Make It Better Foundation
Make It Better Foundation is a private foundation based in Wilmette, Illinois, established in 2010. The organization identifies, supports, and promotes impactful nonprofits across the United States while building a network of committed philanthropists, social entrepreneurs, and media partners. The foundation accomplishes its work through nonprofit vetting, grant awards, storytelling initiatives, digital collaborations, and creating pathways for donors to support worthy organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$81K
-80.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$988K
+287.5% YoY
Grant Count
73
+563.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
-41.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Identify, support and promote the most impactful nonprofits in their sector, thereby accelerating efforts to make life, and the world, better.
Core Values:
- Effectiveness: Measured by the number of people served and lives made better, program outcomes, development of self-sufficiency and breaking the cycle of dependency
- Efficiency: Emphasized by collaboration and cost effectiveness
- Leadership: Focusing on full board participation, diversity, fulfillment of mission statement, using calculated risks to overcome challenges and improve outcomes
- Scalability: Prioritizing the ability to increase funds independent of government funding proportionate to increased programs and services, with the potential to replicate in another regional area
- Excellence: Committing to best possible services delivered with integrity and transparency
Primary Program: Warming Hearts & Hands program
Funding Focus Areas: Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services
Grantmaking
Grant Range
** $1,000 to $125,000
Grant Types
How to Apply
** Nominations for Philanthropy Awards are accepted during specified periods, typically in the month of [month not specified in sources]. The foundation reviews requests for support against its stated mission.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations primarily in:
- Illinois
- California
- District of Columbia
- Additional states including Texas and Florida
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $80,726
- Total Revenue: $3,015,762
- Total Expenses: $1,826,253
- Total Giving: $988,150–$1,814,253
- Expense Ratio: 67.3%
Staff: 4–11 employees
IRS Status: 501(c)(3) private foundation; tax-exempt since June 2010
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $80,726 | $413,795 | $112,482 |
| Revenue | $3,015,762 | $920,131 | $613,129 |
| Expenses | $1,826,253 | $618,818 | $511,059 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,814,253 | $618,818 | $511,059 |
| Net Investment Income | $935,902 | — | $2 |
| Distributable Amount | — | $8,059 | $2,162 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
109 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Red Cross ($125,000), Nurse Family Partnership ($100,000), Nurse Family Partnership wire not showing up in gl ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| American Red Cross Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $125,000 |
| American Red Cross Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| American Red Cross Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $5,181 |
| American Red Cross (EOY 2023) Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $5,125 |
| Anera Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Anera Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $5,163 |
| Art Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Melinda Fauntleroy – President (1 hour/week, unpaid)
- Sharon P. Krone – COO/Secretary/Treasurer (40 hours/week, $75,000 annual compensation)
- Brooke Geiger – Editor in Chief (40 hours/week, $85,000 annual compensation)
- Michelle Walby – Executive/Personal Assistant (40 hours/week, $90,000 annual compensation)
- Jennifer Woolford – Senior Director, Major Partnerships (40 hours/week, $68,000 annual compensation)
- Kathy Roeser – Director (1 hour/week, unpaid)
- Sandra Tsuchida – Director (1 hour/week, unpaid)
- Susan Noyes – Director and Founder (1 hour/week, unpaid)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Recent grant recipients and award winners include:
2Blades Awarded $25,000 Make it Better Foundation Grant \u2014 2Blades2Blades (awarded $25,000 grant)
2Blades Awarded $25,000 Make it Better Foundation Grant \u2014 2BladesA Safe Haven Foundation (2026 Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award recipient)
2Blades Awarded $25,000 Make it Better Foundation Grant \u2014 2BladesCinema Chicago (2026 Make It Better Foundation Philanthropy Award recipient)
2Blades Awarded $25,000 Make it Better Foundation Grant \u2014 2BladesThe foundation continues to accept applications and actively awards grants to nonprofits aligned with its mission across multiple states.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Make It Better Foundation fund?
**Mission:** Identify, support and promote the most impactful nonprofits in their sector, thereby accelerating efforts to make life, and the world, better. **Core Values:** • **Effectiveness:** Measured by the number of people served and lives made better, program outcomes, development of self-sufficiency and breaking the cycle of dependency • **Efficiency:** Emphasized by collaboration and cost effectiveness • **Leadership:** Focusing on full board participation, diversity, fulfillment of miss…
How do I apply for a grant from Make It Better Foundation?
**Grant Range:** $1,000 to $125,000 **Median Grant Amount:** Approximately $5,100–$13,932 **Recent Grant Activity (2024):** • Association of American Red Cross Retirees: $125,000 (Unrestricted Charitable Donation) • The National Service Office for Nurse-Family Partnership and Child First (NFP): $100,000 (Unrestricted Charitable Donation) • After School Matters: Grant amount not specified **Total Giving:** $988,150–$1,814,253 (2024) **Number of Grants:** 73–114 grants awarded **Application Proce…
Where does Make It Better Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations primarily in: • Illinois • California • District of Columbia • Additional states including Texas and Florida
What size grants does Make It Better Foundation award?
In 2024, Make It Better Foundation awarded 73 grants totaling $988K — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Make It Better Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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