Ranch Spur Charitable Trust
Ranch Spur Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Wayne, Illinois. Its 2024 filing reports 46 grants totaling $890,943 to organizations in several states.
Ranch Spur Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: Ranch Spur Charitable Trust gave $891K across 46 grants in 2024 (avg $19K), mostly in Illinois. 9% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $890,943
- -22.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 46
- +21.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $19,368
- -35.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,500
- Total assets
- $6,544,233
- -1.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 9% first-time grantees (4 of 45, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (55% 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 Ranch Spur Charitable Trust
- How to Apply
-
The 2024 filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. It lists written materials and Frank Bauer as the contact for applications, and states that there are no restrictions on awards.
- Review Cycle
- None stated.
- Deadline
- None stated.
- Contact
Application contact: Frank Bauer
Mailing address: PO Box 503, Wayne, IL 60184
Phone: (630) 584-1758
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Ranch Spur Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Garfield Heritage Society ($114K across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $682K.
Grant Size Distribution
196 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 171 grants of 196 (87%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 55% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 12% to North Dakota, 11% to Minnesota, 7% to Connecticut, and 6% to Washington, DC. The listed grants also included recipients in Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 46 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Ranch Spur Charitable Trust open to new grantees?
9%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 45 grantees (9%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $21K. How we count
Medians: $4K first-time, $5K repeat.
- 82% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 49% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 186% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). 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 $599K (2021) to $1.1M (2023). In 2024 it made 46 grants totaling $891K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Delta Waterfowl Foundation Bismarck, ND | Unrestricted | $104,700 |
| Garfield Heritage Society Lafox, IL | Unrestricted | $103,680 |
| Illinois Policy Institute Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Next Generation Bulgaria Fund Bloomington, MN | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| The Conservation Foundation Naperville, IL | Unrestricted | $74,561 |
| Assist Inc Suffield, CT | Unrestricted | $59,225 |
| Business Executives for National Security Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $50,000 |
| Northern Illinois Food Bank Carol Stream, IL | Unrestricted | $30,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Elgin Elgin, IL | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Ranch Spur Charitable Trust?
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 | $6,544,233 | $730,623 | $794,857 | $890,943 | 46 | $944,664 | $539,526 | $508,815 |
| 2023 | $6,608,467 | $604,854 | $1,146,392 | $1,144,761 | 38 | $1,192,969 | $405,388 | $470,120 |
| 2022 | $7,150,003 | $506,565 | $675,509 | $609,500 | 36 | $657,531 | $402,582 | $536,917 |
| 2021 | $7,318,947 | $753,986 | $655,262 | $599,000 | 37 | $646,489 | $523,268 | $562,757 |
| 2020 | $7,220,223 | $575,670 | $719,705 | $689,500 | 39 | — | $401,389 | $484,346 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Ranch Spur Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $509K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission is stated in the provided information. Its 2024 grants included organizations whose own missions describe a range of activities. Delta Waterfowl Foundation says it works to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting; Garfield Heritage Society describes its work as preserving and interpreting Northern Illinois heritage; and The Conservation Foundation says it preserves and restores natural areas and protects rivers and watersheds.
Other 2024 grantees describe work in public policy, early childhood development and education, national security, and food access. For example, Next Generation Bulgaria Fund says its grants support early childhood development, education, and school success; Northern Illinois Food Bank describes providing meals and access to nutritious food; and Greater Chicago Food Depository says its mission is to end hunger.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 46 grants totaling $890,943. Grants ranged from $250 to $104,700, with a median grant of $5,500. The largest grants included $104,700 to Delta Waterfowl Foundation, $103,680 to Garfield Heritage Society, $100,000 to Illinois Policy Institute, $100,000 to Next Generation Bulgaria Fund, and $74,561 to The Conservation Foundation. These grants were reported as unrestricted.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Frank Bauer and Joyce Bauer as trustees.
Ranch Spur Charitable Trust's 2024 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Frank Bauer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joyce Bauer
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 Ranch Spur Charitable Trust
How much does Ranch Spur Charitable Trust give each year?
Ranch Spur Charitable Trust gave $891K across 46 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.1M across 38 grants.
What is Ranch Spur Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
Ranch Spur Charitable Trust's median grant in 2024 was $5,500, and its average grant was $19,368, across 46 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Ranch Spur Charitable Trust that year got $5K on average.
Where does Ranch Spur Charitable Trust give grants?
Ranch Spur Charitable Trust gives mostly in Illinois: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were North Dakota (12%) and Minnesota (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (11 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants), Lafox, IL (2 grants) and Naperville, IL (2 grants).
Does Ranch Spur Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Ranch Spur Charitable Trust's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (46 of 46) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Ranch Spur Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
Ranch Spur Charitable Trust's largest 2024 grantees include Garfield Heritage Society ($113,680 across 2 grants), Delta Waterfowl Foundation ($104,700) and Illinois Policy Institute ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 36% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Ranch Spur Charitable Trust?
Ranch Spur Charitable Trust reported $6.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $945K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $509K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Ranch Spur Charitable Trust fund?
No foundation mission is stated in the provided information. Its 2024 grants included organizations whose own missions describe a range of activities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Ranch Spur Charitable Trust?
The 2024 filing says the foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Ranch Spur Charitable Trust's EIN?
Ranch Spur Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-6121636. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Ranch Spur Charitable Trust's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
Gannett Foundation Inc
New York, NY
Gannett Foundation’s 2025 grants supported a range of organizations, with listed awards generally between $1,500 and $2,500, though the available figures do not establish a typical grant size or geographic focus. The foundation has wound down: its 2026 filing reports no grants or assets, and no current application process or acceptance of unsolicited requests is stated.
Assets
—
Grants
32
Total Given
$65K
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
United Way Worldwide
Alexandria, VA
United Way Worldwide funds community programs focused on youth opportunity, health, financial security, education, and disaster relief, with 2024 grants made across multiple U.S. states and internationally. Its 209 reported grants ranged from $5,100 to $736,333, with a median of $22,675. It does not state whether it accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$68.0M
Grants
209
Total Given
$11.4M
Motorola Solutions Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Motorola Solutions Foundation funds first-responder programs and technology and engineering education, especially for under-resourced communities; its 2025 grants had a median of $35,000. It supports organizations worldwide, with priority for communities where Motorola Solutions operates, and accepts unsolicited requests through an annual letter-of-inquiry process, with full applications by invitation.
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
213
Total Given
$12.6M
The Dupage Community Foundation
Downers Grove, IL
The DuPage Community Foundation funds nonprofits and community collaborations working in health and human services, youth education, workforce development, the environment, animal welfare, arts and culture, and early childhood education, primarily serving DuPage County residents. Its 2025 median grant was $20,000; 2026 Community Impact grants are capped at $5,000 for Seed grants and generally $10,000–$25,000 for Sustain grants, depending on the focus area. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$161.8M
Grants
241
Total Given
$16.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Ranch Spur Charitable Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/ranch-spur-charitable-trust-morg_a4dec21329fb440392ca9530642bc728
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_266121636_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Ranch Spur Charitable Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/ranch-spur-charitable-trust-morg_a4dec21329fb440392ca9530642bc728},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Ranch Spur Charitable Trust'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.
Ranch Spur Charitable Trust down — hundreds of funders to go?