The Big Ten Conference Inc
The Big Ten Conference Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Rosemont, Illinois (with additional address listed as Des Plaines, IL). Founded in 1896, the organization is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. The Big Ten Conference sponsors 28 official sports—14 for men and 14 for women—and provides direct financial support for more than 14,000 student-athletes across its 18 member institutions. The organization has maintained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in student-athletes' lives while emphasizing the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$292.3M
-17.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$882.8M
+4.6% YoY
Grant Count
14
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$63.1M
+4.6% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Big Ten Conference's mission centers on supporting world-class universities in advancing research, education, and public service while prioritizing academics in the lives of student-athletes.
In August 2022, the organization established the Big Ten Foundation as a charitable giving entity to serve youth and focus on academic, physical, and mental wellbeing across the Big Ten Conference footprint. The Foundation provides grants to nonprofits in the conference footprint that align with its mission to encourage, educate and empower young students in the areas of academics, life skills, and physical and mental wellbeing. The Foundation specifically targets K-6 nonprofits with educational resources and tools for students to build responsible and balanced lifestyles.
Grantmaking
The Big Ten Foundation was announced in August 2022 with a proposed timeline to begin carrying out grantmaking programs in 2023. According to available financial data, the organization reported total giving of $883,001,567 based on its most recent IRS Form 990 filing for 2024.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Big Ten Conference's grantmaking activities focus primarily on the Big Ten Conference footprint, with particular emphasis on Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of June 2024:
- Total Assets: $292,276,335
- Total Revenue: $928,000,000
- Total Expenses: $942,000,000
- Total Liabilities: $79,100,000
- Total Giving: $883,001,567
The organization has been tax-exempt since September 1937 and holds EIN 36-3640583. The organization reported providing first-class or charter travel to key employees or officers and reported conflict of interest transactions on its tax filings.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $292,276,335 | $352,880,095 | $336,066,093 |
| Revenue | $928,147,866 | $879,863,132 | $845,640,731 |
| Expenses | $942,180,253 | $897,426,388 | $851,246,629 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $58,046,285 | $32,580,075 | $24,962,124 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
70 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Purdue University ($63,619,632), University of Illinois ($63,419,631), Michigan State University ($63,319,632).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHAMPAIGN, IL | TO SUPPORT THE MISSIONS OF MEMBER INSTITUTIONS | $63,419,631 |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY BLOOMINGTON, IN | TO SUPPORT THE MISSIONS OF MEMBER INSTITUTIONS | $63,244,631 |
| UNIVERSITY OF IOWA IOWA CITY, IA | TO SUPPORT THE MISSIONS OF MEMBER INSTITUTIONS | $63,244,631 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND-COLLEGE PARK COLLEGE PARK, MD | TO SUPPORT THE MISSIONS OF MEMBER INSTITUTIONS | $61,502,993 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ANN ARBOR, MI | TO SUPPORT THE MISSIONS OF MEMBER INSTITUTIONS | $63,244,631 |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EAST LANSING, MI | TO SUPPORT THE MISSIONS OF MEMBER INSTITUTIONS | $63,319,632 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MINNEAPOLIS, MN | TO SUPPORT THE MISSIONS OF MEMBER INSTITUTIONS | $63,244,632 |
| UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA-LINCOLN LINCOLN, NE | TO SUPPORT THE MISSIONS OF MEMBER INSTITUTIONS | $63,319,632 |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY EVANSTON, IL | TO SUPPORT THE MISSIONS OF MEMBER INSTITUTIONS | $63,319,632 |
| OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY COLUMBUS, OH | TO SUPPORT THE MISSIONS OF MEMBER INSTITUTIONS | $63,244,632 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Big Ten Conference Commissioner Kevin Warren formed the Big Ten Foundation with the support of the Big Ten Conference Council of Presidents and Chancellors. Warren emphasized the organization's commitment to supporting young students within the Big Ten Conference footprint, stating the Foundation would help fuel the hopes and dreams of future leaders and difference-makers by funding their academic success and physical and mental wellbeing.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEELI BENDAPUDI | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| PAMELA WHITTEN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JONATHAN HOLLOWAY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ROBERT J JONES JR | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| DARRYLL PINES | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| BARBARA WILSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TERESA WOODRUFF | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MICHAEL SCHILL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JENNIFER MNOOKIN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SANTA ONO | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MUNG CHIANG | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JEFFREY ETTINGER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TED CARTER | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| PETER MOHLER END 123123 | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LAURA ANDERSON | CFO/TREASURER | 40 | $398,279 |
| CHAD HAWLEY | SECRETARY | 40 | $300,860 |
| TONY PETITTI START 51523 | COMMISSIONER | 40 | $2,622,712 |
| DIANA SABAU END 8123 | DEPUTY COMMISSIONER, CHIEF SPORTS OFFICER | 40 | $364,848 |
| NATHANIEL SCHNADER END 63024 | CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER | 40 | $388,243 |
| ANIL GOLLAHALLI | GENERAL COUNSEL | 40 | $517,907 |
| KERRY KENNY | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $468,520 |
| OMAR BROWN | SVP, COMMUNITY & IMPACT | 40 | $258,174 |
| KRISTINA JOHNSON END 111322 | FORMER DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JOAN GABEL END 6923 | FORMER DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| RONALD GREEN END 63023 | FORMER DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MITCH DANIELS END 1123 | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| JAMES E DELANY | FORMER COMMISSIONER | — | $3,031,283 |
| KEVIN WARREN END 41423 | FORMER COMMISSIONER | — | $6,829,136 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In December 2024, the Big Ten Conference and Abbott announced a partnership involving a $1 million grant related to a blood drive initiative.
Big Ten, Abbott partner for $1 million grantThe organization maintains a three-star rating based on its Accountability & Finance score of 81%, indicating strong financial management and transparency practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Big Ten Conference Inc fund?
The Big Ten Conference's mission centers on supporting world-class universities in advancing research, education, and public service while prioritizing academics in the lives of student-athletes. In August 2022, the organization established the Big Ten Foundation as a charitable giving entity to serve youth and focus on academic, physical, and mental wellbeing across the Big Ten Conference footprint. The Foundation provides grants to nonprofits in the conference footprint that align with its mi…
How do I apply for a grant from The Big Ten Conference Inc?
The Big Ten Foundation was announced in August 2022 with a proposed timeline to begin carrying out grantmaking programs in 2023. According to available financial data, the organization reported total giving of $883,001,567 based on its most recent IRS Form 990 filing for 2024. The Foundation's grantmaking focuses on Education, Human Services, and Health Care, with typical awards ranging from $54,589,549 to $63,619,632. The organization was working to establish the Foundation's full board, appoi…
Where does The Big Ten Conference Inc make grants?
The Big Ten Conference's grantmaking activities focus primarily on the Big Ten Conference footprint, with particular emphasis on Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois.
What size grants does The Big Ten Conference Inc award?
In 2024, The Big Ten Conference Inc awarded 14 grants totaling $882.8M — an average of about $63.1M per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Big Ten Conference Inc's EIN?
The Big Ten Conference Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3640583. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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