The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn
The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $480K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 4 grants totaling $28K. Net investment income was $45K.
The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn at a glance
In short: The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn gave $28K across 4 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in Wisconsin. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $27,894
- +5.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 4
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $6,974
- +5.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $3,099
- Total assets
- $480,308
- +3.0% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Wisconsin (89% 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 Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 4 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was United Presbyterian & First Congregational Church ($19K). Together the top 4 received $28K.
Grant Size Distribution
20 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 20 grants of 20 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 4 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−9%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 98% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $27K (2024) to $31K (2022). In 2025 it made 4 grants totaling $28K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| United Presbyterian & First Congregational Church Ashland, WI | Program Support | $18,597 |
| Alzheimer's Association Chicago, IL | Program Support | $3,099 |
| Northland College Ashland, WI | Program Support | $3,099 |
| The Ashland Foundation Ashland, WI | Program Support | $3,099 |
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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 | $480,308 | $49,170 | $35,343 | $27,894 | 4 | $31,428 | $44,811 | $32,228 |
| 2024 | $466,457 | $19,669 | $33,224 | $26,515 | 4 | $29,759 | $15,224 | $31,138 |
| 2023 | $480,154 | $11,780 | $36,414 | $29,307 | 4 | $32,395 | $9,571 | $29,603 |
| 2022 | $505,105 | $36,313 | $37,715 | $30,805 | 4 | $34,136 | $27,898 | $32,640 |
| 2021 | $506,733 | $17,611 | $33,910 | $27,036 | 4 | — | $9,214 | $34,174 |
| 2020 | $523,054 | $12,356 | $33,474 | $26,711 | 4 | — | $3,528 | $30,277 |
| 2019 | $544,137 | $18,372 | $34,527 | $27,889 | 4 | — | $13,756 | $29,943 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn reported a distributable amount of $32K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn's only listed officer is BMO Bank NA, Trustee on every filing since 2024 (compensated).
Officers on the 2025 filing
BMO Bank NA
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
$6K (2024) → $7K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: BMO Harris Bank NA (2019–2023) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $7K, to BMO Bank NA (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn
How much does The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn give each year?
The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn gave $28K across 4 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $27K across 4 grants.
What is The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn's typical grant size?
The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn's median grant in 2025 was $3,099, and its average grant was $6,974, across 4 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn give grants?
The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn gives mostly in Wisconsin: 89% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Ashland, WI (3 grants).
Does The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 4 grants with a stated purpose on The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (4 grants).
How large is The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn?
The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn reported $480K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $31K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $32K (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What is The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn's EIN?
The Melvin & Frances Kirby Fdn's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 39-6713131. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 7, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 21, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 5, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
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