Hoffer Foundation
The Hoffer Foundation is a private foundation based in South Elgin, Illinois. Established in 1966, it carries forward the community-service legacy associated with Hoffer Plastics founder Robert Hoffer and says it gives toward education and faith.
Hoffer Foundation at a glance
In short: Hoffer Foundation gave $478K across 25 grants in 2025 (avg $19K), mostly in Illinois. 35% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $477,800
- +9.6% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 25
- +47.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $19,112
- -25.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $6,225,542
- +16.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (8 of 23, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (85% 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 Hoffer Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit a request in writing to Gretchen Hoffer Farb. The Foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. The filing states there are no restrictions on awards.
- Contact
Application contact: Hoffer Foundation
Mailing address: 500 N Collins Street, South Elgin, IL 60177
Phone: (847) 741-5740
Website: https://hofferplastics.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Hoffer Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Judson University ($65K). Together the top 10 received $399K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($20,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
102 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 85 grants of 102 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 85% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 13% to recipients in Wisconsin, and 3% to recipients in Indiana. The percentages are rounded.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Hoffer Foundation open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 23 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. With only 23 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 4 points. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 57% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 34% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 127% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $262K (2020) to $859K (2021). In 2025 it made 25 grants totaling $478K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Judson University Elgin, IL | Improvement of baseball and softball fields as well as technology improvements | $65,000 |
| Fox Valley Christian Action St Charles, IL | Leadership development program for 180 at risk teens. | $65,000 |
| Edwards YMCA Camp East Troy, WI | Camp roofing project; other capital needs; scholarship needs | $60,000 |
| Elgin Community College Foundation Elgin, IL | Scholarship support for tuition books and fees financial assistance for emergency students in crisis plus innovative initiatives for student support. | $50,000 |
| PADS of Elgin Elgin, IL | Funds to support case management services for homeless members of the community. | $40,000 |
| Food For Greater Elgin Elgin, IL | Expand services to the community. | $25,000 |
| Fellowship Housing Corporation Hoffman Estates, IL | Support housing and wrap around service for single mothers and families housing case management financial literacy counseling and basic needs | $22,000 |
| Fellowship Housing Corporation Hoffman Estates, IL | Serve the needs of single mothers and their children who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness | $22,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity Elgin, IL | Help fund building completion for local homes. | $20,000 |
| 1 grant to individuals Recipients not named | — | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Hoffer 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 | $6,225,542 | $1,424,852 | $538,922 | $477,800 | 25 | $526,465 | $1,363,730 | $413,682 |
| 2024 | $5,352,082 | $417,566 | $476,612 | $435,915 | 17 | $476,613 | $376,869 | $405,810 |
| 2023 | $5,407,948 | $42,034 | $678,838 | $618,225 | 20 | $678,838 | $118,687 | $342,883 |
| 2022 | $6,058,760 | $1,389,805 | $767,614 | $722,500 | 17 | $867,613 | $997,494 | $352,840 |
| 2021 | $5,428,385 | $1,211,219 | $901,988 | $859,415 | 23 | — | $645,442 | $329,692 |
| 2020 | $5,121,461 | $136,421 | $294,681 | $261,800 | 17 | — | $194,203 | $290,940 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Hoffer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $414K 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 Foundation says it is driven by a commitment to give toward education and faith. Its 2025 grants included support for scholarships and student services, youth leadership, athletic-field improvements, housing services, food programs, and assistance for people experiencing homelessness.
Among its grantees, Elgin Community College Foundation describes its mission as expanding access to education; PADS of Elgin says it provides shelter, services, and guidance to people and families in need of housing; and Food For Greater Elgin describes its work as providing food security and access to community resources. Fellowship Housing says it supports at-risk single mothers and their children through housing and other services. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own missions.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the Foundation reported 25 grants totaling $477,800. Awards ranged from $300 to $65,000, with a median grant of $15,000.
Among its largest 2025 grants were $65,000 to Judson University for baseball and softball field improvements and technology improvements, and $65,000 to Fox Valley Christian Action for a leadership development program for 180 at-risk teens. Other large awards included $60,000 to Edwards YMCA Camp for roofing, other capital needs, and scholarships; $50,000 to Elgin Community College Foundation for scholarships, emergency student assistance, and student-support initiatives; and $40,000 to PADS of Elgin for case management services for homeless community members. Food For Greater Elgin received $25,000 to expand its services, and Northern Illinois Food Bank received $15,000 for food and backpack programs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The Foundation’s 2025 filing lists William A Hoffer as President, Gretchen Hoffer Farb as Secretary, Mary H Eagin as Treasurer, and Robert Hoffer Jr as Vice President.
Hoffer Foundation is led by William A Hoffer, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
William A Hoffer
President
President & Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gretchen Hoffer Farb
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Hoffer Jr.
Vice President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary H Eagin
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Charlotte Hoffer Canning (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Sara Eagin (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 Hoffer Foundation
How much does Hoffer Foundation give each year?
Hoffer Foundation gave $478K across 25 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $436K across 17 grants.
What is Hoffer Foundation's typical grant size?
Hoffer Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $19,112, across 25 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Hoffer Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does Hoffer Foundation give grants?
Hoffer Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Wisconsin (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Elgin, IL (8 grants), South Elgin, IL (4 grants), St Charles, IL (3 grants) and Geneva, IL (3 grants).
Does Hoffer Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on Hoffer Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Hoffer Foundation's largest grantees?
Hoffer Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Judson University ($65,000), Fox Valley Christian Action ($65,000) and Edwards YMCA Camp ($60,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($20,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 40% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Hoffer Foundation?
Hoffer Foundation reported $6.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $526K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $414K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Hoffer Foundation fund?
The Foundation says it is driven by a commitment to give toward education and faith. Its 2025 grants included support for scholarships and student services, youth leadership, athletic-field improvements, housing services, food programs, and assistance for people experiencing homelessness. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Hoffer Foundation?
Submit a request in writing to Gretchen Hoffer Farb. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Hoffer Foundation's EIN?
Hoffer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6160991. 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 April 25, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS April 28, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 1, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 31, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Hoffer Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Hoffer Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/hoffer-foundation-morg_c7d04ba9dd5c4952ab80bd0b644acf9f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366160991_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Hoffer Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/hoffer-foundation-morg_c7d04ba9dd5c4952ab80bd0b644acf9f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Hoffer 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.
Hoffer Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?