The Bielfeldt Foundation
The Bielfeldt Foundation is a private foundation based in Peoria Heights, Illinois. It made 13 grants totaling $345,000 in 2024, with all reported grant dollars going to recipients in Illinois.
The Bielfeldt Foundation at a glance
In short: The Bielfeldt Foundation gave $345K across 13 grants in 2024 (avg $27K), mostly in Illinois. 31% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $345,000
- +16.9% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 13
- +8.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $26,538
- +8.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $5,000
- Total assets
- $11,501,685
- +3.4% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (4 of 13, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Bielfeldt Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Request an application form from Carlotta Bielfeldt. The filing says eligible organizations might be organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, or scientific purposes and qualify as exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
- Contact
Application contact: Carlotta Bielfeldt
Mailing address: 4700 N Prospect Rd 10, Peoria Heights, IL 61616
Phone: (309) 685-6050
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Bielfeldt Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Carle Health Center for Philanthropy ($100K). Together the top 10 received $339K.
Grant Size Distribution
64 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 53 grants of 64 (83%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All reported 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois. The listed 2024 grantees are in Peoria, Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Bielfeldt Foundation open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 4 of 13 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. With only 13 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $47K; repeat grants $17K. How we count
Medians: $42K first-time, $3K repeat.
- 46% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 87% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $295K (2023) to $505K (2022). In 2024 it made 13 grants totaling $345K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Carle Health Center for Philanthropy Peoria, IL | Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health Center | $100,000 |
| Easterseals Central Illinois Peoria, IL | Centennial Capital Campaign | $55,000 |
| Greater Peoria Leadership Council Peoria, IL | General Operations | $50,000 |
| Heart of Illinois United Way Peoria, IL | Annual Campaign and Annual Support | $45,000 |
| Peoria Riverfront Museum Peoria, IL | Blockbusters, American president's exhibition, christmas in the village, & every student initiative | $42,000 |
| Bradley University Athletics Department Peoria, IL | Athletic Department/ Men's & Women's Basketball & Endowments | $34,500 |
| Central Illinois CASA Peoria, IL | General Operations | $5,000 |
| Midwest Food Bank Peoria, IL | General Operations | $2,500 |
| Peoria Public Schools Foundation Peoria, IL | Horizons | $2,500 |
| Salvation Army Peoria, IL | Tree of Lights | $2,500 |
Ready to take the next step with The Bielfeldt Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $11,501,685 | $654,619 | $588,028 | $345,000 | 13 | $503,328 | $573,422 | $575,472 |
| 2023 | $11,125,612 | $248,621 | $530,931 | $295,000 | 12 | $459,281 | $264,922 | $609,872 |
| 2022 | $11,726,194 | $545,497 | $747,735 | $505,002 | 13 | $661,907 | $461,669 | $604,494 |
| 2021 | $11,754,913 | $900,818 | $711,654 | $469,000 | 12 | $609,653 | $698,817 | $781,670 |
| 2020 | $11,638,242 | $355,247 | $565,320 | $340,000 | 14 | — | $265,670 | $612,321 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Bielfeldt Foundation reported a distributable amount of $575K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of purposes, including child and adolescent behavioral health, a capital campaign, general operations, education, community support, museum exhibitions and programs, and athletics.
Among its grantees, Easterseals Central Illinois says it provides services to help children with developmental delays, disabilities, and other special needs reach their full potential. Heart of Illinois United Way says its mission is to increase the organized capacity of people in central Illinois to care for one another. The Peoria Riverfront Museum says it aims to inspire lifelong learning by connecting art, history, science, and achievement through collections, exhibitions, and programs. The Peoria Public Schools Foundation says it raises and disburses supplemental funding to improve education for the benefit of students, staff, and alumni.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 13 grants totaling $345,000. Grant amounts ranged from $2,000 to $100,000, with a median grant of $5,000. Recent grantmaking totals were $295,000 across 12 grants in 2023 and $505,002 across 13 grants in 2022.
