Doug and Diane Oberhelman
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.
Key facts about Doug and Diane Oberhelman
- EIN
- 46-1490164
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,631,698
- Grants made (2024)
- 34
- Average grant
- $47,991
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 21% first-time grantees (7 of 33, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (54% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who Doug and Diane Oberhelman funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Doug and Diane Oberhelman's 34 itemized 2024 grants were Illinois (54%) and Tennessee (43%). The most frequent recipient cities were Peoria, IL (11 grants), Urbana, IL (2 grants), Chicago, IL (2 grants) and Lake Villa, IL (2 grants). 6% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Doug and Diane Oberhelman open to new grantees?
21%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 33 grantees (21%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $45K; repeat grants $51K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $9K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Doug and Diane Oberhelman
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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.
Ready to take the next step with Doug and Diane Oberhelman?
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
Share of all 34 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
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 | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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 recipients include Ducks Unlimited ($705,000), Heart of Illinois United Way ($201,000), Easterseals of Central Illinois ($167,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DUCKS UNLIMITED Memphis, TN | HABITAT CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION | $705,000 |
| HEART OF ILLINOIS UNITED WAY Peoria, IL | MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS IN MARSHALL, PEORIA, PUTNAM, STARK, TAZEWELL & WOODFORD COUNTIES IN ILLINOIS | $201,000 |
| EASTERSEALS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS Peoria, IL | PROVIDES SERVICES TO ENSURE CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS CAN REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL | $167,500 |
| MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY Decatur, IL | OFFER AN EDUCATION THAT INTEGRATES THE LIBERAL AND PRACTICAL ARTS OF THE PROFESSIONS | $150,000 |
| OAK RIDGE OUTDOOR FOUNDATION Tremont, IL | MATCHING GRANT FOR SPORTING CLAYS COURSE AUTOMATION | $75,000 |
| PEORIA RIVERFRONT MUSEUM Peoria, IL | CONNECTING ART, HISTORY, SCIENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMS | $75,000 |
| CARLE HEALTH CENTER FOR PHILANTHROPY Urbana, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $27,500 |
| AMERICA'S WATERSHED INITIATIVE St Louis, MO | FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR CHALLENGES TOWARDS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND RIVERS THAT FLOW FROM IT | $25,000 |
| CARLE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION Urbana, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| START EARLY Chicago, IL | TO ADVANCE EARLY LEARNING FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN TO CLOSE THE OPPORTUNITY GAP | $25,000 |
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
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS 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 September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.