Dunham Foundation
The Dunham Foundation is a private foundation based in Aurora, Illinois. It supports projects and programs in education, economic growth, and community that create measurable and lasting impact in its service area.
Dunham Foundation at a glance
In short: Dunham Foundation gave $3.4M across 45 grants in 2024 (avg $76K), mostly in Illinois. 38% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,419,443
- +4.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 45
- +15.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $75,988
- -9.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $86,718,455
- +5.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 38% first-time grantees (17 of 45, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Dunham Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit an online application. The Foundation recommends discussing a request with its Program Director before applying. For education requests supporting programming for children from birth through high school, the website specifies a February 1 deadline; the 2026 deadline has passed. Sponsorship requests are accepted on a rolling basis, with the Foundation recommending submission at least 60 days before the event. Capacity-building grants support nonprofit fundraising and resource-development work, with awards of up to $5,000.
- Review Cycle
- The website identifies October 1 as the final day to submit applications for consideration in the current calendar year; applications submitted after that date are reviewed the following year. The October 1, 2026 deadline has passed.
- Deadline
- The website identifies October 1 as the final day to submit applications for consideration in the current calendar…
- Contact
Application contact: Dunham Foundation
Mailing address: 2112 W Galena Blvd Suite 8 466, Aurora, IL 60506
Phone: (630) 844-2774
Email: info@dunhamfoundation.org
Website: https://dunhamfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Dunham Foundation
Dunham Foundation Capacity Building Grant
Dunham Foundation
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Dunham Foundation Education Grant
Dunham Foundation
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Dunham Foundation General Grants (Requests that are $50,000 or less)
Dunham Foundation
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Dunham Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Wong Foundation ($673K). Together the top 10 received $2.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
169 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 96 grants of 169 (57%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s service area is the Aurora area, in portions of Kane, DuPage, and Kendall counties. It describes the area as bounded by Illinois Route 38 to the north, U.S. Route 34 to the south, Illinois Route 59 to the east, and Illinois Route 47 to the west. In 2024, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 45 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Dunham Foundation open to new grantees?
38%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 17 of 45 grantees (38%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $62K; repeat grants $84K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $18K repeat.
- 42% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−11%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 80% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.3M (2023) to $3.9M (2021). In 2024 it made 45 grants totaling $3.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Wong Foundation Naperville, IL | Program Support | $673,000 |
| Community Foundation of Fox River V Aurora, IL | Program Support | $545,675 |
| Quad County Urban League Aurora, IL | Program Support | $350,000 |
| Paramount Arts Centre Aurora, IL | Program Support | $250,000 |
| LCFS of Illinois Oakbrook Terrace, IL | Program Support | $226,000 |
| Wayside Cross Ministries Aurora, IL | Program Support | $210,000 |
| Forefront Chicago, IL | Program Support | $208,068 |
| Women's Business Development Center Chicago, IL | Program Support | $150,000 |
| Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry Aurora, IL | Program Support | $100,000 |
| Dominican Literacy Center Aurora, IL | Program Support | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Dunham Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $86,718,455 | $8,976,226 | $5,078,676 | $3,419,443 | 45 | $4,280,850 | $8,435,489 | $5,327,973 |
| 2023 | $82,469,697 | $3,287,010 | $5,000,810 | $3,284,486 | 39 | $4,093,928 | $2,783,295 | $4,881,949 |
| 2022 | $84,310,565 | $1,289,627 | $5,010,506 | $3,615,021 | 38 | $4,520,023 | $2,155,863 | $4,959,561 |
| 2021 | $88,213,203 | $9,440,532 | $5,334,439 | $3,856,960 | 47 | $4,699,299 | $8,962,988 | $5,367,476 |
| 2020 | $83,843,793 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Dunham Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.3M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission is to make the world “a more comfortable, safer place for mankind to live and prosper.” Its stated funding areas are education, economic growth, and community. The Foundation describes education as including early care and educational opportunities; economic growth as investing in skills and economic opportunity; and community as supporting equitable access to healthcare, cultural and economic opportunities, and human services.
