Francis Beidler Foundation
The Francis Beidler Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its 2025 filing reports 94 grants totaling $1,007,500 to organizations including Chicago-area nonprofits and recipients in the District of Columbia and South Carolina.
Francis Beidler Foundation at a glance
In short: Francis Beidler Foundation gave $1.0M across 94 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in Illinois. 3% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,007,500
- +12.4% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 94
- +2.2% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $10,718
- +10.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,500
- Total assets
- $13,800,633
- +35.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 3% first-time grantees (3 of 94, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (58% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Francis Beidler Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s filing says applications must be in writing and include information necessary to evaluate the organization and request. It says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Awards have no stated restrictions, but all donees must be qualifying organizations under IRC Section 170(c). Contact the foundation’s listed application contact, Francis Beidler III.
- Contact
Application contact: Francis Beidler Iii
Mailing address: 53 W Jackson Blvd Suite 530, Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 922-3792
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Francis Beidler Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Voter Participation Center ($285K). Together the top 10 received $623K.
Grant Size Distribution
476 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 464 grants of 476 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 58% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 35% to recipients in the District of Columbia. Smaller shares went to South Carolina (3%), New York (1%), and Florida (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 94 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Francis Beidler Foundation open to new grantees?
3%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 94 grantees (3%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $10K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $4K repeat.
- 97% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+2%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 99% 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 (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $761K (2020) to $1.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 94 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Voter Participation Center Washington, DC | General Support | $285,000 |
| Chicago Youth Centers Chicago, IL | General Support | $77,000 |
| American Independent Foundation Washington, DC | General Support | $50,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Chicago, IL | General Support | $45,000 |
| Chicago Childrens Museum Chicago, IL | General Support | $40,000 |
| Giant Steps IL Burr Ridge, IL | General Support | $30,000 |
| Girls Play Sports Evanston, IL | General Support | $27,000 |
| National Audubon Society Harleyville, SC | General Support | $25,000 |
| Better Government Assoc Chicago, IL | General Support | $23,000 |
| Chapin Hall Center for Children Chicago, IL | General Support | $21,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Francis Beidler 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $13,800,633 | $4,695,846 | $1,076,971 | $1,007,500 | 94 | $1,027,057 | $4,722,631 | $1,035,300 |
| 2024 | $10,181,758 | $-49,389 | $963,519 | $896,000 | 92 | $914,849 | $166,760 | $1,029,150 |
| 2023 | $11,194,723 | $560,291 | $961,747 | $892,000 | 93 | $912,950 | $608,460 | $914,549 |
| 2022 | $11,596,179 | $161,006 | $1,087,088 | $983,000 | 96 | $1,007,023 | $164,795 | $917,116 |
| 2021 | $12,522,261 | $1,278,097 | $893,311 | $781,500 | 101 | $805,001 | $1,272,948 | $1,007,152 |
| 2020 | $12,137,475 | $563,420 | $903,889 | $760,650 | 104 | — | $561,213 | $801,694 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Francis Beidler Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.0M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including children’s services, early learning, health care, food access, civic participation, government oversight, and access to justice. These are grantees’ missions, not stated priorities of the foundation. For example, Chicago Youth Centers says it provides early learning and out-of-school enrichment in under-resourced neighborhoods, while the Public Interest Law Initiative says it works to advance equal access to justice.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 94 grants totaling $1,007,500. Awards ranged from $500 to $285,000, with a median of $3,500. The largest grant was $285,000 to the Voter Participation Center for general support. Other large grants included $77,000 to Chicago Youth Centers, $50,000 to American Independent Foundation, $45,000 to Planned Parenthood in Chicago, and $40,000 to Chicago Children’s Museum; each was listed for general support.
Other 2025 recipients included Chapin Hall Center for Children ($21,000), Erie Family Health Center ($19,000), Public Interest Law Initiative ($18,000), Project on Government Oversight ($15,000), Start Early ($12,500), and Greater Chicago Food Depository ($12,000). Their stated missions include improving the well-being of children and families through policy research, providing affordable health care, advancing equal access to justice, investigating government misconduct, advancing early learning, and working to end hunger, respectively.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Francis Beidler III, Elizabeth Tisdahl, and Kathy Tisdahl as directors.
