Finley Barrell
Finley Barrell is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $683K in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 1 grant totaling $37K. Net investment income was $59K.
Finley Barrell at a glance
In short: Finley Barrell gave $37K across 1 grant in 2026 (avg $37K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $36,625
- +8.9% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $36,625
- +8.9% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $36,625
- Total assets
- $683,136
- +2.0% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated November 2026.
Who Finley Barrell funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Lake Forest College ($37K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2026 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How Finley Barrell gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2023 to 2026 (−3%). Method
- In 2026 it paid out 91% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $33K (2024) to $38K (2023). In 2026 it made 1 grant totaling $37K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL | General Support | $36,625 |
Ready to take the next step with Finley Barrell?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $683,136 | $63,357 | $50,273 | $36,625 | 1 | $45,577 | $59,110 | $50,016 |
| 2025 | $669,873 | $44,491 | $47,772 | $33,625 | 1 | $42,644 | $39,633 | $45,644 |
| 2024 | $673,316 | $45,147 | $44,928 | $32,782 | 1 | $40,811 | $41,030 | $41,654 |
| 2023 | $673,142 | $-6,095 | $50,799 | $37,668 | 1 | $45,612 | $20,122 | $40,726 |
| 2022 | $729,758 | $53,980 | $48,795 | $35,228 | 1 | $44,210 | $49,394 | $47,198 |
| 2021 | $724,908 | $33,210 | $45,098 | $33,044 | 1 | — | $29,212 | $42,761 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Finley Barrell reported a distributable amount of $50K for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Finley Barrell's only listed officer is Northern Trust Company, Trustee on every filing since 2021 (compensated).
Officers on the 2026 filing
Northern Trust Company
Trustee
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$9K (2021) → $12K (2026)
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $12K, to Northern Trust Company (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about Finley Barrell
How much does Finley Barrell give each year?
Finley Barrell gave $37K across 1 grant in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $34K across 1 grant.
How large is Finley Barrell?
Finley Barrell reported $683K in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $46K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $50K (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 is Finley Barrell?
Finley Barrell is a private foundation focused on Education, based in Chicago, IL. It holds $683K in total assets as of 2026.
Where does Finley Barrell operate?
Finley Barrell has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is Finley Barrell's EIN?
Finley Barrell's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6025583. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS September 8, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 7, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work Finley Barrell funds
Education Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Innovation Award (Student Competition) $10,000 total scholarship pool ($5,000 first place, $2,500 second place, $1,500 third place, plus $1,000 Realtors' Choice Award) · Due November 10, 2026
- Expand Energy STEM Education Fund Grant Up to US $1,000 · Due November 10, 2026
- Scholarship Drawing Due November 10, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Finley Barrell's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common
Tarble Foundation
Los Angeles, CA
Assets
$38.9M
Grants
1
Total Given
$5.0M
Lubetkin Family Foundation
Winnetka, IL
Assets
$765K
Grants
1
Total Given
$138K
Bill Bartholomay Foundation
Chicago, IL
Assets
$16.0M
Grants
1
Total Given
$5K
Barker Mary for R&M Barker FDN2-Tr
Chicago, IL
Assets
$300K
Grants
5
Total Given
$92K
O'C Family Foundation
Itasca, IL
Assets
$2.3M
Grants
6
Total Given
$140K
The Seymour H Knox Foundation Inc
Lancaster, NY
The foundation’s 2021 final return says it was dissolving and transferring its assets, so it should not be treated as an active grantmaker. Its stated interests included charitable, cultural, educational, medical, and other causes, with an emphasis on potential benefits to Western New York; 2021 grants ranged from $500 to $19.64 million, though the largest supported donor-advised funds and the median was $1,000. The filing lists no application form or deadline and does not say whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
—
Grants
15
Total Given
$19.7M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from Finley Barrell'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.
Finley Barrell down — hundreds of funders to go?