Mason Foundation Inc
Mason Foundation Inc is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 1981. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on supporting youth through education, athletics, and extracurricular activities. The foundation was formed to honor the memory of BJ Mason and aims to recognize individuals who overcome adversity and work toward improving their community.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.0M
-4.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$381K
-3.3% YoY
Grant Count
22
-4.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
+1.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mason Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $473K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Mason Foundation's mission is to impact the lives of youth by investing in their education, athletics, and extracurriculars. The foundation believes in recognizing those who overcome adversity and work towards improving their community.
Primary funding areas include:
- Education
- Scholarships and student financial aid
- Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking
- Human services
- General charitable purposes
- Capital campaigns
Grantmaking
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invite-only basis.
Grant Range
$16,000 (2024)
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total assets: $2,978,620
- Total revenues: $282,493
- Total expenses: $411,931
- Investment income and dividends: $147,348
- Number of employees: 0
Historical Giving:
- 2024: $381,000 in grants (22 grants)
- 2023: $394,000 in grants (23 grants)
- 2022: $453,000 in grants (23 grants)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,978,620 | $3,107,897 | $3,270,967 |
| Revenue | $282,493 | $260,447 | $236,936 |
| Expenses | $411,931 | $423,517 | $488,569 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $393,100 | $407,170 | $465,666 |
| Net Investment Income | $266,941 | $247,380 | $258,954 |
| Distributable Amount | $472,931 | $400,694 | $412,641 |
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
115 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Art Institute of Chicago and School of the Art Institute of Chicago ($53,000), Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation ($39,000), Hoover Institution at Stanford University ($32,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO AND SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | ANNUAL FUND; SCHOOL ANNUAL FUND, DEPATMENT OF PAINTING AND SCULPTURE OF EUROPE PAINTING AND SCULPTURE OF EUROPE CURATORIAL DISCRETIONARY FUND | $53,000 |
| CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CHICAGO, IL | ANNUAL FUND | $19,000 |
| DEER PATH ART LEAGUE LAKE FOREST, IL | ANNUAL FUND | $6,000 |
| FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST - BOSTON BOSTON, MA | GENERAL PURPOSE FUND | $13,000 |
| FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST SCIENTIST - LIBERTYVILLE LIBERTYVILLE, IL | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $26,000 |
| GOLDEN APPLE FOUNDATION CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $10,000 |
| GORTON COMMUNITY CENTER LAKE FOREST, IL | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $6,000 |
| HOOVER INSTITUTION AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY STANFORD, CA | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $32,000 |
| INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION BARABOO, WI | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $19,000 |
| JOHN G SHEDD AQUARIUM CHICAGO, IL | ANNUAL FUND | $19,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MARIAN PAWLICK | PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBERT DOUGLASS | VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| TIMOTHY G CARROLL | SECRETARY | 2 | $8,652 |
| TIMOTHY P DOUGLASS | VICE PRESIDENT & DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| K SCOTT DOUGLASS | TREASURER & DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mason Foundation Inc fund?
The Mason Foundation's mission is to impact the lives of youth by investing in their education, athletics, and extracurriculars. The foundation believes in recognizing those who overcome adversity and work towards improving their community. Primary funding areas include: • Education • Scholarships and student financial aid • Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking • Human services • General charitable purposes • Capital campaigns
How do I apply for a grant from Mason Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 22-23 grants annually in recent years • Total giving: $381,000 (2024) • Median grant size: $16,000 (2024) • Grant range: $2,000–$60,000 • Giving rate: 12.8% of assets **Recent Grantees (2024):** • Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation: $39,000 • Lake Forest College: $32,000 • Vassar College: $26,000 • Art Institute of Chicago • School of the Art Institute of Chicago **Application Process:** The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates on an invit…
Where does Mason Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts.
What size grants does Mason Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Mason Foundation Inc awarded 22 grants totaling $381K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Mason Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Mason Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $473K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Mason Foundation Inc's EIN?
Mason Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3101263. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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