Oberweiler Foundation
The Oberweiler Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation incorporated in Illinois in 2000 and based in Barrington. It supports programs primarily in Northern Illinois, focusing on alternative medicine, U.S. veterans and their families, wilderness and wetlands, and sick and/or abused children age 12 and under.
Oberweiler Foundation at a glance
In short: Oberweiler Foundation gave $871K across 56 grants in 2025 (avg $16K), mostly in Illinois. 35% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $871,100
- +5.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 56
- +16.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $15,555
- -10.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $13,442,961
- +14.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 35% first-time grantees (19 of 55, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (88% 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 Oberweiler Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited formal grant applications. It asks organizations to first mail a letter of proposal, no longer than two typed pages, describing the agency and its history, mission, project and its need, who will be served and where, evaluation of success, fit with the foundation’s giving areas, and the requested amount, terms, use of funds, project-budget context, and other funding sources. Following review, the Executive Director may invite the organization to submit a formal application. Invited applicants may use the Chicago Area Common Grant application; applications must be mailed in hard copy and signed by an authorized officer. The Review Committee meets every other month from February through October.
- Contact
Application contact: Mary E Rowe
Mailing address: 330 E Main Street Suite 204, Barrington, IL 60010
Phone: (847) 277-7443
Email: oberw1@ameritech.net
Website: https://oberweilerfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Oberweiler Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Comer Children's Hospital ($40K). Together the top 10 received $295K.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
218 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 213 grants of 218 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says it funds programs primarily in Northern Illinois, specifically Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry counties. Its 2025 grant dollars went primarily to Illinois recipients (88%); the remaining shares went to Pennsylvania (5%), Virginia (3%), Wisconsin (2%), and Indiana (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 56 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Oberweiler Foundation open to new grantees?
35%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 19 of 55 grantees (35%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $19K. How we count
Medians: $7K first-time, $20K repeat.
- 42% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+12%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 112% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $576K (2021) to $871K (2025). In 2025 it made 56 grants totaling $871K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Comer Children's Hospital Chicago, IL | Integrative Medicine Program | $40,000 |
| Green City Market Chicago, IL | Edible Education Programming | $40,000 |
| Travis Manion Foundation Doylestown, PA | Chicago Veterans and Youth | $35,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy Arlington, VA | Volunteer Stewardship Network | $30,000 |
| Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center Harvard, IL | Trail to Zero- Windy Knoll Training Ride | $25,000 |
| Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods Riverwoods, IL | It's a Win | $25,000 |
| Delta Institute Chicago, IL | Kane County Soil Health Impact and Economic Assessment | $25,000 |
| Friends of the Chicago River Chicago, IL | River Volunteer Stewardship Program | $25,000 |
| Friends of the Forest Preserve Chicago, IL | North Branch Conservation Crew | $25,000 |
| Friends of the Illinois Nature Preserves Dekalb, IL | Field Representatives | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Oberweiler Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $13,442,961 | $3,104,322 | $1,402,893 | $871,100 | 56 | $1,054,623 | $2,795,052 | $942,512 |
| 2024 | $11,742,032 | $1,364,403 | $1,315,714 | $829,700 | 48 | $1,010,951 | $1,073,139 | $899,310 |
| 2023 | $11,694,577 | $423,025 | $1,053,938 | $632,413 | 44 | $813,220 | $186,689 | $755,455 |
| 2022 | $12,337,115 | $972,708 | $1,183,089 | $780,826 | 35 | $886,229 | $684,160 | $746,971 |
| 2021 | $12,547,246 | $1,621,431 | $998,127 | $576,129 | 35 | $671,928 | $1,313,232 | $873,251 |
| 2020 | $11,924,692 | $1,269,924 | $974,282 | $617,113 | 44 | — | $1,016,105 | $701,683 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Oberweiler Foundation reported a distributable amount of $943K 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 stated mission is to fulfill its founders’ wishes by supporting innovative solutions in its targeted areas: helping individuals achieve higher levels of wellness through alternative medicine; supporting U.S. veterans and their families as they transition to civilian life; protecting America’s wilderness and wetlands from private exploitation or public encroachment; and assisting sick and/or abused children age 12 and under.
