The Orbit Fund
The Orbit Fund is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $292K in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 8 grants totaling $13K. Net investment income was $5K.
The Orbit Fund at a glance
In short: The Orbit Fund gave $13K across 8 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $12,500
- +4.2% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 8
- +60.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,563
- -34.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,500
- Total assets
- $291,954
- -4.8% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (84% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who The Orbit Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was The Renaissance Society ($3K). Together the top 8 received $13K.
Grant Size Distribution
40 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 40 grants of 40 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 8 itemized grants.
Cities
How The Orbit Fund gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+0%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 61% 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $12K (2024) to $13K (2023). In 2025 it made 8 grants totaling $13K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Renaissance Society Chicago, IL | Exempt Purpose of Organization, General Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| The Pruno Fund Chicago, IL | Exempt Purpose of Organization, General Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Society for Contemporary Art Chicago, IL | Exempt Purpose of Organization, General Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Latitude Chicago, IL | Exempt Purpose of Organization, General Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| Acre Projects Chicago, IL | Exempt Purpose of Organization, General Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| Primary Information Brooklyn, NY | Exempt Purpose of Organization, General Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Westside Foundation Omaha, NE | Exempt Purpose of Organization, General Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Elmhurst Art College Elmhurst, IL | Exempt Purpose of Organization, General Unrestricted | $500 |
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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 | $291,954 | $321 | $14,885 | $12,500 | 8 | $12,515 | $5,436 | $20,567 |
| 2024 | $306,518 | $1,221 | $17,360 | $12,000 | 5 | $14,145 | $4,557 | $17,164 |
| 2023 | $322,657 | $7,011 | $17,016 | $13,000 | 7 | $13,030 | $6,232 | $14,648 |
| 2022 | $332,662 | $184,397 | $15,476 | $12,500 | 10 | $13,065 | $182,286 | $14,027 |
| 2021 | $163,741 | $12,511 | $15,982 | $12,500 | 10 | — | $10,597 | $14,026 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Orbit Fund reported a distributable amount of $21K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Orbit Fund's 2025 filing lists 2 officers; none of the 2 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jay Dandy
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melissa F. Weber
Trustee
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
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 Orbit Fund
How much does The Orbit Fund give each year?
The Orbit Fund gave $13K across 8 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $12K across 5 grants.
What is The Orbit Fund's typical grant size?
The Orbit Fund's median grant in 2025 was $1,500, and its average grant was $1,563, across 8 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Orbit Fund give grants?
The Orbit Fund gives mostly in Illinois: 84% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (8%) and Nebraska (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (5 grants).
Does The Orbit Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Orbit Fund's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (8 of 8) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Orbit Fund's largest grantees?
The Orbit Fund's largest 2025 grantees include The Renaissance Society ($2,500), The Pruno Fund ($2,500) and Society for Contemporary Art ($2,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 56% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Orbit Fund?
The Orbit Fund reported $292K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $13K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $21K (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 Orbit Fund's EIN?
The Orbit Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-7086541. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 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 March 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 30, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 30, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Orbit Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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