History of the Heartland
History of the Heartland is a private foundation focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Decatur, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $14K in total assets.
History of the Heartland at a glance
- Total assets
- $14,278
- +20.1% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $8,709
- -17.8% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $6,317
- -6.4% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who History of the Heartland funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
1 grant across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1 grant of 1 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
How History of the Heartland gives
- In 2023 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $350 (2022) to $500 (2024). In 2024 it made 1 grant totaling $500.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| DPS Foundation Decatur, IL | Educational Scholarship | $500 |
Ready to take the next step with History of the Heartland?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $14,278 | $8,709 | $6,317 | — | — | — | — |
| 2024 | $11,886 | $10,596 | $6,746 | $500 | 1 | $500 | — |
| 2023 | $8,036 | $9,829 | $5,789 | — | — | $5,789 | $296 |
| 2022 | $3,996 | $3,153 | $2,399 | $350 | Total only | $4,290 | — |
| 2021 | $3,242 | $3,952 | $1,002 | $362 | Total only | $3,952 | — |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
History of the Heartland is led by Bret Robertson, Chairman on every filing since 2021; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bret Robertson
Chairman
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Bennick
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Owens
Secretary Treasurer
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Brian Sheppard (2021) — Board Member
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.
Frequently asked questions about History of the Heartland
How large is History of the Heartland?
History of the Heartland reported $14K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $9K.
What is History of the Heartland?
History of the Heartland is a private foundation focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Decatur, IL. It holds $14K in total assets as of 2025.
Where does History of the Heartland operate?
History of the Heartland has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is History of the Heartland's EIN?
History of the Heartland's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 84-4241939. 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.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 30, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 29, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 26, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS March 19, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in History of the Heartland'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 eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile 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, and charitable projects through Elks Lodges and state associations across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median size of $10,000, though awards varied widely; the profile describes application routes for specific Lodge and scholarship programs but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
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 education, the environment, health and human services, gun violence prevention, homelessness prevention, and Jewish community and Israel initiatives, with a strong focus on Chicago and giving across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, its grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000. It uses an invitation-only process and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago funds human services, Jewish education and community programs, crisis response, and support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, primarily through Chicago-area agencies and initiatives. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $20,000, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
The filing figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0. About GrantGraph Open
Figures come from History of the Heartland'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.
History of the Heartland down — hundreds of funders to go?