The TWS Foundation
Encourage and care for contributions that support the entertainment, education, and inspiration of multiple generations through the art of live theatre in the western suburbs of chicago.
The TWS Foundation at a glance
In short: The TWS Foundation gave $14K across 1 grant in 2026 (avg $14K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $14,200
- +32.7% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $14,200
- +32.7% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $14,200
- Total assets
- $2,827,391
- +20.0% vs 2025
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2026; updated September 2026.
How to apply to The TWS Foundation
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from The TWS Foundation
Who The TWS Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was The Theatre of Western Springs ($14K).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 5 grants of 5 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2026 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The TWS Foundation gives
- Giving grew 115% from 2023 to 2026. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $7K (2023) to $52K (2021). In 2026 it made 1 grant totaling $14K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Theatre of Western Springs Western Springs, IL | Support the art of live theatre in the western suburbs of chicago | $14,200 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $2,827,391 | $210,061 | $26,205 | $14,200 | 1 | $90,167 |
| 2025 | $2,356,734 | $665,516 | $23,783 | $10,700 | 1 | $60,299 |
| 2024 | $1,585,198 | $73,840 | $28,287 | $8,200 | 1 | $49,542 |
| 2023 | $1,408,025 | $67,208 | $9,615 | $6,600 | 1 | $47,629 |
| 2022 | $1,278,662 | $78,493 | $18,005 | $7,400 | 1 | $44,043 |
| 2021 | $1,385,469 | $63,578 | $60,863 | $51,642 | 1 | $29,033 |
About The TWS Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The TWS Foundation is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Western Springs, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2021 through 2026. As of 2026, the organization holds $2.8M in total assets. In 2026, it awarded 1 grant totaling $14K. Net investment income was $90K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The TWS Foundation is led by John Podliska, President on every filing since 2021; 1 of 13 officers listed in 2026 is compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
John Podliska
President
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Edward Wavak
Trustee
Bog Treasurer - → Trustee, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$30K (2025) → $30K (2026)
Karla Hudson
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lori D'asta
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara Torrey
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Timothy Gannon
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Walter Knake
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Benton Bullwinkle
Trustee
On filings since 2025
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dennis Hudson
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mary Ellen Schutt
Trustee
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brian T. Whitlock
Treasurer
On filings since 2021
20 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda Bugielski
Secretary
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peggy Carlson
Vice President
Trustee → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Danny Parrott (2022–2025) — Trustee
- Former: Laura Ciresi Starr (2023–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Robert Erck (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Nicole Leatherwood (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Michael Williams (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Ashley Kennedy (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Bridget Bittman (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Janet Venzon (2021) — Bog Chair -
- Former: Louis Schauer (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Michael Hultgren (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Peter Hilton (2021) — Vice President
- Former: Richard M. Traut (2021) — Trustee
- Former: William Hammack (2021) — Bog Vice Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $30K, to Edward Wavak (Trustee).
Frequently asked questions about The TWS Foundation
How much does The TWS Foundation give each year?
The TWS Foundation gave $14K across 1 grant in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990. In 2025 it gave $11K across 1 grant.
How large is The TWS Foundation?
The TWS Foundation reported $2.8M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $210K.
What is The TWS Foundation?
The TWS Foundation is a public charity focused on Arts, Culture & Humanities, based in Western Springs, IL. It holds $2.8M in total assets as of 2026.
Where does The TWS Foundation operate?
The TWS Foundation has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is The TWS Foundation's EIN?
The TWS Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5693587. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(4)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 13, 2022)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS August 5, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work The TWS Foundation funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The TWS Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from The TWS Foundation'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.
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