Notable 2024 grants included $100,000 to Carle Health Center for Philanthropy for a child and adolescent behavioral health center; $55,000 to Easterseals Central Illinois for its centennial capital campaign; $50,000 to Greater Peoria Leadership Council for general operations; $45,000 to Heart of Illinois United Way for its annual campaign and annual support; and $42,000 to Peoria Riverfront Museum for exhibitions, Christmas in the Village, and the Every Student Initiative.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robert Gates as president; Douglas S. Stewart as vice president; Gary Anna as secretary/treasurer; Carlotta Bielfeldt as executive director; and John Morris, Dave Murray, and Chris Reynolds as directors.
The Bielfeldt Foundation is led by Carlotta Bielfeldt, Executive Director on every filing since 2020; 1 of 7 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Carlotta Bielfeldt
Executive Director
On filings since 2020
37 hrs/week
$85K (2020) → $85K (2024)
Robert Gates
President
Director → President, 2023
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Reynolds
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dave Murray
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
John Morris
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Douglas S. Stewart
Vice President
President → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gary Anna
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: Jane B. Converse (2020–2023) — Director Emeritus
- Former: William R. Barrick (2020–2021) — Director Emeritus
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $85K, to Carlotta Bielfeldt (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Bielfeldt Foundation
How much does The Bielfeldt Foundation give each year?
The Bielfeldt Foundation gave $345K across 13 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $295K across 12 grants.
What is The Bielfeldt Foundation's typical grant size?
The Bielfeldt Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $5,000, and its average grant was $26,538, across 13 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Bielfeldt Foundation that year got $47K on average.
Where does The Bielfeldt Foundation give grants?
The Bielfeldt Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Peoria, IL (13 grants).
Does The Bielfeldt Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 46% of The Bielfeldt Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (6 of 13) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Bielfeldt Foundation's largest grantees?
The Bielfeldt Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Carle Health Center for Philanthropy ($100,000), Easterseals Central Illinois ($55,000) and Greater Peoria Leadership Council ($50,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 59% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Bielfeldt Foundation?
The Bielfeldt Foundation reported $11.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $503K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $575K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Bielfeldt Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants show support for a range of purposes, including child and adolescent behavioral health, a capital campaign, general operations, education, community support, museum exhibitions and programs, and athletics. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Bielfeldt Foundation?
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Bielfeldt Foundation's EIN?
The Bielfeldt Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-1188243. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
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 July 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 27, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 11, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Bielfeldt Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Doug and Diane Oberhelman Family Foundation
Edwards, IL
The foundation supports varied charitable work, including habitat conservation, community services, developmental services, education, outdoor recreation, museums, health care, and early learning, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Illinois and Tennessee. Its 34 grants ranged from $250 to $705,000, with a median of $10,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.7M
Grants
34
Total Given
$1.6M
Barton Family Foundation Dtd
Chicago, IL
The foundation’s 2025 grants supported Illinois organizations in areas including education, health care, arts and culture, and community services; these are observed recipient areas, not stated funding priorities. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $265,000, with a median of $2,000. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
29
Total Given
$924K
Gilmore Foundation
Peoria, IL
The Gilmore Foundation funds arts and culture, education, youth and human services, abuse prevention, shelters, and job creation through community infrastructure projects, primarily in Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford counties. Its 2025 grants ranged from $10,000 to $640,000, with a median of $50,000. It accepts inquiries without a formal application form or stated deadlines.
Assets
$65.6M
Grants
28
Total Given
$3.6M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Otto Baum Company Inc Foundation
Morton, IL
Assets
$193K
Grants
48
Total Given
$57K
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
$89.3M
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Bielfeldt Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-bielfeldt-foundation-morg_164c899b056840e8a2b777e35391475d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_371188243_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Bielfeldt Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-bielfeldt-foundation-morg_164c899b056840e8a2b777e35391475d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Bielfeldt 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.
The Bielfeldt Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?