The Baker Foundation
The Baker Foundation is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $59K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $5K. Net investment income was $2K.
The Baker Foundation at a glance
In short: The Baker Foundation gave $5K across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $5K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,000
- +150.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $5,000
- +150.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $58,534
- -54.5% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Baker Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Ravinia Festival Association ($5K).
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 8 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2025 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
Cities
How The Baker Foundation gives
- Giving fell 64% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 155% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2K (2024) to $14K (2022). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $5K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ravinia Festival Association Highland Park, IL | Civic and Educational | $5,000 |
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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 | $58,534 | $-65,490 | $6,500 | $5,000 | 1 | $5,000 | $1,972 | $3,226 |
| 2024 | $128,648 | $4,043 | $3,790 | $2,000 | 1 | $2,000 | $4,043 | $3,609 |
| 2023 | $128,395 | $3,660 | $8,751 | $6,000 | 2 | $6,000 | $3,660 | $3,749 |
| 2022 | $133,486 | $10,532 | $18,841 | $13,700 | 2 | $13,700 | $10,532 | $4,343 |
| 2021 | $141,439 | $5,023 | $2,595 | $2,500 | 2 | $2,500 | $4,928 | $4,478 |
| 2020 | $139,011 | $-5,239 | $8,399 | $2,500 | 1 | — | $4,821 | $4,011 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Baker Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Baker Foundation is led by Paul Baker, Chariman, President & Treasurer on every filing since 2020; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Paul Baker
Chariman, President & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Karen Lowenstein
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Jacqueline F Baker
Secretary
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 Baker Foundation
How much does The Baker Foundation give each year?
The Baker Foundation gave $5K across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2K across 1 grant.
How large is The Baker Foundation?
The Baker Foundation reported $59K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
Where does The Baker Foundation operate?
The Baker Foundation has awarded grants in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Pennsylvania.
What is The Baker Foundation's EIN?
The Baker Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-2178893. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Baker Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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