Hamill Family Foundation
The Hamill Family Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation established in 1963 by the Hamill family. Based in Chicago, Illinois, the foundation operates as a family foundation with over 60 years of philanthropic activity. The foundation is currently operated by Jonathan C. Hamill and his sisters, Elizabeth Bramsen and Nancy Hamill Winter, children of Joan and Corwith "Corky" Hamill.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$50.2M
+557.8% YoY
Grant Count
132
-0.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$380K
+562.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation gives primarily for environmental conservation and animal welfare, with additional support for education, the arts, and health and human services.
The foundation honors the legacy of Corwith "Corky" Hamill, who served as President of the Chicago Zoological Society from 1975-1981, and Joan Birnie Hamill, who was instrumental in creating the Illinois Prairie Path.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and does not maintain a website.
Grant Range
$25,000 to $1.5 million
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation gives primarily in Illinois, with particular focus on the Chicago area. The foundation also makes select grants to organizations outside Illinois, such as the Teton Regional Land Trust (Wyoming/Idaho).
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $43,947,391
- Annual giving: $7,630,230
- Total revenue: $4,941,411
- Total expenses: $7,746,017
As of 2024:
- Revenue: $4.65 million
- Expenses: $50.3 million
Tax-Exempt Status: Tax-exempt since February 1965 (EIN: 36-6096808)
| 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 Environmental Law & Policy Center ($1,050,000), Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund ($322,965), Field Museum of Natural History ($166,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Adirondack Council Elizabethtown, NY | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| African Wildlife Foundation Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| American Bird Conservancy The Plains, VA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| American Farmland Trust Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| American Horse Trials Foundation Inc Southwick, MA | Unrestricted | $35,000 |
| American Rivers Inc Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Balanced Rock Foundation El Portal, CA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Barrington Area Community Foundation Barrington, IL | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Barrington Area Community Foundation Barrington, IL | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Barrington Area Conservation Trust Barrington, IL | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Jonathan C. Hamill – Director, President, Chairman
- Elizabeth C. Bramsen – Director, Vice President, Secretary
- Nancy CH Winter – Director, Vice President, Treasurer
Jonathan C. Hamill is a veteran Chicago investor and co-founder of Segall Bryant & Hamill, a Chicago-based investment firm established in 1994.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonathan Hamill | Director, Pres, Chrmn | 1 | — |
| Elizabeth C Bramsen | Director, VP, Sec | 1 | — |
| Nancy CH Winter | Director, VP, Treas | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made recent grants to organizations including Amazing Place, which received a $3 million gift for a new campus in Katy. The foundation has also participated in funding initiatives such as Partners for Places, awarding grants to multiple communities for sustainability funding.
Hamill Family Foundation - Grant Information & Application ...Frequently Asked Questions
What does Hamill Family Foundation fund?
The foundation gives primarily for environmental conservation and animal welfare, with additional support for education, the arts, and health and human services. The foundation honors the legacy of Corwith "Corky" Hamill, who served as President of the Chicago Zoological Society from 1975-1981, and Joan Birnie Hamill, who was instrumental in creating the Illinois Prairie Path.
How do I apply for a grant from Hamill Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: $7.6-$7.8 million (2023-2024) • Total grants awarded: 129-131 grants annually • Grant range: $25,000 to $1.5 million • Median grant amount: $196,000 • Giving rate: 17.5% **Grant Programs:** • Unrestricted grants (general purpose) • Whooping Crane Conservation • Veterinary Services Program • Strategic Initiatives, Education and Community Outreach • Administrative Cost Offset • Nature for All Endowment **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept un…
Where does Hamill Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation gives primarily in Illinois, with particular focus on the Chicago area. The foundation also makes select grants to organizations outside Illinois, such as the Teton Regional Land Trust (Wyoming/Idaho).
What size grants does Hamill Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Hamill Family Foundation awarded 132 grants totaling $50.2M — an average of about $380K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Hamill Family Foundation's EIN?
Hamill Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6096808. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Hamill Family 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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