Lydia and Gus Backer Family Foundation
Invitation OnlyParadise Valley, Arizona · EIN 88-4417929 · Private foundation
Half of its grants to organizations were between $410 and $2,000.
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
87% of grants went outside Arizona.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriels Light | Chicago, IL | Program support | $10,000 |
| Mayo Clinic | Rochester, MN | Program Support | $7,500 |
| Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley | Villa Park, IL | Program support | $5,000 |
| The Community Church | Lake Bluff, IL | Program support | $5,000 |
| Food Bank of New York City | New York, NY | Program support | $2,000 |
| Lake Forest Open Lands Association | Lake Forest, IL | Program support | $2,000 |
| Entertainment Community Fund | Chicago, IL | Program Support | $2,000 |
| Orphans of the Storm Animal Shelter | Deerfield, IL | Program support | $1,500 |
| American Red Cross | Chicago, IL | Program support | $1,000 |
| Writers Theatre | Glencoe, IL | Program support | $1,000 |
| Humane Society of Marathon County | Wausau, WI | Program Support | $1,000 |
| Amnesty International | Washington, DC | Program Support | $1,000 |
| Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Program Support | $410 |
| Friends of Public Radio Arizona | Tempe, AZ | Program Support | $400 |
| Community Animal Rescue Skokie | Skokie, IL | Program Support | $180 |
| Friends Of Arizona PBS | Tempe, AZ | Program Support | $40 |
The return also lists 9 grants to individuals ($30,260). We do not publish the names of individual recipients.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $70,290 | 25 |
| 2024 | $39,210 | 16 |
| 2023 | $28,999 | 19 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed Jul 10, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202601919349100005
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 88-4417929
- Profile updated Nov 6, 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.