Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation
The Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation is a private foundation based in La Grange, Illinois. In its 2025 filing, it reported giving $16,000 through 12 grants to charitable organizations.
Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation at a glance
In short: Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation gave $16K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $1K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $16,000
- +220.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- +1100.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,333
- -73.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $101,199
- -1.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (50% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 12 N Kensington Ave, La Grange, IL 60525
Phone: (312) 984-3171
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Chicago Zoological Society Brookfield Zoo ($5K). Together the top 10 received $14K.
Grant Size Distribution
18 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 18 grants of 18 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois (50%), New Jersey (12%), California (12%), Georgia (12%), and Maryland (6%). The listed grants also included a recipient in Oklahoma.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
Cities
How Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation gives
- Giving grew 52% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 81% 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $5K (2024) to $21K (2020). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $16K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Zoological Society Brookfield Zoo Brookfield, IL | To Further Program Services | $5,000 |
| A Meaningful Purpose Egg Harbor Township, NJ | To Further Program Services | $1,000 |
| Blue Man Dog Burbank, CA | To Further Program Services | $1,000 |
| Cape May County Zoological Society Cape May Court House, NJ | To Further Program Services | $1,000 |
| Cat Nap La Grange Park, IL | To Further Program Services | $1,000 |
| Greene County Habitat for Humanity Greensboro, GA | To Further Program Services | $1,000 |
| Hinsdale Humane Society Hinsdale, IL | To Further Program Services | $1,000 |
| Immune Deficiency Foundation Hanover, MD | To Further Program Services | $1,000 |
| Neighbors Helping Neigbors Greensboro, GA | To Further Program Services | $1,000 |
| Pasadena Playhouse Pasadena, CA | To Further Program Services | $1,000 |
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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 | $101,199 | $17,646 | $19,364 | $16,000 | 12 | $17,590 | $16,171 | $21,601 |
| 2024 | $102,917 | $17,063 | $8,157 | $5,000 | 1 | $6,396 | $15,666 | $19,769 |
| 2023 | $94,011 | $13,225 | $13,279 | $10,500 | 2 | $11,896 | $11,829 | $16,102 |
| 2022 | $94,065 | $4,116 | $13,314 | $10,500 | 2 | $11,735 | $2,896 | $15,991 |
| 2021 | $103,263 | $20,047 | $10,209 | $10,000 | 1 | $10,000 | $20,047 | $17,106 |
| 2020 | $93,425 | $15,035 | $21,738 | $21,250 | 4 | — | $14,792 | $13,502 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation reported a distributable amount of $22K 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
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, the Hinsdale Humane Society says its mission is to prevent animal suffering and neglect and promote compassionate care. Greene County Habitat for Humanity describes its work as providing decent, affordable, and safe housing in partnership with its community and future homeowners. The Immune Deficiency Foundation says it works to improve diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for people affected by primary immunodeficiency through advocacy, education, and research.
Other 2025 grantees describe work in dog-adoption support and training, zoo development, community food assistance, and an organic farm with animal rescue and community programs.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 12 grants totaling $16,000. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $5,000, with a median grant of $1,000. The largest was $5,000 to the Chicago Zoological Society Brookfield Zoo. Other 2025 recipients included A Meaningful Purpose, Blue Man Dog, Cape May County Zoological Society, Greene County Habitat for Humanity, Hinsdale Humane Society, and the Immune Deficiency Foundation, each receiving $1,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Officers and directors listed on the 2025 filing are Gretchen A Trofa, co-president/secretary; Gregory Hess, co-president/treasurer; and directors Kristen Wedel, Jennifer Trofa, Melissa Trofa, Rebecca Bertrando, Joseph Hess, Elizabeth Trofa, William Hess, and Kathryn Hess.
Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation is led by Gregory Hess, Co-President & Treasurer since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 10 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Gregory Hess
Co-President & Treasurer
Co-President & Secretary → Co-President & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gretchen A. Trofa
Co-President & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Trofa
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Hess
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Trofa
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Trofa
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathryn Hess
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kristen Wedel
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rebecca Bertrando
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William Hess
Director
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Kristen Trofa (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Rebecca Trofa (2020–2023) — Director
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.
Frequently asked questions about Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation
How much does Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation give each year?
Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation gave $16K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $5K across 1 grant.
What is Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation's typical grant size?
Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,333, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation give grants?
Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 50% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New Jersey (13%) and California (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Greensboro, GA (2 grants).
Does Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 12 grants with a stated purpose on Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Further Program Services" (12 grants).
Who are Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation's largest grantees?
Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Chicago Zoological Society Brookfield Zoo ($5,000), A Meaningful Purpose ($1,000) and Blue Man Dog ($1,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 44% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation?
Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation reported $101K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $18K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $22K (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 Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. For example, the Hinsdale Humane Society says its mission is to prevent animal suffering and neglect and promote compassionate care. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation's EIN?
Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 43-1986371. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Glen and Vicki Hess Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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 May 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 14, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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