The Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum is a public charity based in Lisle, Illinois, focused on trees, plants, research, education, conservation, and community engagement. Its work includes maintaining living plant collections, advancing tree science, sharing knowledge, and helping communities plant and care for urban tree canopies.
The Morton Arboretum at a glance
In short: The Morton Arboretum gave $1.1M across 48 grants in 2024 (avg $24K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,141,397
- +71.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 48
- +50.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $23,779
- +14.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $24,355
- Total assets
- $367,601,821
- +3.6% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (94% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Morton Arboretum
- Contact
Mailing address: 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL 60532-1293
Phone: (630) 968-0074
Website: https://mortonarb.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Morton Arboretum funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was City of Chicago ($75K). Together the top 10 received $491K.
Grant Size Distribution
145 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 131 grants of 145 (90%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Arboretum is based in Lisle, Illinois. In 2024, 94% of its grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois; the remaining shares went to Georgia (2%), Wisconsin (2%), Virginia (1%), and Michigan (1%). Its grant opportunities described here focus on Illinois communities, including disadvantaged communities and communities seeking to improve urban and community forestry.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 48 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Morton Arboretum gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $228K (2021) to $1.1M (2024). In 2024 it made 48 grants totaling $1.1M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| City of Chicago Chicago, IL | Cooperative Forestry Assistance | $75,000 |
| Roselle Park District Roselle, IL | Urban and Community Forestry | $73,443 |
| Chicago Horticultural Society Glencoe, IL | Managing Genetic Diversity in Botanic Garden Collections | $70,494 |
| Forest Preserve District of Cook County River Forest, IL | Urban and Community Forestry Support in Chicago Region | $55,000 |
| Openlands Chicago, IL | Expanding Tree Canopy to Reduce Stormwater Impacts | $51,414 |
| Hawthorn Woods Hawthorn Woods, IL | Urban and Community Forestry Support in Chicago Region | $40,000 |
| Village of Westchester Westchester, IL | Urban and Community Forestry | $40,000 |
| City of Naperville Naperville, IL | Urban and Community Forestry | $30,000 |
| Belvidere Township Park District Belvidere, IL | Urban and Community Forestry | $27,933 |
| Village of Beckemeyer Beckemeyer, IL | Urban and Community Forestry | $27,331 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $367,601,821 | $57,793,716 | $58,286,620 | $1,141,397 | 48 | $17,359,675 |
| 2023 | $354,910,949 | $45,149,282 | $52,201,196 | $667,110 | 32 | $7,791,466 |
| 2022 | $339,322,232 | $53,650,331 | $47,787,763 | $770,130 | 35 | $15,733,088 |
| 2021 | $374,122,908 | $64,971,405 | $40,941,761 | $228,356 | 10 | $18,714,455 |
| 2020 | $321,129,910 | $28,928,117 | $35,709,406 | $393,050 | 20 | $10,370,504 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Arboretum’s mission is to collect, study, display, and conserve trees and other plants from around the world to inspire learning, foster enjoyment, benefit communities, encourage action, and enhance the environment. Its work includes plant collections and gardens; learning and engagement programs; scientific research and conservation; and initiatives to improve urban trees and forests.
Grant opportunities administered through the Chicago Region Trees Initiative have supported activities such as tree planting, tree inventories, invasive-species removal, urban forest management planning, forest health, and community forestry programs. Program requirements vary. One Illinois program for tree inventories and invasive-species removal, for example, was limited to public entities and required a 1:1 match. A separate Tree Equity Grants RFP described funding for disadvantaged communities in Illinois and allowed local government entities and certain nonprofit organizations to apply.
