The Sethness Family Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) philanthropic organization based in Chicago, Illinois. Designated as a grantmaking foundation, the organization supports diverse communities across the United States and internationally through charitable giving.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$2.8M
-5.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$192K
-0.8% YoY
Grant Count
48
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
-0.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sethness Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $213K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple sectors, including education, human services, and philanthropy and voluntarism. The foundation maintains a broad geographical and programmatic focus, supporting diverse communities and projects without restriction to specific subject areas.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 11 grants in the previous year, with typical award amounts ranging from $250 to $25,000. The average grant size is approximately $18,000, with a median grant amount also in this range. In 2023, the foundation distributed $193,500 in total giving.
Grant Range
is approximately $18,000, with a median grant amount also in this range. In 2023, the foundation distributed $193,500 in total giving.
Average Grant
is approximately $18,000, with a median grant amount also in this range. In 2023, the foundation distributed $193,500 in total giving.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Sethness Family Foundation supports a wide range of locations across the United States, including:
- California
- Illinois
- New Hampshire
- New York
- Washington
The foundation also supports international locations, including London.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $2,995,768
- Total Revenue: $218,176
- Total Expenses: $258,635
- Total Giving: $193,500
The foundation has maintained zero liabilities.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $2,819,684 | $2,995,768 | $3,036,227 |
| Revenue | $76,506 | $218,176 | $115,234 |
| Expenses | $252,590 | $258,635 | $319,814 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $192,000 | $193,500 | $260,500 |
| Net Investment Income | $33,607 | $181,241 | $2,752 |
| Distributable Amount | $212,648 | $183,756 | $195,433 |
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
233 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Case for Smiles ($25,000), International Committee of the Red ($15,000), Hotchkiss School ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ACHILLES INTERNATIONAL INC NEW YORK, NY | UNRESTRICTED | $2,000 |
| AUSBON SARGENT LAND PRESERVATION TR NEW LONDON, NH | UNRESTRICTED | $2,500 |
| THE FELLS NEWBURY, NH | UNRESTRICTED | $1,000 |
| GARDEN AT TRACY LIBRARY NEW LONDON, NH | UNRESTRICTED | $500 |
| HOTCHKISS SCHOOL LAKEVILLE, CT | UNRESTRICTED | $10,000 |
| JOHN'S ISLAND COMM SERVICE LEAGUE VERO BEACH, FL | UNRESTRICTED | $3,000 |
| KENT PLACE SCHOOL SUMMOT, NJ | UNRESTRICTED | $2,500 |
| LEHIGH UNIVERSITY BETHLEHEM, PA | UNRESTRICTED | $2,000 |
| LINCOLN PARK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY CHICAGO, IL | UNRESTRICTED | $2,500 |
| NEW LONDON BARN PLAYHOUSE NEW LONDON, NH | UNRESTRICTED | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation's leadership team serves without compensation:
- Holly M. Sethness — President/Director
- Ashley P. Gosnell Mody — Vice President
- Elizabeth B. Sethness — Vice President/Director
- Charlotte H. Sethness — Treasurer/Director
- Randall Romei — Secretary/Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOLLY M SETHNESS | PRESIDENT/DIR | 0.2 | — |
| ELIZABETH S WALCHER | VICE-PRES/DIR | 0.2 | — |
| CHARLOTTE H SETHNESS | TREASURER/DIR | 0.2 | — |
| RANDALL ROMEI | SECRETARY/DIR | 0.2 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Sethness Family Foundation fund?
The foundation supports initiatives across multiple sectors, including education, human services, and philanthropy and voluntarism. The foundation maintains a broad geographical and programmatic focus, supporting diverse communities and projects without restriction to specific subject areas.
How do I apply for a grant from Sethness Family Foundation?
The foundation made 11 grants in the previous year, with typical award amounts ranging from $250 to $25,000. The average grant size is approximately $18,000, with a median grant amount also in this range. In 2023, the foundation distributed $193,500 in total giving. The foundation is open to new applicants.
Where does Sethness Family Foundation make grants?
The Sethness Family Foundation supports a wide range of locations across the United States, including: • California • Illinois • New Hampshire • New York • Washington The foundation also supports international locations, including London.
What size grants does Sethness Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Sethness Family Foundation awarded 48 grants totaling $192K — an average of about $4K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Sethness Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Sethness Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $213K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Sethness Family Foundation's EIN?
Sethness Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-2750234. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Sethness Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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