The Tull Family Foundation (TFF) is a private 501(c)(3) foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, founded by Thomas and Alba Tull. Established in February 2013, the foundation operates as a grantmaking organization dedicated to empowering change and transforming lives in under-funded communities through strategic philanthropic investments.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$13K
+170.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$14.9M
+32.4% YoY
Grant Count
25
-3.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$597K
+37.7% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Tull Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $337 for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to empower change and transform lives in under-funded communities by supporting the advancement of innovative ideas across three primary focus areas:
Education The foundation supports education and sports programs targeting grades 6-12 in economically challenged communities. Its educational goals include ensuring students complete high school, achieve college readiness, and receive mentoring guidance through the higher education process. The foundation provides grants to organizations that make higher education accessible to all students. Notable educational partnerships include Harvard Business School, Hamilton College, William and Mary, and National Little League.
Conservation The foundation focuses on environmental protection and the economic vitality of communities facing environmental challenges. Its conservation work protects people and places while preserving sacred lands, with particular emphasis on the North American West and the Greater Pittsburgh Region. Notable conservation partnerships include Yellowstone Forever and Yellowstone National Park.
Medical & Scientific Research The foundation supports medical and scientific breakthroughs that are under-resourced but critically needed, with particular focus on solving health challenges such as infectious diseases. The foundation accepts grant proposals from groundbreaking studies and initiatives that do not qualify for traditional funding streams. Notable research partnerships include Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, and Whistler Health Care Centre.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 14 grants in 2024 with typical award ranges between $10,000 and $4,000,000. Recent notable grants include:
Grant Range
s and Activity**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts, with particular emphasis on the Greater Pittsburgh Region and the North American West for conservation initiatives.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data
- Total Revenue: $14,983,000
- Total Expenses: $14,975,000
- Total Assets: $12,689
- Total Giving: $14,915,000
The foundation has maintained consistent financial activity since its establishment in 2013, with annual revenues and expenses typically in the $14-15 million range.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,689 | $4,689 | $21,455 |
| Revenue | $14,983,000 | $11,313,500 | $7,470,005 |
| Expenses | $14,975,000 | $11,330,266 | $7,501,633 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $14,915,000 | $11,268,000 | $7,436,200 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | $5 |
| Distributable Amount | $337 | $1,991 | $4,843 |
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
137 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Sewickley Academy ($4,000,000), Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($2,000,000), Massachusetts Institute of Technology ($2,000,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALLTRU INCORPORATED WHEELING, WV | GENERAL PURPOSE | $100,000 |
| BABY2BABY LOS ANGELES, CA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $650,000 |
| BEST OF THE BATCH FOUNDATION MUNHALL, PA | PROVIDE FOR FINANCIALLY CHALLENGED YOUTH AND FAMILIES | $50,000 |
| BOROUGH OF MCDONALD MIDWAY, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT OF THE MCDONALD POLICE DEPARTMENT | $75,000 |
| BPS FOUNDATION LAS VEGAS, NV | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250,000 |
| CHUCK NOLL FOUNDATION FOR BRAIN INJURY RESEARCH PITTSBURGH, PA | BRAIN INJURY RESEARCH | $50,000 |
| GLOBAL WILDLIFE TRUST INC THURMONT, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT | $75,000 |
| HAMILTON COLLEGE CLINTON, NY | EDUCATION | $100,000 |
| HM3 PARTNERS INDEPENDENCE FUND INC GIBSONIA, PA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
| HOAG HOSPITAL FOUNDATION NEWPORT BEACH, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $250,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation is co-chaired by Thomas J. Tull and Alba V. Tull.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| THOMAS J TULL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| ALBA V TULL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in recent years with notable grants including:
A $100,000 grant to Sto-Rox School District
Sto-Rox Receives $100000 Grant From Tull Family FoundationOver $2 million awarded to boost high school athletics programs
Tull Family Foundation awards over $2M to boost high school athleticsA grant to East Allegheny School District to strengthen high school athletics
Tull Family Foundation awards over $2M to boost high school athleticsA $3.5 million donation to the USA Basketball Foundation
USA Basketball Foundation Receives a 3.5M Donation From Tull Family Foundation\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Tull Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to empower change and transform lives in under-funded communities by supporting the advancement of innovative ideas across three primary focus areas: **Education** The foundation supports education and sports programs targeting grades 6-12 in economically challenged communities. Its educational goals include ensuring students complete high school, achieve college readiness, and receive mentoring guidance through the higher education process. The foundation provides g…
How do I apply for a grant from Tull Family Foundation?
**Grant Sizes and Activity** The foundation made 14 grants in 2024 with typical award ranges between $10,000 and $4,000,000. Recent notable grants include: • Sewickley Academy: $4,000,000 (General Support) • Massachusetts Institute of Technology: $2,000,000 (Generative AI Fund) • Massachusetts Institute of Technology: $2,000,000 (Music Building) The foundation has also awarded significant grants in athletics, including over $2 million to boost high school athletics and a $3.5 million donation t…
Where does Tull Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts, with particular emphasis on the Greater Pittsburgh Region and the North American West for conservation initiatives.
What size grants does Tull Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Tull Family Foundation awarded 25 grants totaling $14.9M — an average of about $597K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Tull Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Tull Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $337 on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Tull Family Foundation's EIN?
Tull Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 35-6932298. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Tull Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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