There are multiple organizations operating under the "MAKO Foundation" name. The primary funder profiled here is the **Mako Foundation** based in Chicago, Illinois (EIN: 30-0286945), a private grantmaking foundation established in 2005. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization focused on philanthropic giving across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.8M
+23.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$384K
+20.9% YoY
Grant Count
58
+31.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$7K
-8.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mako Foundation reported a distributable amount of $252K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Mako Foundation's grantmaking priorities include:
- Education
- Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking
- Human Services
- Renewable Energy
- Community and School Gardens
- Environmental Education
- Garden initiatives for nonprofits
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary funding regions include New York, Massachusetts, and California.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Total Assets: $4,794,233
Total Annual Giving: $383,600
Address: 225 W Wacker Dr Ste 2150, Chicago, IL 60606
Tax Status: Private Grantmaking Foundation (NTEE code T20); required to file Form 990-PF
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,794,233 | $3,880,596 | $4,030,719 |
| Revenue | $1,368,813 | $257,871 | $340,565 |
| Expenses | $460,060 | $408,524 | $531,645 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $383,770 | $323,734 | $440,164 |
| Net Investment Income | $302,090 | $201,568 | $257,278 |
| Distributable Amount | $251,922 | $198,993 | $218,473 |
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
241 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include International Medical Corps ($25,000), Natural Resources Defense Council ($25,000), Center for Public Interest Research Inc ($20,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALLIANCE FOR JUSTICE WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT/ANNUAL GIFT | $5,000 |
| ASSOCIATION FOR MACULAR DISEASES YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT/ANNUAL GIFT | $10,000 |
| BARD COLLEGE - BARD PRISON INITIATIVE ANNANDALE, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT/ANNUAL GIFT | $10,000 |
| BARDAVON 1869 OPERA HOUSE POUGHKEEPSIE, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT/ANNUAL GIFT | $1,000 |
| BLACK FARMER FUND YORK, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT/ANNUAL GIFT | $15,000 |
| BUCKLEY COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL ROSLYN, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT/ANNUAL GIFT | $250 |
| CAMP NEBAGAMON NEBAGAMON, WI | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT/ANNUAL GIFT | $5,000 |
| CATSKILL ANIMAL SANCTUARY SAUGERTIES, NY | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT/ANNUAL GIFT | $2,000 |
| CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEGRITY WASHINGTON, DC | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT/ANNUAL GIFT | $10,000 |
| CENTER FOR PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH INC BOSTON, MA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT/ANNUAL GIFT | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS W MEYER | PRESIDENT / DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JULIE STEVENSON | SECRETARY / DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| NANCY MEYER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL C MCQUINN | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| LAUREN K MACDONALD | TREASURER | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mako Foundation fund?
The Mako Foundation's grantmaking priorities include: • Education • Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking • Human Services • Renewable Energy • Community and School Gardens • Environmental Education • Garden initiatives for nonprofits
How do I apply for a grant from Mako Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $100 to $25,000. **Total Giving:** $383,600 in recent annual giving activity. **Geographic Distribution:** The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York, Massachusetts, and California.
Where does Mako Foundation make grants?
Primary funding regions include New York, Massachusetts, and California.
What size grants does Mako Foundation award?
In 2024, Mako Foundation awarded 58 grants totaling $384K — an average of about $7K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Mako Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Mako Foundation reported a distributable amount of $252K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Mako Foundation's EIN?
Mako Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 30-0286945. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mako 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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