Ceres Foundation
Invitation OnlyNorthfield, Illinois · EIN 36-3735653 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$593K
Organizations funded106
Typical grant$3,000
Total assets$15M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $1,000 and $7,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2025 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
74% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Murphy Scholarship Foundation | Chicago, IL | General support | $30,000 |
| Leadership Institute | Arlington, VA | General support | $30,000 |
| Fire Fdn for Indiv Rts in Ed | Philadelphia, PA | General support | $25,000 |
| Hillsdale College | Hillsdale, MI | General support | $25,000 |
| Ij Institute for Justice | Arlington, VA | General support | $25,000 |
| Crc Cap Research Center | Washington, DC | General support | $20,000 |
| Mpi Moving Pix Institute | New York, NY | General support | $20,000 |
| Stepping Stones Montessori | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $20,000 |
| Door County Land Trust | Sturgeon Bay, WI | General support | $15,000 |
| Orchard Village | Skokie, IL | General support | $15,000 |
| Atl Foundation | Golden, CO | General support | $10,000 |
| Camp Highlands for Boys Foundation | Gainesville, FL | General support | $10,000 |
| Charlevoix County Community Foundation | East Jordan, MI | General support | $10,000 |
| Colorado Public Radio | Centennial, CO | General support | $10,000 |
| Federalist Society | Washington, DC | General support | $10,000 |
| Hope House of Colorado | Arvada, CO | General support | $10,000 |
| Philadelphia Society | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $10,000 |
| Rocky Mountain Pbs | Denver, CO | General support | $10,000 |
| Russell Kirk Center | Mecosta, MI | General support | $10,000 |
| The Momco International | Denver, CO | General support | $10,000 |
| The Whittier Public Library Foundation | Whittier, CA | General support | $10,000 |
| Tri-Lakes Cares | Monument, CO | General support | $10,000 |
| Cirque Lodge Foundation | Orem, UT | General support | $8,000 |
| Craig Hospital Foundation | Denver, CO | General support | $7,000 |
| Grand Canyon River Guides Inc | Flagstaff, AZ | General support | $7,000 |
| Inside Out Youth Services | Colorado Springs, CO | General support | $7,000 |
| The Place | Colorado Springs, CO | General support | $7,000 |
| Field Museum | Chicago, IL | General support | $6,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity-Rockbridge Area | Lexington, VA | General support | $6,000 |
| National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Pacific South Coast Chapter | Los Angeles, CA | General support | $6,000 |
| New Moms | Chicago, IL | General support | $6,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of Illinois - Development Department | Chicago, IL | General support | $6,000 |
| Tunnel to Towers Fdn | Staten Island, NY | General support | $6,000 |
| Charlevoix County Community Foundation | East Jordan, MI | General support | $5,000 |
| Charlevoix County Community Foundation | East Jordan, MI | General support | $5,000 |
| Chicago Public Media | Chicago, IL | General support | $5,000 |
| Fitzgerald Griffin Fdn | Vienna, VA | General support | $5,000 |
| Hope for the Warriors | Springfield, VA | General support | $5,000 |
| Little Traverse Conservancy | Harbor Springs, MI | General support | $5,000 |
| Make-A-Wish Chicago Chapter | Chicago, IL | General support | $5,000 |
| Open Books Ltd | Chicago, IL | General support | $5,000 |
| Ravinia Festival Association | Chicago, IL | General support | $5,000 |
| Silver Key Senior Services | Colorado Springs, CO | General support | $5,000 |
| The Boulevard | Chicago, IL | General support | $5,000 |
| W T T W - Channel 11 | Chicago, IL | General support | $5,000 |
| Whittier Meals on Wheels | Whittier, CA | General support | $5,000 |
| Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve | Big Bay, MI | General support | $5,000 |
| Friends in Deed | Pasadena, CA | General support | $4,000 |
| Hamilton Wood Type & Printing Museum | Two Rivers, WI | General support | $4,000 |
| Randolph College | Lynchburg, VA | General support | $4,000 |
| Sandy Hook Promise Foundation | Newton, CT | General support | $4,000 |
| The Hap Foundation | Oakbrook Terrace, IL | General support | $4,000 |
| Undue Medical Debt | Boston, MA | General support | $4,000 |
| Direct Relief | Santa Barbara, CA | General support | $3,000 |
| Glsen | New York, NY | General support | $3,000 |
| Higher Ground at Lake Louise | Holland, MI | General support | $3,000 |
| New Trier Neighbors | Wilmette, IL | General support | $3,000 |
| New Trier Township Angel Fund | Winnetka, IL | General support | $3,000 |
| The Josselyn Center | Northfield, IL | General support | $3,000 |
| Wings Program Inc | Palatine, IL | General support | $3,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 106 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $593,000 | 106 |
| 2024 | $551,000 | 101 |
| 2023 | $540,000 | 101 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed Jun 10, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202611619349100816
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 36-3735653
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.