John and Betsy McLinden Foundation
John and Betsy McLinden Foundation is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $347K in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 3 grants totaling $40K. Net investment income was $25K.
John and Betsy McLinden Foundation at a glance
In short: John and Betsy McLinden Foundation gave $40K across 3 grants in 2024 (avg $13K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $39,581
- +201.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 3
- -57.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,194
- +602.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $347,012
- -8.8% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
Who John and Betsy McLinden Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Clayco Foundation for Illumination Fundraiser ($24K). Together the top 3 received $40K.
Grant Size Distribution
28 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 28 grants of 28 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How John and Betsy McLinden Foundation gives
- Giving grew 1483% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 219% of 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3K (2021) to $40K (2024). In 2024 it made 3 grants totaling $40K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Clayco Foundation for Illumination Fundraiser Chicago, IL | Charitable | $24,081 |
| Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, IL | Charitable | $15,000 |
| 1916 Redan Foundation Lake Bluff, IL | Charitable | $500 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $347,012 | $34,621 | $49,670 | $39,581 | 3 | $39,581 | $24,532 | $18,076 |
| 2023 | $380,451 | $-3,980 | $22,424 | $13,150 | 7 | $13,150 | — | $15,908 |
| 2022 | $411,045 | $5,512 | $46,597 | $31,353 | 8 | $31,353 | — | $15,615 |
| 2021 | $432,793 | $5,438 | $18,300 | $2,500 | 3 | $2,500 | — | $16,653 |
| 2020 | $448,440 | $5,301 | $38,315 | $21,700 | 7 | — | — | $14,663 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, John and Betsy McLinden Foundation reported a distributable amount of $18K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
John and Betsy McLinden Foundation is led by John T. McLinden, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 4 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
John T. McLinden
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Betsy McLinden
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Caroline M. McBride
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Sara M. McLinden
Vice President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 John and Betsy McLinden Foundation
How much does John and Betsy McLinden Foundation give each year?
John and Betsy McLinden Foundation gave $40K across 3 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $13K across 7 grants.
What is John and Betsy McLinden Foundation's typical grant size?
John and Betsy McLinden Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $13,194, across 3 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does John and Betsy McLinden Foundation give grants?
John and Betsy McLinden Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does John and Betsy McLinden Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 3 grants with a stated purpose on John and Betsy McLinden Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Charitable" (3 grants).
How large is John and Betsy McLinden Foundation?
John and Betsy McLinden Foundation reported $347K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $40K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $18K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is John and Betsy McLinden Foundation's EIN?
John and Betsy McLinden Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2029591. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS June 27, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work John and Betsy McLinden Foundation funds
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Figures come from John and Betsy McLinden 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.
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