There are multiple organizations operating under the Mills Family Foundation name. The primary entity referenced in recent grantmaking activity is based in Northfield, Illinois (EIN 20-3972275), established in 2005. This is a private foundation classified as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$988K
+1.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$31K
-79.4% YoY
Grant Count
4
-33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$8K
-69.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mills Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $48K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The James Mills Charitable Foundation (the Northfield, IL entity) focuses its giving primarily on:
- Education
- Health organizations, particularly children's hospitals
- Human services
- Jewish organizations
- Opera companies
Grantmaking
The foundation made seven grants in 2023 with total giving of $148,050.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Primary funding activity in Illinois, with documented grants to Chicago-area organizations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total assets: $978,714
- Total revenues: $752,477
- Total expenses: $150,465
- Investment income: $21,936
- Number of employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $988,277 | $978,714 | $376,702 |
| Revenue | $41,978 | $752,477 | $671,988 |
| Expenses | $32,415 | $150,465 | $985,159 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $31,465 | $149,265 | $945,840 |
| Net Investment Income | $41,028 | $751,277 | $670,788 |
| Distributable Amount | $48,100 | $37,460 | $62,113 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
69 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Upscale Rummage ($20,000), Am Shalom ($5,000), Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation ($5,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 1916 REDAN FOUNDATION LAKE BLUFF LAKE BLUFF, IL | GENERAL FUNDING | $500 |
| AM SHALOM GLENCOE, IL | GENERAL FUNDING | $5,000 |
| MULTIPLE MYELOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION NORWALK, CT | GENERAL FUNDING | $5,000 |
| UPSCALE RUMMAGE LIBERTYVILLE, IL | GENERAL FUNDING | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Location: 3 Lakes Drive, Northfield, IL 60093-2753
Telephone: 847-234-6525
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLES MILLS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Leadership & Contact
Location: 3 Lakes Drive, Northfield, IL 60093-2753
Telephone: 847-234-6525
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Mills Family Foundation fund?
The James Mills Charitable Foundation (the Northfield, IL entity) focuses its giving primarily on: • Education • Health organizations, particularly children's hospitals • Human services • Jewish organizations • Opera companies
How do I apply for a grant from Mills Family Foundation?
**Recent Grant Activity (2023):** • Noble Schools: $100,000 (General Funding) • The Fund for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago: $35,000 (General Funding) • Variety of Children's Charity of Illinois: $2,500 (General Funding) The foundation made seven grants in 2023 with total giving of $148,050. **Financial Capacity:** • Total assets: $978,714 (as of 2023) • Total expenses: $150,465 (2023) • Investment income and dividends: $21,936 (2023)
Where does Mills Family Foundation make grants?
Primary funding activity in Illinois, with documented grants to Chicago-area organizations.
What size grants does Mills Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Mills Family Foundation awarded 4 grants totaling $31K — an average of about $8K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Mills Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Mills Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $48K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Mills Family Foundation's EIN?
Mills Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-3972275. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Mills Family 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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