Make It Better Foundation
Make It Better Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmette, Illinois. It identifies, supports, and promotes impactful nonprofits through grants and awards, nonprofit vetting, storytelling, and digital collaborations that help organizations build support.
Make It Better Foundation at a glance
In short: Make It Better Foundation gave $988K across 73 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), top state Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $988,150
- +287.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 73
- +563.6% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,536
- -41.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,125
- Total assets
- $80,726
- -80.5% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (33% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Make It Better Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation’s filing says applications for the annual Philanthropy Awards competition are available on its website and that nominations are accepted during a specified period, typically in September. The foundation says it reviews requests against its mission and confirms applicants’ 501(c)(3) status in advance. Its website states that, for the 2027 Philanthropy Awards, nonprofits must submit at least one “You Said It” article accepted for publication by Better Magazine by July 15, 2026, and/or be a previous award recipient.
- Review Cycle
- July 15, 2026, for the stated 2027 Awards eligibility route requiring an accepted “You Said It” article.
- Deadline
- July 15, 2026, for the stated 2027 Awards eligibility route requiring an accepted “You Said It” article.
- Contact
Application contact: Mibf Attn Jennifer Woolford
Mailing address: PO Box 751, Wilmette, ID 60091
Phone: (312) 500-2501
Website: https://makeitbetter.net
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Make It Better Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American Red Cross ($131K across 3 grants). Together the top 10 received $511K.
Grant Size Distribution
132 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 128 grants of 132 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois (33%), Colorado (23%), the District of Columbia (19%), California (13%), and Massachusetts (8%). Its filing states that awards are generally made to organizations in the surrounding Chicagoland area within the distribution footprint of its media channels.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 73 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Make It Better 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $21K (2020) to $988K (2024). In 2024 it made 73 grants totaling $988K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Red Cross Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $125,000 |
| Nurse Family Partnership Denver, CO | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $100,000 |
| Nurse Family Partnership wire not showing up in gl Denver, CO | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $100,000 |
| A Safe Haven Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| After School Matters Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association Inc Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Anera Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Athletes Against Anxiety & Depression Westchester, CA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Cinema Chicago Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Make It Better 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $80,726 | $3,015,762 | $1,826,253 | $988,150 | 73 | $1,814,253 | $935,902 | — |
| 2023 | $413,795 | $1,675,584 | $618,818 | $255,000 | 11 | $618,818 | $837,354 | — |
| 2022 | $112,482 | $613,129 | $511,059 | $450,000 | 45 | $511,059 | $2 | $2,162 |
| 2021 | $10,411 | $2 | $16,086 | — | — | $16,086 | $2 | $1,115 |
| 2020 | $26,495 | $71,475 | $47,968 | $20,896 | 3 | — | $1 | $245 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to identify, support, and promote the most impactful nonprofits in their sectors, accelerating efforts to make life and the world better. Its stated values include effectiveness, efficiency, leadership, scalability, and excellence.
Its 2024 grants illustrate support for organizations working in varied areas. For example, After School Matters says it provides Chicago public high school teens with hands-on opportunities to develop talents and skills; Metropolitan Family Services says its mission is to strengthen families and communities; and NAMI Chicago says it educates, advocates, and offers support to people on their mental health journeys. Other 2024 recipients include organizations whose stated missions concern education, employment, humanitarian relief, children’s healthcare, and interfaith leadership.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 73 grants totaling $988,150. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $125,000, with a median of $5,125. The largest listed grants included $125,000 to the American Red Cross and $100,000 to Nurse Family Partnership. Other examples include $25,000 each to After School Matters, Metropolitan Family Services, GOOD JOBS INSTITUTE, KIPP Chicago Schools, and NAMI Chicago; and $20,000 each to World Central Kitchen and Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
The Philanthropy Awards recognize nonprofits at multiple levels and provide unrestricted cash grants and editorial storytelling. The foundation says its judging considers effectiveness, efficiency, leadership, scalability, and excellence. Its website states that 2026 award recipients received cash awards ranging from $10,000 to $125,000, with top recipients receiving support valued at more than $250,000. A “You Said It” submission may also make a nonprofit eligible for a $1,000 donation and a Grant Content Partnership.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Make It Better Foundation is led by Melinda Fauntleroy, President on every filing since 2020; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Melinda Fauntleroy
President
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Roeser
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandra Tsuchida
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Susan Noyes
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sharon P. Krone
COO, Secretary & Treasurer
Secretary & Treasurer → COO, Secretary & Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$21K (2020) → $75K (2024)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $75K, to Sharon P Krone (COO/Secretary/Treasurer).
Frequently asked questions about Make It Better Foundation
How much does Make It Better Foundation give each year?
Make It Better Foundation gave $988K across 73 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $255K across 11 grants.
What is Make It Better Foundation's typical grant size?
Make It Better Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,125, and its average grant was $13,536, across 73 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Make It Better Foundation give grants?
Make It Better Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 33% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Colorado (23%) and District of Columbia (19%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (23 grants), Washington, DC (7 grants), Denver, CO (3 grants) and Santa Monica, CA (3 grants).
Does Make It Better Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Make It Better Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (73 of 73) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Make It Better Foundation's largest grantees?
Make It Better Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include American Red Cross ($131,181 across 3 grants), Nurse Family Partnership ($100,000) and Nurse Family Partnership wire not showing up in gl ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 34% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Make It Better Foundation?
Make It Better Foundation reported $81K in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Its revenue that year was $3.0M.
What does Make It Better Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to identify, support, and promote the most impactful nonprofits in their sectors, accelerating efforts to make life and the world better. Its stated values include effectiveness, efficiency, leadership, scalability, and excellence. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Make It Better Foundation?
The foundation’s filing says applications for the annual Philanthropy Awards competition are available on its website and that nominations are accepted during a specified period, typically in September. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Make It Better Foundation's EIN?
Make It Better Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-0773475. 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. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS March 3, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Make It Better Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Make It Better Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/make-it-better-foundation-morg_2286ecb4d4bf493b8b1e10fdc44de5b5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_270773475_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Make It Better Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/make-it-better-foundation-morg_2286ecb4d4bf493b8b1e10fdc44de5b5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. 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 Make It Better 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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