The Dunham Foundation is a private foundation based in Aurora, Illinois, established in 1996 by John C. Dunham, founder of the manufacturing company Equipto. The foundation became active in 2007 following John C. Dunham's death in 2006. Originally operating as the Dunham Fund, it converted to a private foundation in 2021. The foundation provides grants to measurably and permanently impact its service area through startup support of new or uniquely enhanced educational and community development programs and capital projects.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$86.7M
+5.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.4M
+4.1% YoY
Grant Count
45
+15.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$76K
-9.8% YoY
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.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to "make the world a more comfortable, safer place for mankind to live and prosper."
The foundation believes in building and maintaining a vibrant community where people have equitable access to healthcare, cultural, and economic opportunities as well as human services so that all neighbors can succeed and thrive.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Arts and Culture
- Community Development
- Economic Development
- Education
- Health and Well Being
- Hunger and Food Insecurity
- Youth Development
Grantmaking
The foundation offers five distinct grant categories, including:
Grant Range
s:**
Average Grant
amount: $84,000
Review Cycle
for larger grants
Grant Types
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Dunham Foundation serves the Aurora, Illinois area, specifically Kane, DuPage, and Kendall counties. Grant distribution by location (2023) shows concentration in:
- Aurora, IL (16 grants)
- Chicago, IL (6 grants)
- Geneva, IL (6 grants)
- Batavia, IL (3 grants)
- Naperville, IL (2 grants)
- Additional grants to Addison, Brookfield, Hinsdale, Romeoville, and St. Charles, IL
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2023):
- Total assets: $82,469,697
- Total revenues: $3,287,010
- Total expenses: $5,000,810
Historical Giving:
- As of 2022 (15-year anniversary): Over $54 million provided in 675 grants to 208 nonprofits
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $86,718,455 | $82,469,697 | $84,310,565 |
| Revenue | $8,976,226 | $3,287,010 | $1,289,627 |
| Expenses | $5,078,676 | $5,000,810 | $5,010,506 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,280,850 | $4,093,928 | $4,520,023 |
| Net Investment Income | $8,435,489 | $2,783,295 | $2,155,863 |
| Distributable Amount | $5,327,973 | $4,881,949 | $4,959,561 |
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
169 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
5 open opportunities from Dunham Foundation
Dunham Foundation Capacity Building Grant
DUNHAM FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Dunham Foundation Education Grant
DUNHAM FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Dunham Foundation General Grants (Requests that are $50,000 or less)
DUNHAM FOUNDATION
Amount
Up to US $50,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include The Wong Foundation ($673,000), Community Foundation of Fox River V ($545,675), Quad County Urban League ($350,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CASA Kane County GENEVA, IL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| Forefront CHICAGO, IL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $208,068 |
| Fox Valley Park Foundation AURORA, IL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| Fox Valley Food For Health GENEVA, IL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| Mutual Ground AURORA, IL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| Women's Business Development Center CHICAGO, IL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $150,000 |
| Paramount Arts Centre AURORA, IL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| Wayside Cross Ministries AURORA, IL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $210,000 |
| Suicide Prevention Services BATAVIA, IL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry Inc AURORA, IL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $60,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Vicki Morcos – President and Chief Executive Officer
- Lindsay Cochrane – Program Director
- Holly Sambucetti – Administration Manager
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| STEWART BEACH | Director | 4 | $27,600 |
| THEODIA GILLESPIE | Treas/Vice Chr | 5 | $39,600 |
| ROBERT VAUGHAN | Chairman | 5 | $45,600 |
| RYAN MALEY | Secretary | 5 | $33,600 |
| MICHAEL MORCOS | Director | 4 | $27,600 |
| MARK TRUEMPER | Director | 4 | $27,600 |
| MICHELE BRUNO | Director | 4 | $5,175 |
| VICKI MORCOS | President & CEO | 40 | $218,834 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2024 Initiative:**
The foundation launched the Ready for the Future Initiative with $2 million in grants to transform education in the Aurora area.
The Neighbor Project in Aurora Receives $2 Million Grant - Dunham Foundation**Recent Major Grants:**
The Neighbor Project in Aurora received a $2 million grant
The Neighbor Project in Aurora Receives $2 Million Grant - Dunham FoundationAurora's Paramount Theatre received a $2.5 million grant
The Neighbor Project in Aurora Receives $2 Million Grant - Dunham FoundationNearly $2 million invested in new education initiatives
Nearly $2M invested in new education initiatives**Historical Impact:**
In 2011, the Dunham Foundation provided funding to the Paramount Arts Centre to develop and launch its Broadway Series, bringing Broadway-caliber theater to Aurora. The series celebrated its 9th season in 2020, bringing more than 30 Broadway musicals to downtown Aurora and supporting local economic growth.
The Neighbor Project in Aurora Receives $2 Million Grant - Dunham FoundationSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
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." The foundation believes in building and maintaining a vibrant community where people have equitable access to healthcare, cultural, and economic opportunities as well as human services so that all neighbors can succeed and thrive. Primary funding focus areas include: • Arts and Culture • Community Development • Economic Development • Education • Health and Well Being • Hunger and Foo…
How do I apply for a grant from Dunham Foundation?
**Grant Activity (2023):** • Total grants awarded: 39-47 grants • Total giving: $3,284,486 • Average grant amount: $84,000 **Grant Types:** The foundation offers five distinct grant categories, including: • Capacity Building Grants (organizational development support) • Sponsorship Requests (support for events and programs) **Grant Ranges:** • Up to $1,000,000 (generally one-year grants) **Decision Timeline:** • 30 days for grants ≤$50,000 • June 30 and October 30 deadlines for larger grants **…
Where does Dunham Foundation make grants?
The Dunham Foundation serves the Aurora, Illinois area, specifically Kane, DuPage, and Kendall counties. Grant distribution by location (2023) shows concentration in: • Aurora, IL (16 grants) • Chicago, IL (6 grants) • Geneva, IL (6 grants) • Batavia, IL (3 grants) • Naperville, IL (2 grants) • Additional grants to Addison, Brookfield, Hinsdale, Romeoville, and St. Charles, IL
What size grants does Dunham Foundation award?
In 2024, Dunham Foundation awarded 45 grants totaling $3.4M — an average of about $76K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Dunham Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Dunham Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5.3M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Dunham 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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