Sethness Family Foundation

CHICAGO, IL EIN: 83-2750234

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

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

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

18states
+10 more states

Cities

ArdmoreBethlehemBoca RatonBooneBostonBradfordBrick TownshipCanyonChicagoConcordEnfieldFairfieldHammondHighland ParkIowa CityKansas CityLaguna HillsLake ZurichLakevilleLutherville

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.

Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$123K$245K$368K$491K20202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
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

$0$65K$130K$195K$261K37 grants202050 grants202151 grants202248 grants202348 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2024

CASE FOR SMILES$25KINTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE …$15KHOTCHKISS SCHOOL$10KSPECIAL OLYMPICS$10KNEW ENGLAND HANDICAPPED …$10KDIGS WITH DIGNITY$10KMEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING$10KNANTUCKET HISTORICAL ASS…$10KNEW LONDON BARN PLAYHOUSE$5KST ANDREWS SCHOOL$5K

Grant Size Distribution

233 grants across all recorded years

233<$50K$50–100K$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

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

NameTitleHoursCompensation
HOLLY M SETHNESSPRESIDENT/DIR0.2
ELIZABETH S WALCHERVICE-PRES/DIR0.2
CHARLOTTE H SETHNESSTREASURER/DIR0.2
RANDALL ROMEISECRETARY/DIR0.2

Subject Areas

Focus areas based on grantmaking activity

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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