Francis Beidler Foundation's 2025 filing lists 3 officers; all 3 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elizabeth Tisdahl
Director
Officer → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$3K (2020) → $3K (2025)
Francis Beidler III
Director
Officer → Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$3K (2020) → $3K (2025)
Kathy Tisdahl
Director
Officer → Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$3K (2024) → $3K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Thomas B. Dorris (2020–2023) — Officer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $3K, to Francis Beidler III (Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Francis Beidler Foundation
How much does Francis Beidler Foundation give each year?
Francis Beidler Foundation gave $1.0M across 94 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $896K across 92 grants.
What is Francis Beidler Foundation's typical grant size?
Francis Beidler Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,500, and its average grant was $10,718, across 94 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Francis Beidler Foundation that year got $20K on average.
Where does Francis Beidler Foundation give grants?
Francis Beidler Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 58% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was District of Columbia (35%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (41 grants), Evanston, IL (28 grants), Washington, DC (6 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Francis Beidler Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Francis Beidler Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (94 of 94) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Francis Beidler Foundation's largest grantees?
Francis Beidler Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Voter Participation Center ($285,000), Chicago Youth Centers ($77,000) and American Independent Foundation ($50,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Francis Beidler Foundation?
Francis Beidler Foundation reported $13.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.0M (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 Francis Beidler Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2025 grants went to organizations working in areas including children’s services, early learning, health care, food access, civic participation, government oversight, and access to justice. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Francis Beidler Foundation?
The foundation’s filing says applications must be in writing and include information necessary to evaluate the organization and request. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS September 28, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 4, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Francis Beidler Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Helen V Brach Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Helen V Brach Foundation funds education, animal and child welfare, and charitable, literary, arts, religious, and scientific purposes; its 2025 filings report 553 grants totaling about $5.9 million, but no typical award size is given. Recent filings show grants went to Illinois, including Chicago. It accepts requests from organizations not preselected for funding; an application form is available upon request, and applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations.
Assets
$128.9M
Grants
1
Total Given
$6.8M
AbbVie Foundation
North Chicago, IL
The AbbVie Foundation funds health equity, access to care, cancer care, community health, and related community-led programs through partnerships and employee initiatives. Its 2025 grants ranged from $8,000 to $15 million, with a median of $25,000; it supports work worldwide, with the largest share of recent grants going to Illinois. It makes grants only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$265.6M
Grants
65
Total Given
$47.1M
Elizabeth Beidler Tisdahl Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Elizabeth Beidler Tisdahl Foundation supports a range of charitable services and programs, including health care, youth and family services, education, animal welfare, sports, and the arts. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $21,000, with a median of $2,000, and went primarily to Illinois organizations. The 2024 filing says it accepts written applications and does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$1.7M
Grants
40
Total Given
$160K
Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation supports Illinois nonprofits in areas including theatre, medicine, homelessness services, education, music, science and technology education, and community development. In 2025, grants ranged from $1,500 to $225,000, with a median of $15,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$14.5M
Grants
97
Total Given
$2.7M
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
Chicago, IL
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago funds nonprofits addressing basic needs and community priorities such as health care, housing, food assistance, early learning, workforce development, and legal services across greater Chicago, including targeted support for Chicago’s South and West Sides and south suburbs. In 2025, grants ranged from about $5,000 to $2 million, with a median of $25,000. The stated 2026 Impact Grants process was limited to current partners, and the BridgeBuilders application was closed; no open unsolicited application process is stated.
Assets
$48.8M
Grants
331
Total Given
$22.8M
The Kellcie Fund
Chicago, IL
The Kellcie Fund supports organizations serving charitable, educational, or scientific purposes, with grants spanning health care, education, media, community development, and other areas. Its 2025 grants ranged from $250 to $50,000, with a $1,000 median, and mostly went to Illinois, Missouri, and Washington, DC. It accepts requests by letter, with no deadline; eligible organizations must qualify under IRC Section 170(c).
Assets
$10.4M
Grants
94
Total Given
$390K
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Francis Beidler Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/francis-beidler-foundation-morg_b0113e4b609540d5949ed3d8a3304c94
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364260449_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Francis Beidler Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/francis-beidler-foundation-morg_b0113e4b609540d5949ed3d8a3304c94},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 Francis Beidler 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.
Francis Beidler Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?