The Buchanan Family Foundation
The Buchanan Family Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) foundation established in 1967 and based in Lake Forest, Illinois. The foundation operates as a family grantmaking organization focused on supporting charitable causes across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$2.5M
+11.6% YoY
Grant Count
158
+7.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
+3.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's giving priorities include:
- Cultural programs
- Hospitals and health associations
- Education
- Social services
- Community funds
- Environmental associations
- Philanthropy and voluntarism
The foundation has a particular emphasis on funding in Illinois, New York, and Florida.
Grantmaking
Since 2017, the foundation has awarded 848 individual grants totaling $16,482,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, New York, and Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2023:
- Total Assets: $37,115,197
- Total Revenue: $1,374,201
- Total Expenses: $2,413,961
- Total Liabilities: $0
Contact Information:
- Address: 222 E Wisconsin Ave Ste 308, Lake Forest, IL 60045-1723
- Telephone: 847-234-0235
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include American Red Cross- North Carolina ($50,000), Avon Old Farms School ($50,000), Companion Animal Clinic Foundation ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 4 HOOVES LARGE ANIMAL SERVICES - NORTH CAROLINA BISCOE, NC | HURRICANE HELENE/MILTON RELIEF | $20,000 |
| ACLU FOUNDATION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL, OPERATING, ENDOWMENT OR CAPITAL. | $10,000 |
| ADLER PLANETARIUM CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL, OPERATING, ENDOWMENT OR CAPITAL. | $10,000 |
| ASAR TRAINING AND RESPONSE PAOLA, KS | HURRICANE HELENE/MILTON RELIEF | $10,000 |
| ADVOCATE LUTHERAN GENERAL HOSPITAL CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL, OPERATING, ENDOWMENT OR CAPITAL. | $30,000 |
| ALLIANCE FOR THE GREAT LAKES CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL, OPERATING, ENDOWMENT OR CAPITAL. | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL, OPERATING, ENDOWMENT OR CAPITAL. | $10,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS- NORTH CAROLINA CHARLOTTE, NC | HURRICANE HELENE/MILTON RELIEF | $50,000 |
| ANGELS OF LIGHT CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL, OPERATING, ENDOWMENT OR CAPITAL. | $5,000 |
| ANN & ROBERT LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL, OPERATING, ENDOWMENT OR CAPITAL. | $10,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Kenneth H Buchanan – President (compensation: $75,000 as of 2023)
- Charles F Kane Jr. – Treasurer (compensation: $25,000 as of 2022)
- Martha R Hinchman – Trustee
The foundation has 1 employee on staff.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KENNETH H BUCHANAN | PRESIDENT | 40 | $75,000 |
| CHARLES F KANE JR | TREASURER | 40 | $25,000 |
| MARGAUX BUCHANAN | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| HUNT ELDRIDGE III | VICE-PRESIDENT | 2 | — |
| BRIAN K JONES | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| PERRIN B MARTIN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Buchanan Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's giving priorities include: • Cultural programs • Hospitals and health associations • Education • Social services • Community funds • Environmental associations • Philanthropy and voluntarism The foundation has a particular emphasis on funding in Illinois, New York, and Florida.
How do I apply for a grant from The Buchanan Family Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 129 grants in 2023 • Total giving in 2023: $2,237,000 • Typical award range: $1,000–$160,000 **Recent Grant Examples (2023):** • Trustees of Purdue University: $50,000 • Tall Pines Conservancy: $50,000 • Max McGraw Wildlife Foundation: $35,000 **Historical Giving:** Since 2017, the foundation has awarded 848 individual grants totaling $16,482,000.
Where does The Buchanan Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, New York, and Florida.
What size grants does The Buchanan Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Buchanan Family Foundation awarded 158 grants totaling $2.5M — an average of about $16K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Buchanan Family Foundation's EIN?
The Buchanan Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6160998. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Buchanan Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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