The Francis Beidler Foundation is a private foundation established in 1999 and based in Chicago, Illinois. The foundation operates as an independent grantmaking organization with a focus on supporting nonprofit organizations, particularly in the Chicago area and select other regions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$896K
+0.4% YoY
Grant Count
92
-1.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$10K
+1.5% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary purpose is to provide tax-exempt interest from investment while supporting charitable causes. The foundation gives primarily for human services and maintains interests across multiple sectors including:
- Social services
- Legal assistance
- Human rights
- Health
- Family services
- Environment
- Education
- Community development
- Arts and culture
- Children and youth services, including at-risk youth
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in the Chicago, Illinois area, with additional giving in Illinois, the District of Columbia, and South Carolina.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets: $10,181,758 (2024) / $11,194,723 (2023)
Annual Giving: $896,000 (2024)
Total Revenues: $560,291 (2023)
Total Expenses: $961,747 (2023)
Staffing: 0 employees
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Chicago Youth Centers ($78,500), Chicago Childrens Museum ($40,000), Giant Steps Il ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACLU FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL, RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL OR SCIENTIFIC | $2,500 |
| ACLU-ROGER BALDWIN FOUNDATION CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL, RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL OR SCIENTIFIC | $4,000 |
| ALL OUR CHILDRENS ADVOCACY CENTER JUSTICE, IL | GENERAL, RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL OR SCIENTIFIC | $9,000 |
| ASSOCIATION HOUSE OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL, RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL OR SCIENTIFIC | $1,500 |
| BENS EDUCATION FUND WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL, RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL OR SCIENTIFIC | $2,000 |
| BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOC CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL, RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL OR SCIENTIFIC | $23,000 |
| BOOKS AND BREAKFAST EVANSTON, IL | GENERAL. RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL OR SCIENTIFIC | $500 |
| CABRINI GREEN LEGAL AID FUND CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL, RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL OR SCIENTIFIC | $1,000 |
| CASA CENTRAL CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL, RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL OR SCIENTIFIC | $2,500 |
| CENTER FOR DOMESTIC PEACE CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL, RELIGIOUS, EDUCATIONAL OR SCIENTIFIC | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRANCIS BEIDLER III | OFFICER | 1 | $2,500 |
| ELIZABETH TISDAHL | OFFICER | 1 | $2,500 |
| KATHY TISDAHL | OFFICER | 1 | $2,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has provided renewed support to the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) in recent years, with grants announced in January 2023, July 2023, January 2025, and January 2026.
PILI Receives Renewed Support from Several Foundations - Public InterestSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Francis Beidler Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary purpose is to provide tax-exempt interest from investment while supporting charitable causes. The foundation gives primarily for human services and maintains interests across multiple sectors including: • Social services • Legal assistance • Human rights • Health • Family services • Environment • Education • Community development • Arts and culture • Children and youth services, including at-risk youth
How do I apply for a grant from Francis Beidler Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 107 grants in 2023 • Total giving: $896,000 (2024) • Typical award range: $500–$266,000 **Recent Grant Examples (2023):** • The Voter Participation Center: $265,000 • Chicago Youth Centers: $80,500 • Chicago Children's Museum: $40,000 **Types of Support:** The foundation provides general operating support and project support to grantees.
Where does Francis Beidler Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily supports nonprofit organizations in the Chicago, Illinois area, with additional giving in Illinois, the District of Columbia, and South Carolina.
What size grants does Francis Beidler Foundation award?
In 2024, Francis Beidler Foundation awarded 92 grants totaling $896K — an average of about $10K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Francis Beidler Foundation's EIN?
Francis Beidler Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4260449. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Francis Beidler 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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