EFS Foundation
EFS Foundation is a private foundation based in Tucson, Arizona. It distributed grants in 2020, then dissolved on October 30, 2020, after which its remaining funds, less expenses, were distributed to qualified charities. It is no longer accepting applications.
EFS Foundation at a glance
In short: EFS Foundation gave $10.4M across 79 grants in 2020 (avg $132K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2020)
- $10,427,142
- Grants made (2020)
- 79
- Average grant
- $131,989
- Median grant
- $120,000
- Primary geography
- Illinois (96% of itemized 2020 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2020 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2020; updated September 2026.
How to apply to EFS Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. It is no longer accepting applications. Its prior process required an application for funding, articles of incorporation, an IRS tax-exempt determination letter, a current board list, the most recent financial statement, IRS Form 990, and the current annual budget. The filing states there were no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- The prior dates were September 30, June 30, and March 31.
- Deadline
- The prior dates were September 30, June 30, and March 31.
- Contact
Application contact: Efs Foundation
Mailing address: 1695 Larkin Avenue, Elgin, IL 60123
Phone: (847) 289-0513
Website: https://www.efsfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who EFS Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2020
The largest 2020 recipient was YMCA Elgin - Golden Corridor Family ($350K). Together the top 10 received $3.0M.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($470,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
79 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 30 grants of 79 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2020, 96% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois; 2% went to recipients in the District of Columbia, 2% to California, and less than 1% to Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2020 grant dollars across all 79 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2020 it made 79 grants totaling $10.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YMCA Elgin - Golden Corridor Family Schaumburg, IL | Donation for Technology | $350,000 |
| YWCA - Elgin Elgin, IL | Help support family literacy program and leader circle luncheon | $301,250 |
| Boys and Girls Club Dundee Carpentersville, IL | Donation | $300,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Elgin Elgin, IL | Donation. Academic Enrichment & School Engagement Program | $300,000 |
| Centro De Informacion Elgin, IL | Donation to Provide Support | $300,000 |
| Community Crisis Center Elgin, IL | Domestic Violence Program | $300,000 |
| Elgin Community College Foundation Elgin, IL | Support Scholarship Program | $300,000 |
| Summit School Elgin, IL | Support technology program for students with significant learning differences | $300,000 |
| Senior Services Associates Inc Elgin, IL | Sponsorship of Annual Event Cheers for Years | $265,000 |
| Salvation Army Hoffmn Estates, IL | Donation | $255,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $243,483 | $10,530,819 | $10,427,142 | 79 | $56,357 | $310,200 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, EFS Foundation reported a distributable amount of $310K for 2020 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission is stated. In the grantees’ own descriptions, Golden Corridor Family YMCA said it works to develop people’s spirit, mind, and body through programs and services; Boys and Girls Club of the (Carpentersville, IL) described its work as recreational and educational programs for at-risk youth; and Elgin Community College Foundation said it seeks to improve access to education and strengthen its community. Summit School described providing a highly individualized, structured setting for students, while Community Crisis Center described advocating for a healthy, non-violent environment and supporting people in crisis.
Grantmaking
In 2020, EFS Foundation made 79 grants totaling $10,427,142. Grants ranged from $2,500 to $350,000, with a median of $120,000. Among the largest were $350,000 to YMCA Elgin - Golden Corridor Family for technology; $301,250 to YWCA - Elgin for its family literacy program and Leader Circle luncheon; and $300,000 each to Boys and Girls Club Dundee, Boys and Girls Club of Elgin, Centro de Informacion, Community Crisis Center, Elgin Community College Foundation, and Summit School.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2020 filing listed Randy W. Brittain as president; Eric J. Fernandez as vice chairman; James J. Kovac as treasurer; Ursula Wilson as past executive director/member; and Thomas I. Anderson, Leo M. Flanagan Jr., Larry M. Narum, Barrett J. O’Connor, Thomas S. Rakow, and Peter A. Traeger as members.
EFS Foundation is led by Erin Vanhoeven, Executive Director on the 2020 filing; 1 of 11 officers listed in 2020 is compensated.
Officers on the 2020 filing
Erin Vanhoeven
Executive Director
New on the 2020 filing
25 hrs/week
$24K (2020)
Randy W. Brittain
President
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Barrett J. O'Connor
Member
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eric J. Fernandez
Vice Chairman
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James J. Kovac
Treasurer
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Larry M. Narum
Member
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leo M. Flanagan Jr.
Member
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Peter A. Traeger
Member
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas I. Anderson
Member
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Thomas S. Rakow
Member
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ursula Wilson
Past Executive Director & Member
New on the 2020 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2020 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2020 filing was $24K, to Erin Vanhoeven (Exec Director).
Frequently asked questions about EFS Foundation
How much does EFS Foundation give each year?
EFS Foundation gave $10.4M across 79 grants in 2020, according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is EFS Foundation's typical grant size?
EFS Foundation's median grant in 2020 was $120,000, and its average grant was $131,989, across 79 grants on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does EFS Foundation give grants?
EFS Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 96% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Elgin, IL (40 grants), Geneva, IL (6 grants), St Charles, IL (4 grants) and Aurora, IL (3 grants).
Does EFS Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2020: none of the 79 grants with a stated purpose on EFS Foundation's 2020 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Donation" (23 grants) and "Support Scholarship Program" (4 grants).
Who are EFS Foundation's largest grantees?
EFS Foundation's largest 2020 grantees include YMCA Elgin - Golden Corridor Family ($350,000), YWCA - Elgin ($301,250) and Boys and Girls Club Dundee ($300,000), according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($470,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 9% of its itemized 2020 grant dollars.
What does EFS Foundation fund?
No foundation mission is stated. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from EFS Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is EFS Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2020, EFS Foundation reported a distributable amount of $310K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is EFS Foundation's EIN?
EFS Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4219647. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020.
Does EFS Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 7, 2021)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2020
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