The Forsythe Family Foundation
The Forsythe Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in Northfield, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $4.0M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 3 grants totaling $2.6M. Net investment income was $97K.
The Forsythe Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Forsythe Family Foundation gave $2.6M across 3 grants in 2025 (avg $867K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,600,000
- +36.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 3
- +200.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $866,667
- -54.7% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $500,000
- Total assets
- $3,997,399
- +334.7% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (81% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
Who The Forsythe Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 3 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind ($2.0M). Together the top 3 received $2.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
8 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 5 grants of 8 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 3 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Forsythe Family Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−13%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $100K (2021) to $3.0M (2022). In 2025 it made 3 grants totaling $2.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind Chicago, IL | General Charitable | $2,000,000 |
| Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MD | General Charitable | $500,000 |
| Christian Life Church Mount Prospect, IL | General Charitable | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,997,399 | $5,703,183 | $2,624,648 | $2,600,000 | 3 | $2,610,005 | $96,591 | $138,650 |
| 2024 | $919,646 | $1,783,057 | $1,940,702 | $1,912,000 | 1 | $1,918,531 | $118,008 | $66,526 |
| 2023 | $1,077,291 | $3,606,872 | $2,304,517 | $2,200,000 | 1 | $2,210,225 | $1,840,240 | $54,761 |
| 2022 | $1,370,644 | $5,259,130 | $3,004,097 | $3,000,000 | 2 | $3,000,000 | $2,636,046 | $64,343 |
| 2021 | $1,582,357 | $55,278 | $134,211 | $100,000 | 1 | — | $51,761 | $92,950 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Forsythe Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $139K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Forsythe Family Foundation is led by Sandra C. Forsythe, President & Treasurer since 2023 (on filings since 2021); none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Sandra C. Forsythe
President & Treasurer
Vice President → President & Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Mary C. Forsythe
Vice President
Secretary → Vice President, 2023
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Louis S. Harrison
Secretary
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Richard A. Forsythe (2021–2022) — President & Treasurer
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 Forsythe Family Foundation
How much does The Forsythe Family Foundation give each year?
The Forsythe Family Foundation gave $2.6M across 3 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.9M across 1 grant.
What is The Forsythe Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Forsythe Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $500,000, and its average grant was $866,667, across 3 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Forsythe Family Foundation give grants?
The Forsythe Family Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Maryland (19%).
Does The Forsythe Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Forsythe Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (3 of 3) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
How large is The Forsythe Family Foundation?
The Forsythe Family Foundation reported $4.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $139K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What is The Forsythe Family Foundation's EIN?
The Forsythe Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3814306. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 22, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 10, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
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