The Lovey Project Inc
The Lovey Project Inc is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its website describes a mission centered on children’s mental wellness, with programming, events, and resources for children ages 3–13 and their families and communities.
The Lovey Project Inc at a glance
In short: The Lovey Project Inc gave $12K across 13 grants in 2025 (avg $928.923), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $12,076
- Grants made (2025)
- 13
- Average grant
- $929
- Median grant
- $314
- Total assets
- $399,110
- Primary geography
- Illinois (70% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Lovey Project Inc
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 303 West Madison Street 1000, Chicago, IL 60606-3321
Phone: (312) 263-8600
Website: https://theloveyproject.org/
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Lovey Project Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Community House ($4K). Together the top 10 received $12K.
Grant Size Distribution
13 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 13 grants of 13 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 70% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 11% to Massachusetts, 10% to Maryland, 4% to California, and 3% to New York. The listed grants also included recipients in South Carolina and Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 13 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Lovey Project Inc gives
- In 2025 it paid out 207% of 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
In 2025 it made 13 grants totaling $12K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Community House Hinsdale, IL | Mental health, young development and community recreation | $3,985 |
| Hephzibah Childrens Association Oak Park, IL | Family and child services | $2,750 |
| Operation Paperback Inc Dunstable, MA | Child educational support | $1,280 |
| Tryall Fund Jamaica Baltimore, MD | Family and child services | $1,200 |
| Mercy Home for Children Inc Chicago, IL | Child educational support | $1,000 |
| Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators Santa Monica, CA | Child educational support | $500 |
| Child Mind Institute Inc New York, NY | Child educational support | $314 |
| Mountain View Elementary Taylors, SC | Child educational support | $280 |
| DuPage PADS Inc Wheaton, IL | Individual and family housing services | $257 |
| HCS Family Services Hinsdale, IL | Family nutritional support | $250 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $399,110 | $468,469 | $94,771 | $12,076 | 13 | $12,076 | $5,834 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Lovey Project Inc reported a distributable amount of $6K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Lovey Project says its mission is to provide children and caregivers with skill-based learning and free-range play opportunities that support mental wellness and self-care. Its website describes stuffed animals, or “Loveys,” as sources of constancy and emotional support, and lists programming, events, online resources, and social media campaigns as ways it pursues its mission.
Its 2025 grants went to organizations and programs addressing child and family services, child education, mental health and development, housing, nutrition, and medical services. For example, Hephzibah Children’s Association describes its own mission as providing group home care, foster care, and daycare to help children thrive and families flourish. Child Mind Institute describes its mission as helping children and families dealing with mental health and learning disorders. DuPage P.A.D.S. says it is committed to ending homelessness in DuPage County, while HCS Family Services says it works to reduce hunger and promote self-sufficiency.
Grantmaking
In 2025, The Lovey Project reported 13 grants totaling $12,076. Grants ranged from $60 to $3,985, with a median grant of $314.
Notable 2025 grants included $3,985 to Community House for mental health, youth development, and community recreation; $2,750 to Hephzibah Children’s Association for family and child services; $1,280 to Operation Paperback for child educational support; $1,200 to Tryall Fund Jamaica for family and child services; and $1,000 to Mercy Home for Children for child educational support. Other listed grants included $314 to Child Mind Institute, $257 to DuPage PADS, and $250 to HCS Family Services.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Jennifer R. Dean as president and director, John F. Dean as treasurer and director, and Michael T. Dean as director.
The Lovey Project Inc is led by Jennifer R Dean, President & Director on the 2025 filing; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jennifer R Dean
President & Director
New on the 2025 filing
54 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John F Dean
Treasurer & Director
New on the 2025 filing
2.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael T Dean
Director
New on the 2025 filing
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 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 Lovey Project Inc
How much does The Lovey Project Inc give each year?
The Lovey Project Inc gave $12K across 13 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is The Lovey Project Inc's typical grant size?
The Lovey Project Inc's median grant in 2025 was $314, and its average grant was $929, across 13 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Lovey Project Inc give grants?
The Lovey Project Inc gives mostly in Illinois: 70% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Massachusetts (11%) and Maryland (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Hinsdale, IL (2 grants) and Chicago, IL (2 grants).
Does The Lovey Project Inc give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 13 grants with a stated purpose on The Lovey Project Inc's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Child educational support" (5 grants) and "Family and child services" (3 grants).
Who are The Lovey Project Inc's largest grantees?
The Lovey Project Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Community House ($3,985), Hephzibah Childrens Association ($2,750) and Operation Paperback Inc ($1,280), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 66% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Lovey Project Inc?
The Lovey Project Inc reported $399K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $12K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Lovey Project Inc fund?
The Lovey Project says its mission is to provide children and caregivers with skill-based learning and free-range play opportunities that support mental wellness and self-care. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Lovey Project Inc?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Lovey Project Inc's EIN?
The Lovey Project Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-4803025. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2025.
Does The Lovey Project Inc accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS June 25, 2026)
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Figures come from The Lovey Project Inc'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.
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