Monticello College Foundation
The Monticello College Foundation is a private foundation based in Godfrey, Illinois. It supports projects and programs that provide educational opportunities and experiences for women.
Monticello College Foundation at a glance
In short: Monticello College Foundation gave $575K across 36 grants in 2025 (avg $16K), top state Illinois. 4% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $574,952
- -20.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 36
- +16.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $15,971
- -31.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $11,718
- Total assets
- $11,592,375
- +1.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 4% first-time grantees (1 of 26, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (46% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Monticello College Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Apply through the Foundation’s online application form. The Foundation’s 2024 filing says eligible tax-exempt institutions or organizations may submit a project outline to Laura Shansey.
- Review Cycle
- Proposals are received on a continuing basis; the Foundation asks that they be submitted by August 31 for fall Board meeting consideration or February 28 for spring review.
- Deadline
- Proposals are received on a continuing basis; the Foundation asks that they be submitted by August 31 for fall Board…
- Contact
Application contact: Laura Shansey
Mailing address: The Evergreens, Godfrey, IL 62035
Phone: (618) 468-2370
Email: lshansey@lc.edu
Website: https://monticellofound.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Monticello College Foundation
Who Monticello College Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Washington University ($101K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $381K.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($10,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
152 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 143 grants of 152 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation gives preference to organizations in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. In filing year 2025, recipient organizations received 46% of grant dollars in Illinois, 28% in Missouri, 6% in Kentucky, 5% in Wisconsin, and 5% in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 36 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Monticello College Foundation open to new grantees?
4%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 26 grantees (4%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $15K first-time, $17K repeat.
- 96% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−18%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 71% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $575K (2025) to $719K (2024). In 2025 it made 36 grants totaling $575K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lewis & Clark Community College Godfrey, IL | Scholarships | $74,392 |
| Washington University St. Louis, MO | Olin Fellowships | $55,463 |
| Washington University St. Louis, MO | Olin Fellowships | $45,085 |
| Illinois College Jacksonville, IL | Scholarships for Women | $35,323 |
| Newberry Library Chicago, IL | MCF Fellow | $30,365 |
| Center for American Archeology Kampsville, IL | Women in Archeology Interns | $30,000 |
| Webster University St. Louis, MO | CMS Scholarships | $25,471 |
| Peoria Playhouse Children's Museum Peoria, IL | Museum Education Intern | $25,000 |
| Alice Lloyd College Pippa Passes, KY | Workshops for Women | $20,140 |
| Vincent Gray Academy East St Louis, IL | Scholarships | $20,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Monticello College Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The Foundation’s website reports the following financial activity for the year ended June 30, 2025. IRS filing data reports grant totals by filing year.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $11,592,375 | $773,181 | $684,053 | $574,952 | 36 | $594,913 | $529,658 | $840,355 |
| 2024 | $11,377,017 | $693,694 | $818,690 | $719,156 | 31 | $736,672 | $600,471 | $751,743 |
| 2023 | $11,306,193 | $609,506 | $777,969 | $685,049 | 30 | $702,177 | $515,809 | $701,233 |
| 2022 | $11,585,066 | $1,223,046 | $807,529 | $703,513 | 29 | $720,537 | $1,124,540 | $763,343 |
| 2021 | $11,012,631 | $1,142,373 | $794,178 | $700,951 | 26 | — | $1,056,791 | $683,474 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Monticello College Foundation reported a distributable amount of $840K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation’s mission, based on its 1843 charter, is “the promotion of female education.” It funds educational opportunities and experiences for women, including scholarships, fellowships, internships, and educational programs.
Eligible applicants include professional educational associations, agencies serving women’s education, and accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities. Applicants must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3), must not be private foundations, and must be organized and operate in the listed Midwest region. The Foundation prefers proposals that demonstrate innovation, creativity, and need.
Examples of grantees’ work include Illinois College, which describes itself as a four-year liberal arts institution, and the Center for American Archeology, which says it supports archaeological investigation, educational outreach, and cultural stewardship. The Foundation’s 2025 grant purposes also included Olin fellowships, museum education internships, scholarships, and workshops for women.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Foundation reported 36 grants totaling $574,952. Grant amounts ranged from $30 to $74,392, with a median of $11,718. The largest reported grants included:
The Foundation’s website directs applicants to use its online application form. Its 2024 filing describes an application as a project outline, preferably no longer than two typed pages, accompanied by a one-page organizational description, proof of tax-exempt status, and other project and organizational information. The website asks first-time applicants for their most recent fiscal year-end income statement and balance sheet, plus a current budget. Previous grantees must also submit a brief report on the impact of their most recent grant. The website says not to submit an entire audit.