The 2024 grants include support for public bodies and environmental and horticultural organizations. Among the grantees described in their own words, Openlands says it protects natural and open spaces in northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region; the Chicago Horticultural Society says it cultivates the power of plants to sustain and enrich life; and Faith in Place says it empowers people of diverse faiths and spiritualities to advance environmental and racial justice.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Arboretum reported 48 grants totaling $1,141,397. Grants ranged from $5,042 to $75,000, with a median of $24,355. The largest listed awards included $75,000 to the City of Chicago for cooperative forestry assistance; $73,443 to the Roselle Park District for urban and community forestry; and $70,494 to the Chicago Horticultural Society for managing genetic diversity in botanical garden collections. Other listed recipients included the Forest Preserve District of Cook County ($55,000), Openlands ($51,414), and Hawthorn Woods ($40,000), with purposes including urban forestry support and reducing stormwater impacts through tree canopy expansion.
The grantee descriptions also identify City Club of Chicago as receiving awards of $75,000 and $25,000 in 2024. City Club describes its mission as advancing open discussion of public policy and strengthening the region by convening civic-minded people across sectors. Friends of the Forest Preserve, which received $25,000, says it raises funds to help the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County manage natural areas and offer educational and recreational activities.
The Arboretum’s website presents grant opportunities and directs applicants to review each request for proposals for eligibility. It also offers free application assistance for grants administered through the Chicago Region Trees Initiative. Specific RFPs set their own eligible applicants, project requirements, and application materials.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Robert J. Schillerstrom as chair, Anna Caroline Ball as vice chair, E. James Dondlinger as treasurer, and Jamal J. Scott as secretary. Listed trustees include Kelly Powers Baria, Robert A. Bartlett Jr., Pat A. Basu, Walter W. Becky II, Barbara J. Bradford, and Christopher B. Burke.
The Morton Arboretum is led by Koski Jill, President & CEO on every filing since 2022; 18 of 42 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Koski Jill
President & CEO
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$139K (2022) → $566K (2024)
Robert J. Schillerstrom
Chair
Vice Chairman → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Barbara J. Bradford
Trustee
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles P. McQuaid
Trustee
Treasurer → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher B. Burke
Trustee
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark C. Gossett
Trustee
Trustee → Secretary, 2021
Secretary → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mary L. Burke
Trustee
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Harris
Trustee
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert A. Bartlett Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert L. Fealy
Trustee
Secretary → Trustee, 2021
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Stephen C. Van Arsdell
Trustee
Chairman → Chair, 2022
Chair → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Trisha L. Conley
Trustee
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Troy D. Hammond
Trustee
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Walter W. Becky II
Trustee
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Cahill
Trustee
On filings since 2021
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Pat A. Basu
Trustee
On filings since 2021
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andrew O. Johnson
Trustee
On filings since 2022
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ashesh Goel
Trustee
On filings since 2022
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert E. Kress
Trustee
On filings since 2022
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Curtis X. Reed
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Powers Baria
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Milan Mrksich
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bachtell Kris
Vp-Collections & Horticulture
Vp-Collections & Facilities → Vice President of Collections & Horticulture, 2023
Vice President of Collections & Horticulture → Vp-Collections & Horticulture, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$205K (2022) → $216K (2024)
Bautista Preston Wong
Vp-Learning & Engagement
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$207K (2022) → $222K (2024)
Donnelly Gerard
Special Advisor
President & CEO → Special Advisor, 2023
On filings since 2022
30 hrs/week
$927K (2022) → $235K (2024)
Dulceak Ronald
Dir-Facilities
Head of Facilities → Dir-Facilities, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$123K (2022) → $137K (2024)
Fawley James
Vp-Finance & CFO
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$276K (2022) → $209K (2024)
Lavire Alicia
Vp-Marketing & Guest Experience
Vp-Marketing & Communications → Vp-Marketing & Guest Experience, 2023
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$206K (2022) → $242K (2024)
Nolan Kelly
Dir-Major Gifts
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$141K (2022) → $155K (2024)
Ravichandran Sai P.
Dir-Information Technology
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$131K (2022) → $147K (2024)
Spiess Kathleen
Vp-Development
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$237K (2022) → $247K (2024)
Westwood Meredith
Vp-Science & Conservation
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$180K (2022) → $199K (2024)
Bailey Narissa
Vice President - People & Culture
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$199K (2024)
Cosner Anna C.
