Illinois Tool Works Foundation
The Illinois Tool Works Foundation is a private foundation based in Glenview, Illinois. In 2022, it distributed its assets to qualified 501(c)(3) public charities as part of its final year, after its board determined that the foundation should wind up its affairs and dissolve.
Illinois Tool Works Foundation at a glance
In short: Illinois Tool Works Foundation gave $8.7M across 4 grants in 2022 (avg $2.2M), mostly in South Carolina. Source: 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2022)
- $8,667,956
- -8.7% vs 2021
- Grants made (2022)
- 4
- -94.3% vs 2021
- Average grant
- $2,166,989
- +1497.9% vs 2021
- Median grant
- $1,649,041
- Primary geography
- South Carolina (60% of itemized 2022 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2022 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2022; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Illinois Tool Works Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The filing states that applicants should submit a brief letter describing financial need. It lists no restrictions on awards and says the foundation did not restrict giving to preselected organizations.
- Contact
Application contact: Rosemary Matzl
Mailing address: 155 Harlem Ave, Glenview, IL 60025
Phone: (224) 661-7718
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Illinois Tool Works Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2022
The largest 2022 recipient was The Blackbaud Giving Fund ($5.2M). Together the top 4 received $8.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
150 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 109 grants of 150 (73%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2022, 60% of grant dollars went to recipients in South Carolina, 34% to recipients in Illinois, and 6% to recipients in Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2022 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How Illinois Tool Works Foundation gives
- In 2022 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 2020 to 2022, annual grant giving ranged from $7.0M (2020) to $9.5M (2021). In 2022 it made 4 grants totaling $8.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Blackbaud Giving Fund Charleston, SC | Unrestricted - General Use | $5,183,040 |
| United Way of Metro Chicago Inc Chicago, IL | Unrestricted - General Use | $2,801,202 |
| Scholarship America Minneapolis, MN | Unrestricted - General Use | $496,880 |
| National Merit Scholarship Corp Evanston, IL | Unrestricted - General Use | $186,834 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | $8,339,751 | $8,668,374 | $8,667,956 | 4 | $8,667,956 | $87,653 |
| 2021 | $328,623 | $8,500,000 | $9,533,778 | $9,492,832 | 70 | $9,532,642 | $103,795 |
| 2020 | $1,362,401 | $3,535,848 | $6,980,595 | $6,969,579 | 76 | — | $148,220 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Illinois Tool Works Foundation reported a distributable amount of $88K for 2022 — 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. Among its 2022 grantees, the Blackbaud Giving Fund says it administers donations to nonprofit organizations, and National Merit Scholarship Corporation says its mission is to recognize and honor academically talented students through nationwide scholarship programs.
Grantmaking
In 2022, the foundation reported four grants totaling $8,667,956. Individual grants ranged from $186,834 to $5,183,040, with a median of $1,649,041. Its largest grants were $5,183,040 to the Blackbaud Giving Fund, $2,801,202 to United Way of Metro Chicago, $496,880 to Scholarship America, and $186,834 to National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Each was listed as unrestricted for general use. The foundation also made several grants to United Way of Metro Chicago during the year, including a final liquidating distribution of $171,141 on December 5, 2022.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2022 filing lists Katie Lawler as president and Rosemary Matzl as secretary. It lists Michael Larsen, Chris O’Herlihy, E Scott Santi, and Jennifer Schott as directors.
Illinois Tool Works Foundation is led by Katie Lawler, President since 2022 (on filings since 2020); none of the 6 officers listed in 2022 report compensation.
Officers on the 2022 filing
Katie Lawler
President
President* → President, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris O'Herlihy
Director
Director* → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
E. Scott Santi
Director
Director* → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Larsen
Director
Director* → Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Schott
Director
Director* → Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rosemary Matzl
Secretary
Secretary* → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Norman D. Finch Jr. (2020) — Director*
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2022. "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 Illinois Tool Works Foundation
How much does Illinois Tool Works Foundation give each year?
Illinois Tool Works Foundation gave $8.7M across 4 grants in 2022, according to its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2021 it gave $9.5M across 70 grants.
What is Illinois Tool Works Foundation's typical grant size?
Illinois Tool Works Foundation's median grant in 2022 was $1,649,041, and its average grant was $2,166,989, across 4 grants on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Illinois Tool Works Foundation give grants?
Illinois Tool Works Foundation gives mostly in South Carolina: 60% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Illinois (34%) and Minnesota (6%).
Does Illinois Tool Works Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Illinois Tool Works Foundation's 2022 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 4) were for general or operating support, per its 2022 IRS Form 990-PF.
What does Illinois Tool Works Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Illinois Tool Works Foundation?
The filing states that applicants should submit a brief letter describing financial need. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Illinois Tool Works Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2022, Illinois Tool Works Foundation reported a distributable amount of $88K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Illinois Tool Works Foundation's EIN?
Illinois Tool Works Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6087160. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2022.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 28, 2023)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2022
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Figures come from Illinois Tool Works 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.
Illinois Tool Works Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?