Its 2024 grants included organizations whose missions illustrate a range of work. Quad County Urban League says it works to secure equal opportunities for disadvantaged people and people of color and to advance residents’ social and economic growth. Paramount Arts Centre says it makes performing arts accessible across ages and socioeconomic backgrounds and contributes to downtown Aurora’s future stability and growth. Women’s Business Development Center says it supports business development and growth to strengthen business owners’ participation in the economy. Mutual Ground says it provides a safe environment and services for people affected by domestic violence, sexual violence, and substance use.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the Foundation reported 45 grants totaling $3,419,443. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $673,000, with a median of $10,000. Its largest listed awards included $673,000 to The Wong Foundation, $545,675 to Community Foundation of Fox River Valley, $350,000 to Quad County Urban League, and $250,000 to Paramount Arts Centre. Each was designated for program support.
The Foundation accepts online applications and says it does not limit giving to preselected organizations. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, or apply through a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor, align with its mission and priority areas, and provide services in its service area. Requests over $50,000 have two submission cycles, with deadlines of February 1 and June 1; both 2026 dates have passed. Requests of $50,000 or less are accepted online at any time during the calendar year. The Foundation says awards are ordinarily limited to $1 million.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Vicki Morcos as President and CEO; Robert Vaughan as Chairman; Theodia Gillespie as Treasurer/Vice Chair; Ryan Maley as Secretary; and Stewart Beach, Michael Morcos, Mark Truemper, and Michele Bruno as directors.
Dunham Foundation is led by Vicki Morcos, President & CEO on every filing since 2020; all 8 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Vicki Morcos
President & CEO
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$200K (2021) → $219K (2024)
Robert Vaughan
Chairman
Secretary → Vice Chair & Treasurer, 2021
Vice Chair & Treasurer → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$36K (2021) → $46K (2024)
Mark Truemper
Director
Vice Chair → Chairman, 2021
Chairman → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$42K (2021) → $28K (2024)
Michael Morcos
Director
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$24K (2021) → $28K (2024)
Stewart Beach
Director
Chairman → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
4 hrs/week
$26K (2021) → $28K (2024)
Michele Bruno
Director
New on the 2024 filing
4 hrs/week
$5K (2024)
Ryan Maley
Secretary
Director → Vice President, 2023
Vice President → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$23K (2021) → $34K (2024)
Theodia Gillespie
Treasurer & Vice Chair
Director → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Treasurer & Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$30K (2021) → $40K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Wendy Hirsch (2020–2023) — Former Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $219K, to Vicki Morcos (President & CEO). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Dunham Foundation
How much does Dunham Foundation give each year?
Dunham Foundation gave $3.4M across 45 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.3M across 39 grants.
What is Dunham Foundation's typical grant size?
Dunham Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $75,988, across 45 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Dunham Foundation that year got $62K on average.
Where does Dunham Foundation give grants?
Dunham Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Aurora, IL (22 grants), Chicago, IL (5 grants), Batavia, IL (4 grants) and Geneva, IL (4 grants).
Does Dunham Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 45 grants with a stated purpose on Dunham Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (45 grants).
Who are Dunham Foundation's largest grantees?
Dunham Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Wong Foundation ($673,000), Community Foundation of Fox River V ($545,675) and Quad County Urban League ($350,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Dunham Foundation?
Dunham Foundation reported $86.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $4.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Dunham Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission is to make the world “a more comfortable, safer place for mankind to live and prosper.” Its stated funding areas are education, economic growth, and community. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Dunham Foundation?
Submit an online application. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Dunham Foundation's EIN?
Dunham Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-2345560. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dunham Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Dunham Fund’s 2020 grants supported education, economic opportunity, and community organizations, with special emphasis on the Aurora area; all reported grants went to Illinois recipients. It made 54 grants totaling $3.7 million, ranging from $1,000 to $1 million, with a median of about $27,000. The fund’s final return directed applicants to its successor, Dunham Foundation, and does not establish a current application route for Dunham Fund.
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—
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Dunham Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/dunham-foundation-morg_cba4849cff424c738b167539c4b69e18
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_842345560_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Dunham Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/dunham-foundation-morg_cba4849cff424c738b167539c4b69e18},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Dunham Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Dunham Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?