Make It Better Foundation
Historical FunderWilmette, Illinois · EIN 27-0773475 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$988K
Organizations funded73
Typical grant$5,125
Total assets$755K
Half of its grants to organizations were between $1,000 and $25,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | MIBF ATTN JENNIFER WOOLFORD |
|---|---|
| Address | PO BOX 751, WILMETTE ID 60091 |
| Phone | 3125002501 |
| Form and materials | APPLICATIONS FOR THE ANNUAL PHILANTHROPY AWARDS COMPETITION CAN BE FOUND ON THE MIBF WEBSITE. HTTP://FOUNDATION.MAKEITBETTER.COM/ |
| Deadlines | NOMINATIONS FOR AWARDS ARE ACCEPTED DURING THE SPECIFIED PERIOD, TYPICALLY SEPTEMBER EACH YEAR |
| Restrictions | WE WILL REVIEW REQUESTS FOR SUPPORT AGAINST OUR STATED MISSION, WHICH IS TO IDENTIFY AND AMPLIFY THE WORK OF OUSTANDING NONPROFITS WHILE GROWING A NETWORK OF WELL-INFORMED, COMMITTED PHILANTHROPISTS; SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS; AND SPONSORS. WE ENTER INTO THE AGREEMENT USING THE ORGANIZATION'S STANDARD SPONSORSHIP FORM, HAVING CONFIRMED THEIR 501(C)(3) STATUS IN ADVANCE. GENERALLY THESE ARE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE SURROUNDING CHICAGOLAND AREA THAT ARE WITHIN THE DISTRIBUTION FOOTPRINT OF MAKE IT BETTER LLC MEDIA CHANNELS. PLEASE VISIT HTTP://FOUNDATION.MAKEITBETTER.COM/VALUES-MISSION-VISION |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
56% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Red Cross | Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $125,000 |
| Nurse Family Partnership | Denver, CO | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $100,000 |
| Nurse Family Partnership wire not showing up in gl | Denver, CO | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $100,000 |
| A Safe Haven | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| After School Matters | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association Inc | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Anera | Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Athletes Against Anxiety & Depression | Westchester, CA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Cinema Chicago | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| City Year | Boston, MA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Cradles to Crayon | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Good Jobs Institute | Cambridge, MA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Harris Theater | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center | Skokie, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| KIPP Chicago Schools | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Metropolitan Family Services | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| NAMI Chicago | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Pres and Fellows of Harvard College | Cambridge, MA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| The Greater Science Center Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| US Center for Safe Sport | Denver, CO | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $25,000 |
| Palestine Children's Relief Fund | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $20,000 |
| World Central Kitchen | Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $20,000 |
| Catchafire Inc | Claymont, DE | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| George Mark House | San Leandro, CA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| Go Campaign | Santa Monica, CA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| Goodwill Foundation of Central and Southern Indiana | Indianapolis, IN | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| Hope Solutions | Pleasant Hill, CA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| Interfaith America | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| Lyric Opera Chicago | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| McGaw YMCA | Evanston, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| Side by Side | San Anselmo, CA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| The Family Institute of Northwestern University | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| Twist Out Cancer | Villanova, PA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $10,000 |
| American Red Cross | Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $5,181 |
| Anera | Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $5,163 |
| American Red Cross (EOY 2023) | Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $5,125 |
| Middle East Children | Berkeley, CA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $5,000 |
| Cleveland Angels (EOY 2023) | Cleveland, OH | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $4,000 |
| Sojourn Project | Millbrae, CA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $4,000 |
| Cancer Research Institute (EOY 2023) | New York, NY | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,500 |
| The City Mission of Cleveland (EOY 2023) | Cleveland, OH | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,500 |
| Wild Salmon Center | Portland, OR | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,500 |
| The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity | London, UK | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,160 |
| Stargazing Farm Fund | Boyds, MD | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,021 |
| American Red Cross | Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| Brushwood Center at Ryerson Woods | Riverwoods, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| By the Hand | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| By the Hand | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| Care for Real | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| Care for Real | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| Chicago Philharmonic Society | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| Donorschoose organization | New York, NY | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| Family Institute (EOY 2023) | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| Family Service Center (EOY 2023) | Northfield, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| Feel the Beat | Englewood, CO | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| GO Campaign | Santa Monica, CA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| GO Campaign | Santa Monica, CA | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| Joffrey Ballet | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
| Mskgiving (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) | New York, NY | Unrestricted Charitable Donation | $1,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 73 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $988,150 | 73 |
| 2023 | $255,000 | 11 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Jun 4, 2025 (amended) - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202501559349100805
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 27-0773475
- 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.