Its 2025 grants illustrate these areas. Travis Manion Foundation, which received $35,000, says it empowers veterans and families of fallen heroes to develop character in future generations. Friends of the Chicago River, a $25,000 recipient, says it works to protect and restore the Chicago-Calumet River system. Gigi’s Playhouse, also awarded $25,000, describes its work as providing free educational, therapeutic, and career-development programs for people with Down syndrome, their families, and the community.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 56 grants totaling $871,100. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $40,000, with a median of $15,000. Among the largest awards were $40,000 to Comer Children’s Hospital for its Integrative Medicine Program and $40,000 to Green City Market for edible education programming. Other notable grants included $35,000 to Travis Manion Foundation for Chicago veterans and youth, $30,000 to The Nature Conservancy for its Volunteer Stewardship Network, and $25,000 each to several Illinois organizations, including Bravehearts Therapeutic Riding and Educational Center, Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods, and Friends of the Chicago River.
The foundation’s website says funded organizations must be IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations, allow a staff visit, sign a grant contract, and provide quarterly progress reports. It prioritizes projects involving the people served in planning and implementation, addressing persistent problems, reaching significant numbers of people, and building on prior-grant progress. It excludes building funds, capital campaigns and renovations, general operating support, government entities, individual financial assistance, international projects, political causes, and organizations without tax-exempt status.
The 2025 IRS filing also describes a separate scholarship process for graduating Barrington High School seniors planning to attend community college, trade or vocational school, technical training, or an apprenticeship. The filing gives a March 1 deadline; that cycle has passed. It specifies submission through the school’s local scholarship process, with the foundation’s application, one recommendation letter, and an essay of 500 words or less. Preference is given to students pursuing listed trades such as electrical, plumbing, HVAC, welding, refrigeration, auto, carpentry, or construction. Foundation directors, employees, donors, and their children are ineligible.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Siegfried Weiler as president; Anna Weiler as treasurer; Mary Rowe as vice president/executive director; and Ronald Ohlsen, Martha Linn, Kevin Scheiwiller, and Sue Sindewald as directors.
Oberweiler Foundation is led by Mary Rowe, Vice President & Executive Director since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 3 of 7 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary Rowe
Vice President & Executive Director
Vice President & Executive D → Vice President & Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$154K (2020) → $186K (2025)
Siegfried Weiler
President
On filings since 2020
0.2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ronald Ohlsen
Director
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
$400 (2020) → $0 (2025)
Kevin Scheiwiller
Director
On filings since 2022
0.1 hrs/week
$200 (2022) → $0 (2025)
Martha Linn
Director
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
$200 (2023) → $200 (2025)
Sue Sindewald
Director
On filings since 2023
0.1 hrs/week
$200 (2023) → $200 (2025)
Anna Weiler
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.1 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: James R. Bartell (2020–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Martha Heylin (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Ruth S. Flynn (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $186K, to Mary Rowe (VP/Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Oberweiler Foundation
How much does Oberweiler Foundation give each year?
Oberweiler Foundation gave $871K across 56 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $830K across 48 grants.
What is Oberweiler Foundation's typical grant size?
Oberweiler Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $15,000, and its average grant was $15,555, across 56 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Oberweiler Foundation that year got $10K on average.
Where does Oberweiler Foundation give grants?
Oberweiler Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 88% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Pennsylvania (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (19 grants), Palatine, IL (3 grants), Hoffman Estates, IL (2 grants) and Oak Park, IL (2 grants).
Does Oberweiler Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 7% of Oberweiler Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (4 of 56) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Oberweiler Foundation's largest grantees?
Oberweiler Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Comer Children's Hospital ($40,000), Green City Market ($40,000) and Travis Manion Foundation ($35,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($25,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Oberweiler Foundation?
Oberweiler Foundation reported $13.4M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.1M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $943K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Oberweiler Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to fulfill its founders’ wishes by supporting innovative solutions in its targeted areas: helping individuals achieve higher levels of wellness through alternative medicine; supporting U.S. veterans and their families as they transition to civilian life; protecting America’s wilderness and wetlands from private exploitation or public encroachment; and assisting sick and/or abused children age 12 and under. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Oberweiler Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited formal grant applications. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Oberweiler Foundation's EIN?
Oberweiler Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4376705. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Oberweiler Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 10, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 16, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Oberweiler Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/oberweiler-foundation-morg_44a01dca80994cfd9e6815cee92fdadd
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364376705_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Oberweiler Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/oberweiler-foundation-morg_44a01dca80994cfd9e6815cee92fdadd},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Oberweiler 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.
Oberweiler Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?