Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation
The Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation was a private foundation based in Wilmette, Illinois. Its 2021 filing is marked as the organization’s final return, and it states that all remaining assets were cash contributed to designated charities, with no other assets remaining for distribution. The foundation therefore appears to have wound down and stopped grantmaking.
Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation gave $43K across 22 grants in 2021 (avg $2K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2021)
- $43,197
- +16.2% vs 2020
- Grants made (2021)
- 22
- +4.8% vs 2020
- Average grant
- $1,964
- +10.9% vs 2020
- Median grant
- $500
- Primary geography
- Illinois (97% of itemized 2021 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2021 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2021; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The filing says the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. It listed applications as being made in writing and limited distributions to 501(c)(3) publicly supported organizations. These instructions are from the foundation’s final 2021 filing and should not be read as a current application process.
- Contact
Application contact: Mary A Boyer
Mailing address: 1500 Sheridan Road, Wilmette, IL 60091
Phone: (847) 835-4813
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2021
The largest 2021 recipient was Winnetka Congregational Church ($12K). Together the top 10 received $39K.
Grant Size Distribution
43 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 43 grants of 43 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2021 filing reports that 97% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 1% to New York, 1% to Florida, and less than 1% to Virginia.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2021 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
Cities
How Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation gives
- 71% of 2021 grantees were also funded in 2020. Method
- In 2021 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2021, annual grant giving ranged from $37K (2020) to $43K (2021). In 2021 it made 22 grants totaling $43K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Winnetka Congregational Church Winnetka, IL | Unrestricted General Church Fund | $11,550 |
| Ravinia Festival Highland Park, IL | Festival Annual Gala Benefit | $9,600 |
| Chicago Humanities Festival Chicago, IL | Annual Benefit Gala | $5,500 |
| Chicago Humanities Festival Chicago, IL | Annual fund, endowment fund, public humanities fellowship program, educational initiatives | $3,000 |
| Writers Theatre Glencoe, IL | Education Programs That Promote Literacy, Annual Fund | $2,500 |
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | Womens Board Undergraduate Scholarship | $2,000 |
| Chicago Botanical Garden Glencoe, IL | Annual Fund | $1,500 |
| Chicago Childrens Museum Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General Fund | $1,000 |
| The Boulevard (Interfaith House) Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General Fund | $1,000 |
| Journey Care Foundation Glenview, IL | Enriching Lives Through Expert and Compassionate Care | $1,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | — | $3 | $47,043 | $43,197 | 22 | $46,197 | $3 | $1,403 |
| 2020 | $47,040 | $43,334 | $39,488 | $37,170 | 21 | — | $42,531 | $2,399 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1K for 2021 — 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. Its 2021 grants went to organizations including a church, arts and cultural institutions, a university, a children’s museum, scholarship and senior-service organizations, and a food bank.
The grantees describe their own work in varied ways. Chicago Humanities Festival says it promotes public appreciation, understanding, and support of the humanities through festivals and educational programs. Writers Theatre describes itself as a literary organization whose mission includes creating connections through performances and programs. Northwestern University says it is committed to teaching, research, and students’ personal and intellectual growth. Chicago Children’s Museum describes play-based experiences and educational content for families and children. Evans Scholars Foundation says it provides scholarships and educational opportunities for caddies; Greater Chicago Food Depository says its mission is to end hunger; and North Shore Senior Center says it fosters older adults’ independence and well-being.
Grantmaking
In 2021, the foundation reported 22 grants totaling $43,197. Grant amounts ranged from $100 to $11,550, with a median of $500. In 2020, it reported 21 grants totaling $37,170. Its 2021 filing, the latest on this page, reports 22 grants totaling $43,197.
Among the largest 2021 grants were $11,550 to Winnetka Congregational Church for its unrestricted general church fund; $9,600 to Ravinia Festival for its annual gala benefit; and two grants to Chicago Humanities Festival, $5,500 for its annual benefit gala and $3,000 for its annual and endowment funds, public humanities fellowship program, and educational initiatives. Other grants included $2,500 to Writers Theatre for education programs that promote literacy and its annual fund; $2,000 to Northwestern University for the Women’s Board undergraduate scholarship; and $1,500 to Chicago Botanic Garden for its annual fund.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2021 filing lists Mary A. Boyer as president and trustee, and Carl H. Boyer as secretary and trustee.
Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation is led by Mary A. Boyer, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; none of the 2 officers listed in 2021 report compensation.
Officers on the 2021 filing
Mary A. Boyer
President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
CARL H BOYER dec
Secretary & Trustee
New on the 2021 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Carl H. Boyer (2020) — Secretary & Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2021. "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 Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation
How much does Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation give each year?
Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation gave $43K across 22 grants in 2021, according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2020 it gave $37K across 21 grants.
What is Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation's median grant in 2021 was $500, and its average grant was $1,964, across 22 grants on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation give grants?
Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (9 grants), Glencoe, IL (2 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 32% of Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation's 2021 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 22) were for general or operating support, per its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation's largest 2021 grantees include Winnetka Congregational Church ($11,550), Ravinia Festival ($9,600) and Chicago Humanities Festival ($8,500 across 2 grants), according to its 2021 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 69% of its itemized 2021 grant dollars.
What does Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2021 grants went to organizations including a church, arts and cultural institutions, a university, a children’s museum, scholarship and senior-service organizations, and a food bank. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation?
The filing says the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2021, Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation's EIN?
Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 45-2475568. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2021.
Does Mary Apple Boyer Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 29, 2022)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2021
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