN | TREASURER | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Doug Oberhelman joined the National Leadership Council of America's Watershed Initiative in 2024. While serving as CEO of Caterpillar, he spearheaded a significant gift for globally significant rivers, including the Mississippi River, which led to the creation of America's Watershed Initiative under The Nature Conservancy.
The Obermans have made substantial matching gifts to community initiatives, including a $1 million matching gift to support wellness center development in the region.
Oberhelmans Give $1 Million Matching Gift - Elmwood Community FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Doug and Diane Oberhelman fund?
The foundation's primary funding interests include: • **Wildlife education and conservation** — including wetlands protection, wildlife habitat restoration and enhancement, and preservation of natural landscapes • **Community development** — supporting regional needs across central Illinois • **Education** — funding educational institutions and programs • **Human services** — including developmental services and community health initiatives
How do I apply for a grant from Doug and Diane Oberhelman?
**Grant Activity:** The foundation made 34 grants in 2024, with recent recipients including: • Heart of Illinois United Way: $201,000 (2024) • Easterseals Central Illinois: $167,500 (2024) • Millikin University: $150,000 (2024) Grant sizes range from approximately $150,000 to $200,000+ for major recipients, with additional grants totaling $770,448 across 20+ other organizations in 2024.
Where does Doug and Diane Oberhelman make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations and initiatives in Illinois, with particular emphasis on central Illinois communities including Marshall, Peoria, Putnam, Stark, Tazewell, and Woodford counties.
What size grants does Doug and Diane Oberhelman award?
In 2024, Doug and Diane Oberhelman awarded 34 grants totaling $1.6M — an average of about $48K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Doug and Diane Oberhelman's EIN?
Doug and Diane Oberhelman's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 46-1490164. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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