The Cornerstone Foundation Inc
Responding to the gospel, the Cornerstone Foundation is the endowment ensuring the ministries and future of lutheran social services of Illinois (LSSI). The Cornerstone Foundation is responsible for developing active support for the social services provided by LSSI. LSSI touches the lives of tens of thousands of people each year, serving people of all ages, races, religious, and economic circumstances. LSSI has more than 190 programs at more than 80 sites in the state of Illinois. These programs care for senior adults, strengthen families, help children and adults during times of crisis, and assist those who have challenges related to developmental disabilities or addiction problems.
The Cornerstone Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: The Cornerstone Foundation Inc gave $1.2M across 1 grant in 2025 (avg $1.2M), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,200,039
- +41.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,200,039
- +41.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,200,039
- Total assets
- $32,201,550
- +8.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Cornerstone Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Lutheran Social Services of Illinois ($1.2M).
Grant Size Distribution
6 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $250–500K range: 2 grants of 6 (33%).
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 Cornerstone Foundation Inc gives
- Giving grew 115% from 2022 to 2025. 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $365K (2021) to $1.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 1 grant totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lutheran Social Services of Illinois Des Plaines, IL | Support of Social Services | $1,200,039 |
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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 | $32,201,550 | $1,640,173 | $1,339,645 | $1,200,039 | 1 | $1,405,515 |
| 2024 | $29,632,259 | $3,237,849 | $959,992 | $849,847 | 1 | $793,433 |
| 2023 | $24,541,629 | $1,877,324 | $687,957 | $580,386 | 1 | $492,761 |
| 2022 | $21,575,495 | $2,125,942 | $630,305 | $558,331 | 2 | $305,556 |
| 2021 | $22,910,792 | $753,222 | $453,201 | $365,337 | 1 | $242,420 |
| 2020 | $20,863,285 | $513,599 | $828,467 | $727,576 | 1 | $256,090 |
About The Cornerstone Foundation Inc
Based on IRS filings
The Cornerstone Foundation Inc is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Des Plaines, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $32.2M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 1 grant totaling $1.2M. Net investment income was $1.4M.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Cornerstone Foundation Inc is led by Mark A. Stutrud, CEO on every filing since 2020; none of the 24 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mark A. Stutrud
CEO
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pr Michel Clark
Chairperson
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bonalynn Wallach
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Price
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Connie Frankenfeld
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jon A. Theeke Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marcia A. Anderson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nancy Nagel
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pr Art Puotinen
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pr Greg Busboom
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pr John Freidheim
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Roland Person
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ronald Kok-Alblas
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen Bishop
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Bernardi
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Gilpin
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Bill S. Fleck
Trustee
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David K. Wilds
Director of Treasury Services
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mark Tomaw
Trustee
On filings since 2021
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol A. Poplawski
Vice Chairperson
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Novak
Vice President of Advancement
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Sroga
Vice President Finance & CFO
Vice President Finance, CFO & Treasurer → Vice President Finance & CFO, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Ann Smith
Secretary
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thomas Cunniff
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Dottie Garrity Exec Dir (2023) — Strategic Information
- Former: Dottie Garrity (2020–2022) — Executive Director Strategic Information
- Former: Leona Peterson-Spear (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Thomas J. Kelly (2020) — Director of Treasury Services
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 Cornerstone Foundation Inc
How much does The Cornerstone Foundation Inc give each year?
The Cornerstone Foundation Inc gave $1.2M across 1 grant in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $850K across 1 grant.
How large is The Cornerstone Foundation Inc?
The Cornerstone Foundation Inc reported $32.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.6M.
What is The Cornerstone Foundation Inc?
The Cornerstone Foundation Inc is a public charity focused on Human Services, based in Des Plaines, IL. It holds $32.2M in total assets as of 2025.
Where does The Cornerstone Foundation Inc operate?
The Cornerstone Foundation Inc has awarded grants in Illinois, Minnesota.
What is The Cornerstone Foundation Inc's EIN?
The Cornerstone Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3289363. 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
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 17, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS February 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 31, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 16, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work The Cornerstone Foundation Inc funds
Human Services Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Cornerstone Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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More similar funders
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