Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation
The Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Arlington Heights, Illinois. Its 2024 grants supported charitable organizations and educational institutions, including organizations working in mental health and domestic and sexual violence support.
Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation at a glance
In short: Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation gave $531K across 48 grants in 2024 (avg $11K), top state California. 58% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $531,280
- -24.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 48
- -28.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $11,068
- +5.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $12,340,188
- +8.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 58% first-time grantees (28 of 48, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (21% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 21 S Evergreen Avenue 210, Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Phone: (312) 332-3682
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Stronghearts Native Helpline ($100K). Together the top 10 received $463K.
Grant Size Distribution
292 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 263 grants of 292 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state went to California (21%), Michigan (19%), Rhode Island (14%), Washington, DC (14%), and Oregon (12%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 48 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation open to new grantees?
58%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 28 of 48 grantees (58%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $13K; repeat grants $8K. How we count
Medians: $2K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 38% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 23% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 79% 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 (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $531K (2024) to $873K (2020). In 2024 it made 48 grants totaling $531K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Stronghearts Native Helpline Sault Ste Marie, MI | General | $100,000 |
| The Trevor Project West Hollywood, CA | General | $100,000 |
| Day One Rhode Island Providence, RI | General | $75,000 |
| Active Minds Washington, DC | General | $62,500 |
| Center for Mental Health Innovation Portland, OR | General | $62,500 |
| Ithaca College Ithaca, NY | Oscar Raymond Mayer Memorial Fund | $29,000 |
| Wayland Academy Beaver Damn, WI | DRS Anita and Gregory Mayer Scholarship | $10,000 |
| National Institute for Science Law and Policy Washington, DC | General | $8,600 |
| Beloit College Beloit, WI | Annual Fund | $7,500 |
| Lake Forest Academy Lake Forest, IL | General | $7,500 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $12,340,188 | $1,787,711 | $855,525 | $531,280 | 48 | $665,613 | $1,737,261 | $845,318 |
| 2023 | $11,407,801 | $272,897 | $1,066,061 | $700,824 | 67 | $879,398 | $256,751 | $803,669 |
| 2022 | $12,202,770 | $349,055 | $1,030,990 | $664,982 | 63 | $832,184 | $288,602 | $819,814 |
| 2021 | $12,893,885 | $1,115,797 | $1,079,593 | $685,655 | 57 | $829,309 | $1,037,146 | $893,647 |
| 2020 | $12,857,854 | $712,435 | $1,173,015 | $873,493 | 57 | — | $628,311 | $777,507 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $845K for 2024 — 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 foundation mission statement is provided. The grantees’ own descriptions show the kinds of organizations it supported in 2024. StrongHearts Native Helpline says it works to support Native Americans impacted by domestic and sexual violence. Active Minds says it mobilizes youth and young adults to lead a movement in mental health. Wayland Academy describes its work as preparing students for college and beyond through a liberal arts curriculum and campus programs.
Other 2024 recipients included colleges and schools, as well as the Overture Center for Arts. The grant list also includes support for the National Institute for Science, Law and Policy.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 48 grants totaling $531,280. Grants ranged from $36 to $100,000, with a median of $2,500. Its largest listed grants were $100,000 each to StrongHearts Native Helpline and The Trevor Project, followed by $75,000 to Day One Rhode Island and $62,500 each to Active Minds and the Center for Mental Health Innovation.
Other listed grants included $29,000 to Ithaca College, $10,000 to Wayland Academy, and $7,500 each to Beloit College, Lake Forest Academy, and the Overture Center for Arts.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Oscar Henry Mayer as director and president; William E Mayer as director and vice president; Scott T Mayer as director and treasurer; Alison Shetter as director and secretary; and Carolyn S Monson as assistant secretary. Other listed directors are Donald L Mayer, Stephanie Mayer Heydt, Gregory K Mayer, and Sarah Rider. Timothy N Thompson is listed as assistant treasurer.
Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation is led by Oscar Harrison Mayer, Director, President & Director since 2023 (on filings since 2020); none of the 10 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Oscar Harrison Mayer
Director, President & Director
Director & Vice President → Director, President & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alison M. Shetter
Director & Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephanie Mayer Heydt
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William E. Mayer
Director & Vice President
Director & President → Director & Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gregory K. Mayer
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Rider
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Donald L. Mayer
Director
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott T. Mayer
Director & Treasurer
Director → Director & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carolyn S. Monson
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Timothy N. Thompson
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Brooke Mayer Larson (2020–2022) — Director & Secretary
- Former: Barbara J. Pope (2021–2022) — Director & Treasurer
- Former: Richard C. Mayer (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Wendy Mayer Berry (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation
How much does Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation give each year?
Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation gave $531K across 48 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $701K across 67 grants.
What is Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation's typical grant size?
Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $2,500, and its average grant was $11,068, across 48 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation that year got $13K on average.
Where does Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation give grants?
Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation's top state is California, with 21% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Michigan (19%) and Rhode Island (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Washington, DC (3 grants), Chicago, IL (3 grants), Phoenix, AZ (3 grants) and Denver, CO (3 grants).
Does Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 90% of Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (43 of 48) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation's largest grantees?
Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Stronghearts Native Helpline ($100,000), The Trevor Project ($100,000) and Day One Rhode Island ($75,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 52% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation?
Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation reported $12.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $666K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $845K (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 Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. The grantees’ own descriptions show the kinds of organizations it supported in 2024. StrongHearts Native Helpline says it works to support Native Americans impacted by domestic and sexual violence. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation?
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 ↑
What is Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation's EIN?
Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4035204. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 21, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 26, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 28, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/oscar-and-elsa-mayer-family-foundation-morg_33bb58c6ddfe4804a80f337a4f8dd3e9
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364035204_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Oscar \& Elsa Mayer Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/oscar-and-elsa-mayer-family-foundation-morg_33bb58c6ddfe4804a80f337a4f8dd3e9},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. 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 Oscar & Elsa Mayer Family 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.
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