Dir-Guest Revenue Programs
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$158K (2024)
Gortner Vincent
Dir-Guest Experience & Safety
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$135K (2024)
Hipp Andrew L.
Dir-Herbarium & Senior Scientist
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$137K (2024)
Midgley Meghan
Dir-Center for Tree Science
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$147K (2024)
Reese Michael M.
Vp- Finance
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$170K (2024)
Stovall-Leonard Derek
CFO
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$54K (2024)
Anna Caroline Ball
Vice Chair
Trustee → Vice Chair, 2023
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
E. James Dondlinger
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2023
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamal J. Scott
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (21)
- Former: Cannon Charles (2022–2023) — Dir-Center for Tree Science
- Former: Peske Nancy (2022–2023) — Dir-Human Resources
- Former: Ross Susan (2023) — Assistant to the President
- Former: Amy Louis (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Chandra N. Prasad (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Kenneth Koranda (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Alicia Lavire (2020–2021) — Vp-Marketing & Communications
- Former: Charles Cannon (2020–2021) — Dir-Center for Tree Science
- Former: Gerard T. Donnelly PhD (2020–2021) — President & CEO
- Former: James S. Fawley (2020–2021) — Vp-Finance & CFO
- Former: Kathleen Spiess (2020–2021) — Vp-Development
- Former: Kelly Nolan (2020–2021) — Dir-Major Gifts
- Former: Kris Bachtell (2020–2021) — Vp-Collections & Facilities
- Former: Nancy Peske (2020–2021) — Dir-Human Resources
- Former: Nicole Cavender (2020–2021) — Vp-Science & Conservation
- Former: Preston Wong Bautista (2020–2021) — Vp-Learning & Engagement
- Former: Ronald Dulceak (2020–2021) — Head of Facilities
- Former: Sai Ravichandran (2020–2021) — Dir-Information Technology
- Former: Meredith Westwood (2021) — Vp-Science & Conservation
- Former: Dayle M. Gillett (2020) — Trustee
- Former: K'lynne Johnson (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $566K, to Koski Jill (President and CEO). 18 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Morton Arboretum
How much does The Morton Arboretum give each year?
The Morton Arboretum gave $1.1M across 48 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $667K across 32 grants.
What is The Morton Arboretum's typical grant size?
The Morton Arboretum's median grant in 2024 was $24,355, and its average grant was $23,779, across 48 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does The Morton Arboretum give grants?
The Morton Arboretum gives mostly in Illinois: 94% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (3 grants), Glencoe, IL (2 grants), Westchester, IL (2 grants) and River Forest, IL (2 grants).
Does The Morton Arboretum give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 48 grants with a stated purpose on The Morton Arboretum's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Urban and Community Forestry" (33 grants), "Urban and Community Forestry Support in Chicago Region" (6 grants) and "Managing Genetic Diversity in Botanic Garden Collections" (3 grants).
Who are The Morton Arboretum's largest grantees?
The Morton Arboretum's largest 2024 grantees include City of Chicago ($75,000), Roselle Park District ($73,443) and Chicago Horticultural Society ($70,494), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Morton Arboretum?
The Morton Arboretum reported $367.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $57.8M.
What does The Morton Arboretum fund?
The Arboretum’s mission is to collect, study, display, and conserve trees and other plants from around the world to inspire learning, foster enjoyment, benefit communities, encourage action, and enhance the environment. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Morton Arboretum?
The Morton Arboretum has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check mortonarb.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The Morton Arboretum's EIN?
The Morton Arboretum's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-1505770. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 5, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Morton Arboretum funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-morton-arboretum-morg_0039fadb043a4e94acc5e6c284a197a6
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_361505770_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Morton Arboretum funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-morton-arboretum-morg_0039fadb043a4e94acc5e6c284a197a6},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Morton Arboretum'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.
The Morton Arboretum down — hundreds of funders to go?