SBB Research Group Foundation
SBB Research Group Foundation is a private foundation based in Northbrook, Illinois. It supports charitable organizations through grantmaking; its grant filings show giving concentrated in Illinois, alongside grants to organizations in other states.
SBB Research Group Foundation at a glance
In short: SBB Research Group Foundation gave $320K across 75 grants in 2025 (avg $4K), mostly in Illinois. 59% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $319,642
- +52.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 75
- +11.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $4,262
- +36.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,500
- Total assets
- $13,554
- -79.3% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 59% first-time grantees (44 of 74, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (70% 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 SBB Research Group Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
The grant-program descriptions outline an online application and a rolling review process, but the foundation’s 2025 filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and contributes only to preselected…
The grant-program descriptions outline an online application and a rolling review process, but the foundation’s 2025 filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and contributes only to preselected organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 450 Skokie Boulevard 604, Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone: (847) 656-1111
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from SBB Research Group Foundation
Who SBB Research Group Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Chicago Scholars ($25K). Together the top 10 received $115K.
Grant Size Distribution
259 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 259 grants of 259 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 70% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois. Other reported recipient-state shares were Massachusetts (14%), Washington, D.C. (4%), Ohio (3%), and Texas (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 75 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is SBB Research Group Foundation open to new grantees?
59%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 44 of 74 grantees (59%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $4K; repeat grants $5K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 32% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 108% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2022–2025). 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 2022 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $154K (2022) to $320K (2025). In 2025 it made 75 grants totaling $320K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Scholars Chicago, IL | To Further the Mission of the Donee | $25,000 |
| Automotive Mentoring Group Chicago, IL | To Further the Mission of the Donee | $10,000 |
| Center for Enriched Living Riverwoods, IL | To Further the Mission of the Donee | $10,000 |
| Charles River Conservancy Inc Cambridge, MA | To Further the Mission of the Donee | $10,000 |
| Chicago Childrens Museum Chicago, IL | To Further the Mission of the Donee | $10,000 |
| Salute Inc Palatine, IL | To Further the Mission of the Donee | $10,000 |
| Surge for Water Chicago, IL | To Further the Mission of the Donee | $10,000 |
| World Wildlife Fund Washington, DC | To Further the Mission of the Donee | $10,000 |
| Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center Gurnee, IL | To Further the Mission of the Donee | $10,000 |
| Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation Chicago, IL | To Further the Mission of the Donee | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with SBB Research Group Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation files Form 990-PF.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $13,554 | $286,325 | $335,779 | $319,642 | 75 | $319,668 | $2,575 | $5,140 |
| 2024 | $65,368 | $281,275 | $225,143 | $209,814 | 67 | $210,040 | $1,275 | $3,717 |
| 2023 | $11,237 | $200,004 | $261,318 | $241,710 | 62 | $241,725 | — | $1,980 |
| 2022 | $71,466 | $180,004 | $162,219 | $153,835 | 55 | $153,835 | $4 | $2,391 |
| 2021 | $53,681 | $60,000 | $6,319 | — | — | — | — | $89 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, SBB Research Group Foundation reported a distributable amount of $5K 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 grantmaking aim is to support organizations addressing unmet needs through sustainable strategies. Its 2025 grants included organizations whose own missions concern education and mentoring, children’s learning, sexual-assault survivor support, veterans and military families, clean-water access, wildlife conservation, environmental stewardship, and support for families of pediatric cancer patients. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not separately identified focus areas of the foundation.
For example, Chicago Children’s Museum describes its work as encouraging families and caregivers to learn together through play. Salute Inc. says it meets the financial, physical, and emotional needs of injured service members, veterans, and their families. Surge for Water describes its mission as improving access to clean, safe water through education and outreach.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 75 grants totaling $319,642. Grant amounts ranged from $21 to $25,000, with a median of $2,500.
The largest reported grant was $25,000 to Chicago Scholars. Other notable grants included $10,000 each to Automotive Mentoring Group, Center for Enriched Living, Charles River Conservancy, Chicago Children’s Museum, Salute Inc., Surge for Water, World Wildlife Fund, Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, and Renaissance Knights Chess Foundation. Heartland Animal Shelter received $9,979, and The Dragonfly Foundation received $9,289. The stated purpose for these grants was “to further the mission of the donee.”
The foundation’s grant-program descriptions list active programs offering awards of $1,000–$5,000 to 501(c)(3) organizations addressing unmet needs through sustainable strategies. The descriptions outline rolling review by a Philanthropy Committee, possible nominee interviews, and finalist presentations; one says winners receive $5,000 and other finalists receive $1,000. One program description says it aims to empower organizations with 5 to 49 full-time employees. Separately, the foundation states on its 2025 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Samuel B Barnett as president and director; Matthew Aven as treasurer and director; Sandeep Navalgund as secretary and director; and Catherine Lach and Allison Barnett as directors.
SBB Research Group Foundation is led by Samuel B. Barnett, President & Director on every filing since 2021; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Samuel B. Barnett
President & Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Allison Barnett
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Catherine Lach
Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Matthew Aven
Treasurer & Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Sandeep Navalgund
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
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.
Frequently asked questions about SBB Research Group Foundation
How much does SBB Research Group Foundation give each year?
SBB Research Group Foundation gave $320K across 75 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $210K across 67 grants.
What is SBB Research Group Foundation's typical grant size?
SBB Research Group Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,500, and its average grant was $4,262, across 75 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from SBB Research Group Foundation that year got $4K on average.
Where does SBB Research Group Foundation give grants?
SBB Research Group Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Massachusetts (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (27 grants), Gurnee, IL (2 grants), Cambridge, MA (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does SBB Research Group Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 75 grants with a stated purpose on SBB Research Group Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "To Further the Mission of the Donee" (75 grants).
Who are SBB Research Group Foundation's largest grantees?
SBB Research Group Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Chicago Scholars ($25,000), Automotive Mentoring Group ($10,000) and Center for Enriched Living ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is SBB Research Group Foundation?
SBB Research Group Foundation reported $14K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $320K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does SBB Research Group Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated grantmaking aim is to support organizations addressing unmet needs through sustainable strategies. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from SBB Research Group Foundation?
The grant-program descriptions outline an online application and a rolling review process, but the foundation’s 2025 filing states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and contributes only to preselected… Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is SBB Research Group Foundation's EIN?
SBB Research Group Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 87-3075769. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does SBB Research Group 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 14, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in SBB Research Group Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). SBB Research Group Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/sbb-research-group-foundation-morg_f9f252ad53af461f8b8150f6ce51061f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_873075769_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{SBB Research Group Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/sbb-research-group-foundation-morg_f9f252ad53af461f8b8150f6ce51061f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 SBB Research Group 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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