Special People in Need
Special People in Need (SPIN) is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 1987. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entity and functions as a family foundation focused on grantmaking to nonprofit organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.3M
-3.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$375K
+21.0% YoY
Grant Count
75
+7.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$5K
+12.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Special People in Need reported a distributable amount of $379K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Special People in Need's primary mission is to assist economically needy disabled individuals seeking to improve themselves. The foundation awards grants to qualified nonprofit organizations operating in the following fields:
- Education
- Health
- Assistance to persons with disabilities
The foundation also awards scholarships and fellowships to financially needy and handicapped students.
Grantmaking
In 2023, Special People in Need made 82 grants totaling approximately $249,500 in grant distributions. Typical grant awards range from $750 to $35,000.
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, Colorado, and Montana.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $3,449,897
- Total Revenue: $327,160
- Total Expenses: $384,279
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Investment Income and Dividends: $95,958
Staff: The foundation operates with 0 employees as of 2023.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,344,644 | $3,449,897 | $3,503,016 |
| Revenue | $331,855 | $327,160 | $417,228 |
| Expenses | $437,062 | $384,279 | $389,582 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $408,404 | $356,127 | $358,763 |
| Net Investment Income | $306,258 | $306,555 | $391,767 |
| Distributable Amount | $378,695 | $340,991 | $341,895 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Disabled Patriots Fund ($7,000), Can Do Canines Assistance Dogs ($6,500), Canine Support Teams ($6,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A SPECIAL PURPOSE BROKEN ARROW, OK | GENERAL | $4,000 |
| ACCESS LIVING CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL | $5,000 |
| ALICE LLOYD COLLEGE PIPPA PASSES, KY | GENERAL | $4,500 |
| AMERICAN SAMARITANS HOMER GLEN, IL | GENERAL | $6,000 |
| ANIXTER CENTER CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL | $3,500 |
| ANSONIA MUSIC OUTREACH NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL | $3,000 |
| ASCENDIGO AUSTISM SERVICES INC CARBONDALE, CO | GENERAL | $3,910 |
| ATLAS ASSISTANCE DOGS OBELLEVUE, WA | GENERAL | $2,500 |
| BERNIE'S BOOK BANK LAKE BLUFF, IL | GENERAL | $5,000 |
| BETHESDA CARES BETHESDA, MD | GENERAL | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sarah M Linsley — Secretary (as of May 2023)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOLLY M GERBAZ | DIR/CHAIR | 0.5 | — |
| LESLIE H MORNINGSTAR | DIR/VP | 0.5 | — |
| LARRY D GERBAZ | DIR/VP | 0.5 | — |
| TERRY A SKWORCH | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| LYDIA T WHITEHEAD | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| LESLIE ANN GERBAZ-BLUE | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| ANNE K MORNINGSTAR | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| SARAH M LINSLEY | DIR/SECRETARY | 5 | — |
| HEIDI KIMMEL | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| JERMEY GERBAZ | DIRECTOR | 0.5 | — |
| PATRICK J BITTERMAN | TREASURER | 0.5 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Special People in Need fund?
Special People in Need's primary mission is to assist economically needy disabled individuals seeking to improve themselves. The foundation awards grants to qualified nonprofit organizations operating in the following fields: • Education • Health • Assistance to persons with disabilities The foundation also awards scholarships and fellowships to financially needy and handicapped students.
How do I apply for a grant from Special People in Need?
**Grant Activity:** In 2023, Special People in Need made 82 grants totaling approximately $249,500 in grant distributions. Typical grant awards range from $750 to $35,000. **Recent Grants (2023):** Notable grants awarded include: • Samaritan's Purse: $10,000 • Disabled Patriot Fund: $7,000 • Manna Food Center: $7,000 **Application Process:** Organizations seeking grants must demonstrate a strong need for the program and show that their work aligns with the foundation's focus areas of education,…
Where does Special People in Need make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, Colorado, and Montana.
What size grants does Special People in Need award?
In 2024, Special People in Need awarded 75 grants totaling $375K — an average of about $5K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Special People in Need required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Special People in Need reported a distributable amount of $379K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Special People in Need's EIN?
Special People in Need's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 58-1483651. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Special People in Need'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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