H H Harris Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Chicago, IL EIN: 36-2615318 Website

H H Harris Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its 2025 filing reports scholarship grants to individuals and a university.

Key facts about H H Harris Foundation

In short: H H Harris Foundation gave $80K across 24 grants in 2025 (avg $3K), top state Illinois. 58% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
36-2615318
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$80,000
Grants made (2025)
24
Average grant
$3,333
Median grant
$3,000
New grantees (estimate)
58% first-time grantees (14 of 24, 2025)
Total assets
$1,537,045
Primary geography
Illinois (23% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
How to apply
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Full details ↓
Deadline
May 31 of the current year.

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$1.5M

-3.0% YoY

Annual Giving

$80K

-17.9% YoY

Grant Count

24

-22.6% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$3K

+6.0% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, H H Harris Foundation reported a distributable amount of $115K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

Is H H Harris Foundation open to new grantees?

58%

first-time grantees, 2025

In 2025, 14 of 24 grantees (58%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $2K; repeat grants $5K. How we count

Medians: $3K first-time, $3K repeat.

  • 38% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • Giving grew 20% from 2022 to 2025. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out 118% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Grantmaking

In filing year 2025, the foundation made 24 grants totaling $80,000. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $15,000, with a median of $3,000. The largest listed grant was $15,000 to Scholarships University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois, for scholarships. Other listed recipients included Chase Schroeder ($5,000), Christopher Annear ($5,000), and Willem Potter ($5,000); each grant was for scholarships.

Review Cycle

May 31 of the current year.

How to Apply

The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applicants should download an application, submit it signed and fully completed, and include two required reference letters. The applicant should be a United States citizen.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with H H Harris Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The largest shares were in Illinois (22%), Iowa (15%), Pennsylvania (11%), Missouri (10%), and Wisconsin (10%).

Grant Distribution by State

25states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 24 itemized grants.

Cities

Cedar FallsChampaignCedar RapidsNevadaSchaumburgWashingtonFredoniaHaysState CollegeWaterlooCookevilleHoly CrossLititzMesaMount PleasantPhoenixQuarryvilleRestonRichmond HillSaginaw

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$50K$100K$150K30 grants2021 22 grants2022 38 grants2023 31 grants2024 24 grants2025

From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $67K (2022) to $109K (2023). In 2025 it made 24 grants totaling $80K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Scholarships University of IL: $15KScholarships University of IL$15KChase Schroeder: $5KChase Schroeder$5KChristopher Annear: $5KChristopher Annear$5KWillem Potter: $5KWillem Potter$5KKevin Caballero: $4KKevin Caballero$4KMiaya Chesterman: $4KMiaya Chesterman$4KBethany Gansemer: $4KBethany Gansemer$4KIsaac Simpson: $4KIsaac Simpson$4KAustin David Frazier: $3KAustin David Frazier$3KBo Wallace: $3KBo Wallace$3K

The largest 2025 recipient was Scholarships University of IL ($15K). Together the top 10 received $52K.

Grant Size Distribution

145 grants across all recorded years

145<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 145 grants of 145 (100%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Scholarships University of IL Champaign, ILScholarship$15,000
Chase Schroeder Washington, MOScholarship$5,000
Christopher Annear Eire, PAScholarship$5,000
Willem Potter Nevada, IAScholarship$5,000
Kevin Caballero Knoxville, TNScholarship$4,000
Miaya Chesterman Black River Falls, WIScholarship$4,000
Bethany Gansemer Tampa, FLScholarship$4,000
Isaac Simpson Cedar Falls, IAScholarship$4,000
Austin David Frazier Thayer, KSScholarship$3,000
Bo Wallace Schaumburg, ILScholarship$3,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants
2025 $1,537,045 $146,665 $193,775 $80,000
2024 $1,584,155 $154,117 $203,186 $97,500
2023 $1,633,224 $93,385 $200,552 $109,000
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$100K$200K$300K2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$1,537,045$1,584,155$1,633,224
Revenue$146,665$154,117$93,385
Expenses$193,775$203,186$200,552
Qualifying Distributions$135,200$156,056$164,887
Net Investment Income$112,415$120,063$60,154
Distributable Amount$114,911$110,545$109,417

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists James Lytle, American Foundry Society, and Carolyn Merritt as members, and Charles L Michod Jr as trustee.

H H Harris Foundation's 2025 filing lists 4 officers; all 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Charles L. Michod Jr.

    Trustee

    On filings since 2021

    30 hrs/week

    $70K (2021) → $70K (2025)

  • American Foundry Society

    Member

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    $3K (2021) → $3K (2025)

  • Carolyn Merritt

    Member

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    $3K (2021) → $3K (2025)

  • James Lytle

    Member

    On filings since 2021

    1 hr/week

    $3K (2021) → $3K (2025)

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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

Charles L Michod Jr — Trustee: $70KCharles L Michod JrTrustee$70KJames Lytle — Member: $3KJames LytleMember$3KAmerican Foundry Society — Member: $3KAmerican Foundry SocietyMember$3KCarolyn Merritt — Member: $3KCarolyn MerrittMember$3K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $70K, to Charles L Michod Jr (Trustee). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.

