The Acorn Foundation
The Acorn Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its 2025 filing reports 29 grants totaling $43,700 to charitable organizations, including organizations in education, culture, human services, environmental work, advocacy, and museums.
The Acorn Foundation at a glance
In short: The Acorn Foundation gave $44K across 29 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), top state Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $43,700
- -49.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 29
- -12.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,507
- -42.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $414,631
- -10.9% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (41% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Acorn Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: Cottle 1160 S Michigan Ave 3002, Chicago, IL 60605
Phone: (312) 663-1160
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Acorn Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Museum of Science and Industry ($8K). Together the top 10 received $26K.
Grant Size Distribution
95 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 95 grants of 95 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 41% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 16% to New York, 10% to California, 6% to Maine, and 6% to Iowa. The listed recipients also include organizations in Wisconsin, Tennessee, Washington, D.C., Michigan, and other locations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Acorn Foundation gives
- 93% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−3%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 156% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $40K (2021) to $87K (2024). In 2025 it made 29 grants totaling $44K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Museum of Science and Industry Chicago, IL | MUSEUM | $8,000 |
| Colby College Waterville, ME | Educational | $2,500 |
| Depaul College Prep Chicago, IL | Educational | $2,500 |
| The Fund for Sarah Lawrence - Sarah Lawrence College Bronxville, NY | Educational | $2,500 |
| University of Iowa Foundation Iowa City, IA | Educational | $2,500 |
| Organiceye La Farge, WI | Advocacy | $2,400 |
| Charitywater Franklin, TN | Environmental | $2,000 |
| Latin School of Chicago Chicago, IL | Educational | $1,500 |
| Action Against Hunger-USA New York, NY | Human Services | $1,200 |
| Hillel International Washington, DC | Human Services | $1,200 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $414,631 | $1,153 | $51,660 | $43,700 | 29 | $47,437 | — | $30,330 |
| 2024 | $465,138 | $1,141 | $92,315 | $87,000 | 33 | $89,415 | — | $32,667 |
| 2023 | $556,312 | $-32,928 | $17,804 | — | — | $8,660 | — | $34,977 |
| 2022 | $607,044 | $6,840 | $45,814 | $45,000 | 32 | $45,025 | $6,235 | $39,512 |
| 2021 | $646,018 | $23,167 | $46,764 | $40,000 | 1 | $42,965 | $18,836 | $46,727 |
| 2020 | $669,615 | $12,243 | $55,829 | $47,500 | 28 | — | $8,004 | $34,370 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Acorn Foundation reported a distributable amount of $30K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for schools and colleges, arts and cultural institutions, human services organizations, and organizations working on environmental and advocacy issues. The Latin School of Chicago describes its mission as providing a rigorous, innovative educational program that embraces diversity and inspires students to lead lives of purpose and excellence. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association says its mission is to enrich, inspire, and transform lives through music, community engagement, and education.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 29 grants totaling $43,700. Grants ranged from $500 to $8,000, with a median of $1,000. The largest listed grants were $8,000 to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago for museum purposes; $2,500 each to Colby College, DePaul College Prep, the Fund for Sarah Lawrence, and the University of Iowa Foundation for educational purposes; and $2,400 to OrganicEye for advocacy.
Other listed 2025 recipients include Charity:Water ($2,000), Latin School of Chicago ($1,500), Action Against Hunger-USA ($1,200), Hillel International ($1,200), the Actors’ Fund of America ($1,200), and the Jarrett Meeker Foundation ($1,200). The foundation also gave $1,000 each to Birthright Israel Foundation, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and $500 each to Interlochen Center for the Arts and the Adler Planetarium.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Ralph Wanger as president and Kathleen Tucker as treasurer. Directors listed are Eric David Wanger, Leonard Ralph Wanger, and Debra Jane Wanger.
The Acorn Foundation is led by Ralph Wanger, President on every filing since 2020; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Ralph Wanger
President
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Debra Jane Wanger
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Eric David Wanger
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Leonard Ralph Wanger
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Kathleen Tucker
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 The Acorn Foundation
How much does The Acorn Foundation give each year?
The Acorn Foundation gave $44K across 29 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $87K across 33 grants.
What is The Acorn Foundation's typical grant size?
The Acorn Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,507, across 29 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Acorn Foundation give grants?
The Acorn Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 41% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (16%) and California (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (10 grants), New York, NY (4 grants), San Diego, CA (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does The Acorn Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 29 grants with a stated purpose on The Acorn Foundation's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Educational" (10 grants), "Human Services" (5 grants) and "Cultural" (5 grants).
Who are The Acorn Foundation's largest grantees?
The Acorn Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Museum of Science and Industry ($8,000), Colby College ($2,500) and Depaul College Prep ($2,500), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 30% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Acorn Foundation?
The Acorn Foundation reported $415K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $47K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $30K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Acorn Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for schools and colleges, arts and cultural institutions, human services organizations, and organizations working on environmental and advocacy issues. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Acorn Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Acorn Foundation's EIN?
The Acorn Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3991208. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Acorn 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 October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 27, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 17, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 22, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 20, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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