Willow Springs Charitable Trust
Willow Springs Charitable Trust is a private foundation based in Mt. Carroll, Illinois. Its 2024 filing reports $11.4 million in grants across 81 awards, supporting organizations whose work includes community services, arts, education, civil rights, reproductive rights, and community development.
Willow Springs Charitable Trust at a glance
In short: Willow Springs Charitable Trust gave $11.4M across 81 grants in 2024 (avg $141K), top state Illinois. 16% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $11,411,214
- +11.7% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 81
- +5.2% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $140,879
- +6.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $95,000
- Total assets
- $111,095,224
- +0.8% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 16% first-time grantees (13 of 81, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (49% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Willow Springs Charitable Trust
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The trust makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 10897 South Route 78, Mt Carroll, IL 61053
Phone: (815) 947-2525
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Willow Springs Charitable Trust funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Catalyst for Change ($500K). Together the top 10 received $4.5M.
Grant Size Distribution
412 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 155 grants of 412 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, Illinois organizations received 49% of grant dollars, Montana organizations received 16%, Florida organizations received 5%, and Wisconsin and Alabama organizations each received 4%. The listed grants also included awards to organizations in Connecticut.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 81 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Willow Springs Charitable Trust open to new grantees?
16%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 13 of 81 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $121K; repeat grants $145K. How we count
Medians: $95K first-time, $95K repeat.
- 80% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 41% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 197% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $7.2M (2020) to $11.4M (2024). In 2024 it made 81 grants totaling $11.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Catalyst for Change Madison, WI | General Purpose | $500,000 |
| Four Corners Community Foundation Bozeman, MT | General Purpose | $500,000 |
| Motherland Rhythm Community Grayslake, IL | General Purpose | $500,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $500,000 |
| Southern Poverty Law Center Montgomery, AL | General Purpose | $500,000 |
| Raue Center for the Arts Crystal Lake, IL | General Purpose | $450,000 |
| McHenry Community College Foundation Crystal Lake, IL | General Purpose | $411,000 |
| Elpc Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $400,000 |
| Highland Community College Foundation Freeport, IL | General Purpose | $350,000 |
| Suffield Academy Suffield, CT | General Purpose | $350,000 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $111,095,224 | $15,338,069 | $14,441,516 | $11,411,214 | 81 | $11,426,830 | $3,368,683 | $5,799,262 |
| 2023 | $110,193,002 | $14,287,029 | $12,683,373 | $10,214,091 | 77 | $10,215,577 | $1,002,599 | $4,805,152 |
| 2022 | $108,591,973 | $18,882,527 | $10,509,136 | $8,567,106 | 84 | $8,584,352 | $3,032,628 | $4,171,029 |
| 2021 | $100,115,931 | $21,339,853 | $9,532,400 | $8,069,548 | 91 | $8,069,548 | $6,684,626 | $4,666,438 |
| 2020 | $88,310,409 | $14,393,717 | $8,125,485 | $7,198,347 | 79 | — | $4,461,514 | $4,943,159 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Willow Springs Charitable Trust reported a distributable amount of $5.8M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The available filing information does not state a separate mission for the trust. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. For example, the Southern Poverty Law Center describes its work as advancing racial justice and human rights; Catalyst for Change says it provides compassionate services to vulnerable community members; and Motherland Rhythm Community says it provides humanitarian assistance and preserves, teaches, and presents traditional West African percussive music.
Other grantees describe work in the arts, education, and community support. Raue Center for the Arts says it provides access to visual and performing arts in a historic venue; Highland Community College Foundation says it supports the college’s mission; Main Stay Therapeutic Farm says it enriches mind, body, and spirit through connections with animals and nature; and the Community Foundation of Jo Daviess County says it supports local quality of life and strengthens the nonprofit sector.
Grantmaking
In tax year 2024, the trust made 81 grants totaling $11,411,214. Awards ranged from $3,600 to $500,000, with a median grant of $95,000. The largest listed grants were $500,000 each to Catalyst for Change, Four Corners Community Foundation, Motherland Rhythm Community, Planned Parenthood in Chicago, and the Southern Poverty Law Center. Other notable awards included $450,000 to Raue Center for the Arts, $411,000 to McHenry Community College Foundation, $400,000 to ELPC, $350,000 each to Highland Community College Foundation and Suffield Academy, $325,000 to Main Stay Therapeutic Farm, and $319,500 to the Community Foundation of Jo Daviess County. The listed grant purposes were general purpose.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists these trustees: Kent Brodie, Jenny B. Stoddard, Sara Smock Foszcz, Suzy Brodie Vogler, Emily Nicolin, Dr. Elizabeth Stocks, Samuel Stoddard, Joshua Foszczcz, Cooper Foszczcz, Jordan Brodie, and Brodie Vogler.
Willow Springs Charitable Trust's 2024 filing lists 11 officers; none of the 11 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jenny B. Stoddard
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kent Brodie
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sara Smock Foszcz
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Suzy Brodie Vogler
Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brodie Vogler
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cooper Fosczcz
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Stocks
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Nicolin
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jordan Brodie
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joshua Fosczcz
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Samuel Stoddard
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "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 Willow Springs Charitable Trust
How much does Willow Springs Charitable Trust give each year?
Willow Springs Charitable Trust gave $11.4M across 81 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $10.2M across 77 grants.
What is Willow Springs Charitable Trust's typical grant size?
Willow Springs Charitable Trust's median grant in 2024 was $95,000, and its average grant was $140,879, across 81 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Willow Springs Charitable Trust that year got $121K on average.
Where does Willow Springs Charitable Trust give grants?
Willow Springs Charitable Trust's top state is Illinois, with 49% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Montana (16%) and Florida (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Bozeman, MT (7 grants), Chicago, IL (7 grants), Crystal Lake, IL (4 grants) and Elizabeth, IL (3 grants).
Does Willow Springs Charitable Trust give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Willow Springs Charitable Trust's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (81 of 81) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Willow Springs Charitable Trust's largest grantees?
Willow Springs Charitable Trust's largest 2024 grantees include Catalyst for Change ($500,000), Four Corners Community Foundation ($500,000) and Motherland Rhythm Community ($500,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Willow Springs Charitable Trust?
Willow Springs Charitable Trust reported $111.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $11.4M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $5.8M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Willow Springs Charitable Trust fund?
The available filing information does not state a separate mission for the trust. Its 2024 grants included support for organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Willow Springs Charitable Trust?
The trust makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Willow Springs Charitable Trust's EIN?
Willow Springs Charitable Trust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4383299. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Willow Springs Charitable Trust accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Willow Springs Charitable Trust funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/willow-springs-charitable-trust-morg_037a8cab707c49ba97fa150db4f6477d
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_204383299_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Willow Springs Charitable Trust funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/willow-springs-charitable-trust-morg_037a8cab707c49ba97fa150db4f6477d},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Willow Springs Charitable Trust'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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