Contact

Application contact: Charles L Michod Jr
Mailing address: 225 W Washington St 1300, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 236-6700
Website: https://www.afsinc.org (search for harris foundation)

Frequently asked questions about H H Harris Foundation

How much does H H Harris Foundation give each year?

H H Harris Foundation gave $80K across 24 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $98K across 31 grants.

What is H H Harris Foundation's typical grant size?

H H Harris Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $3,000, and its average grant was $3,333, across 24 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from H H Harris Foundation that year got $2K on average.

Where does H H Harris Foundation give grants?

H H Harris Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 23% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Iowa (15%) and Pennsylvania (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cedar Falls, IA (2 grants).

Does H H Harris Foundation give general operating support?

Not in 2025: none of the 24 grants with a stated purpose on H H Harris Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (24 grants).

Who are H H Harris Foundation's largest grantees?

H H Harris Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Scholarships University of IL ($15,000), Chase Schroeder ($5,000) and Christopher Annear ($5,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 31% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is H H Harris Foundation?

H H Harris Foundation reported $1.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $135K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $115K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

How do I apply for a grant from H H Harris Foundation?

The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑

What is H H Harris Foundation's EIN?

H H Harris Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-2615318. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.

Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching H H Harris Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in H H Harris Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Similar funders in Illinois

The Chicago Community Trust

Chicago, IL

The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$7.1B

Grants

4,316

Total Given

$1.2B

The Allstate Foundation

Northbrook, IL

The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.

Assets

$89.3M

Grants

2,010

Total Given

$38.0M

Elks National Foundation Inc

Chicago, IL

The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans services, disaster relief, and community projects, primarily through Elks Lodges and state associations in communities across the United States where Elks live and work. Its 2025 grants had a median of $8,500, though amounts varied widely; the listed Beacon and Freedom Grants are limited to Elks Lodges. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$954.1M

Grants

1,536

Total Given

$36.5M

John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation

Chicago, IL

The MacArthur Foundation funds work advancing a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, including climate solutions, criminal justice, journalism, technology, and Chicago. In 2024, its grants had a median of $160,000, though awards ranged widely; it generally does not accept unsolicited requests, with possible exceptions for specific open calls or proposals that meet program guidelines.

Assets

$9.3B

Grants

1,086

Total Given

$356.1M

Arie and Ida Crown Memorial

Chicago, IL

Arie and Ida Crown Memorial supports a broad range of organizations, including education, Jewish organizations, and community foundations. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000; 55% of grant dollars went to Illinois, with additional funding in New York, Washington, DC, California, and Minnesota. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Assets

$1.4B

Grants

897

Total Given

$115.2M

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago

Chicago, IL

The Federation supports social services, Jewish education and community programs, and crisis response in Chicago and beyond, including Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. In 2025 it made 896 grants, with a median grant of about $20,000; 85% of grant dollars went to Illinois recipients. The profile does not state whether the Federation accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.1B

Grants

896

Total Given

$166.6M

Polk Bros Foundation Inc

Chicago, IL

Polk Bros Foundation funds community-driven Chicago nonprofits working to close the life expectancy gap, build community wealth, and foster participatory, multiracial democracy. Recent grants ranged from $100 to $250,000, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests during its transition period, which ends in fall 2026; it currently offers targeted RFPs.

Assets

$334.3M

Grants

568

Total Given

$19.3M

Circle of Service Foundation

Chicago, IL

The foundation funds community services, education, Jewish community, and medical research, with grantmaking concentrated in Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois, though it also funds organizations elsewhere. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000 and ranged from $50 to about $1.74 million; it accepts unsolicited pre-applications for community services and for Jewish community requests in Cook or Lake County, but not for the other stated categories or out-of-area Jewish community requests.

Assets

$592.0M

Grants

637

Total Given

$37.0M

Ea Mellinger Educational

Monmouth, IL

The foundation primarily funds undergraduate scholarships and makes a small number of educational grants to charitable organizations; in 2025, awards ranged from $183 to $15,000, with a median of $2,100. Scholarships are limited to residents of six Illinois counties, and most grant dollars go to Illinois recipients. It provides an online scholarship application, but whether it accepts unsolicited requests for organizational grants is not stated.

Assets

$25.0M

Grants

582

Total Given

$1.2M

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

National Council of YMCAs of the USA

Chicago, IL

Y-USA funds YMCA and affiliated World Alliance of YMCAs members for youth development, healthy living, social responsibility, and related program support. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,000 to $799,726, with a median of $55,000, and supported organizations across the United States. It states that proposals are evaluated by staff and approved through its International Group process; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.

Human Services

Assets

$260.5M

Grants

540

Total Given

$44.1M

More Funders in Illinois

H H Harris Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?