Red Bird Hollow Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1991 and based in Lake Forest, Illinois. The foundation is the philanthropic vehicle of the Lillard family and operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status since June 1991 (EIN: 36-3747664).
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$435K
-74.6% YoY
Grant Count
26
-50.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-49.2% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation gives primarily for education and youth programs. According to tax filings and public records, Red Bird Hollow Foundation supports a diverse range of causes including:
- Education (K-12 and higher education)
- Youth programs
- Arts and culture
- Human services
- Health
- Environment
- Religious causes
The foundation demonstrates particular commitment to education and youth initiatives, with notable support for institutions with which the Lillard family is affiliated.
Grantmaking
Red Bird Hollow Foundation takes a proactive approach to grantmaking rather than accepting unsolicited applications. The foundation does not maintain a website to guide grantseekers, reflecting its preference to keep a low profile.
Ready to take the next step with Red Bird Hollow Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While the foundation makes grants nationally, nonprofits in the Lake Forest area and Chicago metropolitan region may have an advantage in receiving support. The foundation shows particular interest in organizations within the Chicago area.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending June 2024:
- Total Assets: $1,733,017
- Total Revenue: $39,474
- Total Expenses: $438,831
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Number of Employees: 0
Revenue Composition (FY 2024):
- Investment income and dividends: $23,427
- Other income from Wintrust Chicago Trust Company
Year-over-Year Changes: Investment income declined 27.7% from $32,400 in FY 2023 to $23,427 in FY 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
176 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include University of Virginia - the College Foundation ($294,754), Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation ($30,010), Lake Forest Open Lands Association ($26,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN GLENCOE, IL | CHARITABLE | $1,500 |
| CHICAGO CARES CHICAGO, IL | CHARITABLE | $2,000 |
| CHICAGO SYMPHONY FOUNDATION CHICAGO, IL | CHARITABLE | $10,000 |
| CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT LAKE FOREST, IL | CHARITABLE | $10,000 |
| FOREST PARK PRESERVATION CORPORATION LAKE FOREST, IL | CHARITABLE | $2,000 |
| FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION ATLANTA, GA | CHARITABLE | $1,000 |
| FRIENDS OF BOCA GRANDE COMMUNITY CENTER BOCA GRANDE, FL | CHARITABLE | $1,000 |
| FRIENDS OF LFPR FOUNDATION LAKE FOREST, IL | CHARITABLE | $2,000 |
| GASPARILLA ISLAND CONSERVATION ACADEMY BOCA GRANDE, FL | CHARITABLE | $5,000 |
| GORTON COMMUNITY CENTER LAKE FOREST, IL | CHARITABLE | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Paula Lillard serves as the foundation's principal contact and is an education professional who co-founded Forest Bluff School, a Montessori school in Forest Bluff, Illinois.
John S. Lillard was a real estate investment executive and co-founder of the family's philanthropic efforts. He passed away in 2024.
Contact: Paula Lillard, 1340 N Waukegan Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045-1147; Telephone: 312-207-1040
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAULA POLK LILLARD | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| PAULA PRESCHLACK | VP/TREASURER | 1 | — |
| HELEN JESSEN | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| MARGARET KELLEY | VICE PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Red Bird Hollow Foundation fund?
The foundation gives primarily for education and youth programs. According to tax filings and public records, Red Bird Hollow Foundation supports a diverse range of causes including: • Education (K-12 and higher education) • Youth programs • Arts and culture • Human services • Health • Environment • Religious causes The foundation demonstrates particular commitment to education and youth initiatives, with notable support for institutions with which the Lillard family is affiliated.
How do I apply for a grant from Red Bird Hollow Foundation?
Red Bird Hollow Foundation takes a proactive approach to grantmaking rather than accepting unsolicited applications. The foundation does not maintain a website to guide grantseekers, reflecting its preference to keep a low profile. **Recent Grants (Fiscal Year Ending June 2024):** • The College Foundation of the University of Virginia: $294,754 • Lake Forest Open Lands Association (LFOLA): $26,000 • Lake Forest College: $10,000 • Additional 14 grants made during the period The foundation made 1…
Where does Red Bird Hollow Foundation make grants?
While the foundation makes grants nationally, nonprofits in the Lake Forest area and Chicago metropolitan region may have an advantage in receiving support. The foundation shows particular interest in organizations within the Chicago area.
What size grants does Red Bird Hollow Foundation award?
In 2024, Red Bird Hollow Foundation awarded 26 grants totaling $435K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Red Bird Hollow Foundation's EIN?
Red Bird Hollow Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3747664. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Red Bird Hollow Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Green and Blue Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$51K
Above and Beyond Daycare Center
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Primo Center for Women & Children
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
RHS Foundation
MOLINE, IL
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
37
Total Given
$342K
Rose Lafferty Educational Fund Xxxxx9006
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$228K
The John Crerar Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$991K
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Red Bird Hollow Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Red Bird Hollow Foundation to a real strategy.