The Selfreliance Foundation
The Selfreliance Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, designated as a 501(c)(3) organization. The foundation has been tax-exempt since October 2006 and operates as a philanthropic entity focused on grantmaking activities.
Key facts about The Selfreliance Foundation
- EIN
- 20-5423872
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,076,700
- Grants made (2024)
- 78
- Average grant
- $13,804
- Median grant
- $6,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 68% first-time grantees (50 of 74, 2024)
- Total assets
- $17,697,118
- Primary geography
- Illinois (80% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who The Selfreliance Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Selfreliance Foundation's 78 itemized 2024 grants were Illinois (80%) and Michigan (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (30 grants), Hartford, CT (3 grants), New York, NY (3 grants) and Palatine, IL (2 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is The Selfreliance Foundation open to new grantees?
68%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 50 of 74 grantees (68%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $14K; repeat grants $15K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 31% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 69% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2023 it paid out 86% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with The Selfreliance Foundation
- How to evaluate The Selfreliance Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$17.7M
+4.3% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+21.2% YoY
Grant Count
78
+23.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$14K
-2.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Selfreliance Foundation channels donations to vetted, trustworthy 501(c)(3) organizations working on humanitarian purposes. The foundation has demonstrated commitment to supporting causes including medical and food supplies assistance, refugee support, and other humanitarian initiatives. The foundation does not charge fees for channeling donations to partner organizations.
Grantmaking
The foundation operates a Ukraine Relief Fund designed to direct contributions to vetted groups assisting Ukraine on multiple fronts with humanitarian purposes. Donations to the foundation are tax-deductible.
Ready to take the next step with The Selfreliance Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Chicago, Illinois, with demonstrated focus on supporting humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and refugee assistance programs.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 78 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $17,000,000
- Total Revenue: $2,450,000
- Total Expenses: $932,000
- Total Liabilities: $0
- Total Giving: $888,700
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,697,118 | $16,961,939 | $15,445,587 |
| Revenue | $1,856,099 | $2,448,527 | $1,414,887 |
| Expenses | $1,120,920 | $932,175 | $880,070 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,076,700 | $888,700 | $832,200 |
| Net Investment Income | $603,475 | $243,527 | $214,214 |
| Distributable Amount | — | $1,034,031 | $725,203 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
324 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include St Nicholas Ukr Cath Eparchy ($95,000), St Joseph Ukr Cath Church ($75,000), Selfreliance Association ($75,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Nicholas Ukr Cath Eparchy Chicago, IL | General Expenses | $95,000 |
| St Joseph Ukr Cath Church Chicago, IL | General Expenses | $75,000 |
| Selfreliance Association Chicago, IL | General Expenses | $75,000 |
| St Nicholas Cathedral School Chicago, IL | General Expenses | $65,000 |
| Sts Volodymyr and Olha Ukr Cath Church Chicago, IL | General Expenses | $55,000 |
| Immaculate Conception Ukr Cath Church Palatine, IL | General Expenses | $37,500 |
| Ukrainian Catholic University Found Chicago, IL | General Expenses | $35,200 |
| Amer Ukr Youth Assoc inc Pavlushkov Bran Chicago, IL | General Expenses | $35,000 |
| Amer Ukr Youth Assoc inc Vitovsky Branch Palatine, IL | General Expenses | $32,500 |
| St John the Baptist UCC Whippany Whippany, NJ | General Expenses | $30,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Myron Wasiunec | Director | 1 | — |
| Daria Twardowsky | Director | 1 | $6,000 |
| Victor Wojtychiw | Sec/Treasurer | 1 | $6,000 |
| Bohdan Watral | President | 1 | $6,000 |
| Oresta Fedyniak | Member | 1 | $6,000 |
| Oleh Karawan | Member | 1 | $4,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The Selfreliance Foundation was recognized as a 2024 Herb Wegner Memorial Award Winner, an honor acknowledging the foundation's contributions and impact.
Reliant Foundation Awards More Than $1 Million in Community Grants To 59Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Selfreliance Foundation fund?
The Selfreliance Foundation channels donations to vetted, trustworthy 501(c)(3) organizations working on humanitarian purposes. The foundation has demonstrated commitment to supporting causes including medical and food supplies assistance, refugee support, and other humanitarian initiatives. The foundation does not charge fees for channeling donations to partner organizations.
How do I apply for a grant from The Selfreliance Foundation?
**Total Giving:** $888,700 (based on 2023 Form 990 filing) **Assets:** $16,961,939 (as of 2023) The foundation operates a Ukraine Relief Fund designed to direct contributions to vetted groups assisting Ukraine on multiple fronts with humanitarian purposes. Donations to the foundation are tax-deductible.
Where does The Selfreliance Foundation make grants?
The foundation is based in Chicago, Illinois, with demonstrated focus on supporting humanitarian efforts in Ukraine and refugee assistance programs.
What size grants does The Selfreliance Foundation award?
In 2024, The Selfreliance Foundation awarded 78 grants totaling $1.1M — an average of about $14K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Selfreliance Foundation's EIN?
The Selfreliance Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5423872. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.