The Foundation does not consider requests for direct grants to individuals, capital purposes, current operating expenses, endowed chairs, exchange students, social service agencies, or online scholastic programs.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Laura Shansey as Executive Director; Christopher A. Kreid as Chairman; Dianne P. Saul as Secretary; George S. Milnor II as Treasurer; and Sara L. Anschuetz as Assistant Treasurer. It also lists Karl K. Hoagland Jr., Janet Biermann, Jenny Levis Sadow, Mary Anschuetz Vogt, and Julie Jones Williams as board members.
Monticello College Foundation is led by Christopher A. Kreid, Chairman on every filing since 2021; 1 of 16 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Christopher A. Kreid
Chairman
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Laura Shansey
Executive Di
On filings since 2021
$27K (2021) → $30K (2025)
Bonnie Norman
Board Member
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Dianne P. Saul
Secretary
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Brkich
Board Member
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
George S. Milnor II
Treasurer
Assistant Treasurer → Treasurer, 2022
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Janet Biermann
Board Member
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Jenny Levis Sadow
Board Member
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Julie Jones Williams
Board Member
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Karl K. Hoagland Jr.
Board Member
Treasurer → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Linda Nevlin
Board Member
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Mary Anschuetz Vogt
Board Member
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Robin Levis
Board Member
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Sara L. Anschuetz
Assistant Treasurer
Board Member → Assistant Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Sally Milnor Zyfers
Board Member
On filings since 2024
No compensation reported
Elisabeth Hoagland Berridge
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Sarah Hoagland (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Janet A. Schweppe (2021–2023) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Alice Milnor Norton (2021–2022) — Vice Chairman
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $30K, to Laura Shansey (Executive Di).
Frequently asked questions about Monticello College Foundation
How much does Monticello College Foundation give each year?
Monticello College Foundation gave $575K across 36 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $719K across 31 grants.
What is Monticello College Foundation's typical grant size?
Monticello College Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $11,718, and its average grant was $15,971, across 36 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Monticello College Foundation that year got $15K on average.
Where does Monticello College Foundation give grants?
Monticello College Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 46% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Missouri (28%) and Kentucky (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were St. Louis, MO (6 grants), Godfrey, IL (2 grants), Chicago, IL (2 grants) and Carlinville, IL (2 grants).
Does Monticello College Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 36 grants with a stated purpose on Monticello College Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarships" (3 grants) and "Community Service Scholarships" (3 grants).
Who are Monticello College Foundation's largest grantees?
Monticello College Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Washington University ($100,548 across 2 grants), Lewis & Clark Community College ($74,500 across 2 grants) and Illinois College ($35,323), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 1 individual scholarship ($10,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 37% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Monticello College Foundation?
Monticello College Foundation reported $11.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $595K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $840K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Monticello College Foundation fund?
The Foundation’s mission, based on its 1843 charter, is “the promotion of female education.” It funds educational opportunities and experiences for women, including scholarships, fellowships, internships, and educational programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Monticello College Foundation?
Apply through the Foundation’s online application form. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Monticello College Foundation's EIN?
Monticello College Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-0681538. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 6, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 29, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Monticello College Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Illinois
IBM International Foundation
Armonk, NY
The IBM International Foundation funds education and workforce programs that build 21st-century and technology job skills, including initiatives for underserved students and job seekers. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to $8.48 million, with a median of $100,000, and went to organizations across several U.S. states, especially Delaware and Massachusetts. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$357.7M
Grants
16
Total Given
$11.7M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Tulsa Community Foundation
Tulsa, OK
Tulsa Community Foundation supports charitable causes through donor-advised grants and selected funds, including scholarships, emergency assistance, disaster relief, arts and humanities, healthcare, and financial literacy, primarily in the Tulsa metro area and eastern Oklahoma, with some giving elsewhere in the United States. Its 2024 median grant was $18,560; selected field-of-interest funds have application cycles, but the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests generally.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
1,066
Total Given
$158.6M
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
$89.3M
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans’ services, and charitable projects through Elks Lodges and state associations across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median size of $10,000, though awards varied widely; the profile describes application routes for specific Lodge and scholarship programs but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$954.1M
Grants
1,536
Total Given
$36.5M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation
Chicago, IL
The MacArthur Foundation funds work advancing a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, including climate solutions, criminal justice, journalism, technology, and Chicago. In 2024, its grants had a median of $160,000, though awards ranged widely; it generally does not accept unsolicited requests, with possible exceptions for specific open calls or proposals that meet program guidelines.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Monticello College Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/monticello-college-foundation-morg_2efad332b6f64489b6837d562efdbf5c
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_370681538_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Monticello College Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/monticello-college-foundation-morg_2efad332b6f64489b6837d562efdbf5c},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Monticello College Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Monticello College Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?