The Bear Foundation
The Bear Foundation was founded for the purpose of raising charitable funds and making grants to organizations recognized as exempt from income tax under section 501(c)(3).
The Bear Foundation at a glance
- Total assets
- $151,635
- -3.2% vs 2024
- Revenue (2025)
- $146,951
- -29.5% vs 2024
- Expenses (2025)
- $147,451
- -15.9% vs 2024
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-EZ, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-EZ, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Bear Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
9 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 8 grants of 9 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
How The Bear Foundation gives
- Giving grew 546% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $25K (2021) to $162K (2024). In 2024 it made 7 grants totaling $162K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ascension Illinois Foundation Bolingbrook, IL | General Operations | $60,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Chicago Chicago, IL | General Operations | $45,000 |
| Swedish Covenant Hospital Foundation Chicago, IL | General Operations | $25,000 |
| Northwest Community Hospital Foundation Arlington Heights, IL | General Operations | $9,500 |
| Midwest Health Foundation Hindsale, IL | General Operations | $8,500 |
| Northwestern Memorial Foundation Chicago, IL | General Operations | $7,500 |
| Boys & Girls Club of North Central Illinois South Elgin, IL | General Operations | $6,100 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $151,635 | $146,951 | $147,451 | — | — | — |
| 2024 | $156,635 | $208,493 | $175,253 | $161,600 | 7 | $243 |
| 2023 | $103,895 | $195,066 | $134,154 | — | — | — |
| 2022 | $42,983 | $136,339 | $174,997 | — | — | — |
| 2021 | $81,641 | $109,011 | $46,274 | $25,000 | 2 | $11 |
| 2020 | $44,904 | $155,030 | $170,715 | $115,908 | 4 | $30 |
About The Bear Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Bear Foundation is a public charity, based in Rolling Meadows, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $152K in total assets.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Bear Foundation is led by George Wienold, President since 2024 (on filings since 2020); none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
George Wienold
President
President & Director → President, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Scott Kurinsky
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Adam Sandefur
Director
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Wienold
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: H. Dennis Hill (2020–2024) — Director
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 Bear Foundation
How large is The Bear Foundation?
The Bear Foundation reported $152K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-EZ. Its revenue that year was $147K.
Where does The Bear Foundation operate?
The Bear Foundation has awarded grants in Illinois, Montana, Texas.
What is The Bear Foundation's EIN?
The Bear Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 82-3616161. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 29, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-EZ for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 2, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-EZ for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 3, 2024)
- Added Form 990-EZ for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 13, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 2, 2022)
Live grants for the work The Bear Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Bear Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from The Bear Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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