The Tobey Foundation
The Tobey Foundation was a Chicago, Illinois–based private foundation that made charitable grants. Its 2020 filing states that it was dissolved on September 24, 2020, and is marked as its final return, so it appears to have wound down and stopped grantmaking. The filing says its remaining assets were transferred to Fidelity Charitable Fund.
The Tobey Foundation at a glance
In short: The Tobey Foundation gave $4.2M across 16 grants in 2020 (avg $259K), mostly in Ohio. Source: 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2020)
- $4,150,719
- Grants made (2020)
- 16
- Average grant
- $259,420
- Median grant
- $1,250
- Primary geography
- Ohio (99% of itemized 2020 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2020 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2020; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The Tobey Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation stated that it made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Because the foundation was dissolved in 2020, this is not a current application opportunity.
- Contact
Mailing address: 1242 N Lake Shore Drive No 19S, Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: (847) 729-7415
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Tobey Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2020
The largest 2020 recipient was Fidelity Charitable Fund ($4.1M across 2 grants). Together the top 10 received $4.1M.
Grant Size Distribution
16 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 14 grants of 16 (88%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2020, 99% of grant dollars went to recipients in Ohio; the filing reports 0% for Illinois and Colorado. Listed recipients were also located in Illinois and Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2020 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2020 it made 16 grants totaling $4.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Fidelity Charitable Fund Cincinnati, OH | Public Charity support | $2,552,126 |
| Fidelity Charitable Fund Cincinnati, OH | Public Charity support | $1,577,593 |
| The Buddy Program Aspen, CO | Youth Mentoring | $3,000 |
| Art Institute Of Chicago Chicago, IL | Support of the Arts | $2,500 |
| Court Theatre Chicago, IL | Support of the Arts | $2,500 |
| Kenilworth Union Church Kenilworth, IL | Religious | $2,500 |
| Historic Preservation Foundation Chicago, IL | Historical Preservation and Education | $1,500 |
| North Shore Country Day School Winnetka, IL | Education | $1,500 |
| Aspen Animal Shelter Aspen, CO | Animal Rights | $1,000 |
| Aspen Public Radio Aspen, CO | Public Media | $1,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $313,216 | $4,210,519 | $4,150,719 | 16 | $253,416 | $136,849 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Tobey Foundation reported a distributable amount of $137K for 2020 — 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 filing does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2020 grants included support for public charities, youth mentoring, the arts, religion, historical preservation and education, and other causes.
Among its grantees, The Buddy Program said its mission was to empower youth through mentoring and related services in Colorado’s Roaring Fork Valley. North Shore Country Day School described itself as an independent school committed to academic excellence and participation in academics, athletics, arts, and activities. Leap Learning Systems said it develops language skills for academic and professional success in low-resource communities. Aspen Center for Environmental Studies said its mission is to inspire a lifelong commitment to the earth through programming for all ages.
Grantmaking
In 2020, the foundation reported 16 grants totaling $4,150,719. The median grant was $1,250; grants ranged from $500 to $2,552,126. The two largest listed grants were to Fidelity Charitable Fund: $2,552,126 and $1,577,593, each for “Public Charity support.” Other listed grants included $3,000 to The Buddy Program for youth mentoring; $2,500 each to the Art Institute of Chicago and Court Theatre for support of the arts; and $1,500 to Historic Preservation Foundation for historical preservation and education.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Anne C. Tobey was listed as a director on the 2020 filing.
The Tobey Foundation is led by Anne C Tobey, Director on the 2020 filing — the only officer listed, and uncompensated.
Officers on the 2020 filing
Anne C Tobey
Director
New on the 2020 filing
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020. "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 Tobey Foundation
How much does The Tobey Foundation give each year?
The Tobey Foundation gave $4.2M across 16 grants in 2020, according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
What is The Tobey Foundation's typical grant size?
The Tobey Foundation's median grant in 2020 was $1,250, and its average grant was $259,420, across 16 grants on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Tobey Foundation give grants?
The Tobey Foundation gives mostly in Ohio: 99% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (5 grants), Aspen, CO (4 grants), Cincinnati, OH (2 grants) and Evanston, IL (2 grants).
Does The Tobey Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2020: none of the 16 grants with a stated purpose on The Tobey Foundation's 2020 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Support of the Arts" (3 grants).
Who are The Tobey Foundation's largest grantees?
The Tobey Foundation's largest 2020 grantees include Fidelity Charitable Fund ($4,129,719 across 2 grants), The Buddy Program ($3,000) and Art Institute Of Chicago ($2,500), according to its 2020 IRS Form 990-PF.
What does The Tobey Foundation fund?
The filing does not state a mission for the foundation. Its 2020 grants included support for public charities, youth mentoring, the arts, religion, historical preservation and education, and other causes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Tobey Foundation?
The foundation stated that it made contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is The Tobey Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2020, The Tobey Foundation reported a distributable amount of $137K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Tobey Foundation's EIN?
The Tobey Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3989019. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020.
Does The Tobey Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 8, 2021)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal year 2020
Live grants for the work The Tobey Foundation funds
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The Tobey Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?