Mary and Charles Sethness Charitable Foundation
Invitation OnlyNorthbrook, Illinois · EIN 90-0103956 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$581K
Organizations funded52
Typical grant$3,000
Total assets$14.1M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $2,000 and $10,000.
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
86% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Center for Reproductive Rights | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $45,000 |
| Depaul University | Chicago, IL | $5,000 unrestricted;$25,000 scholarships | $30,000 |
| Northwoods Alliance | Conover, WI | Unrestricted | $25,000 |
| National Resources Defense Council | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $19,000 |
| National Abortion Federation | Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $16,000 |
| Aclu Foundation | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| Brennan Center for Justice | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $15,000 |
| National Park Foundation | Washington, DC | Jr anglers program | $12,500 |
| Chicago Scholars Foundation | Chicago, IL | Generations scholarship fund | $10,500 |
| American River Conservancy | Coloma, CA | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Sierra Club Foundation | Oakland, CA | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Moffitt Cancer Center | Tampa, FL | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Sport for Impact Inc | Columbus, OH | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| Seattle Childrens Guild Association | Seattle, WA | Unicorn family guild | $10,000 |
| Ucds Schools | Seattle, WA | Unrestricted | $10,000 |
| American Prarie | Malta, MT | Unrestricted | $8,000 |
| Wounded Warrior Project | Topeka, KS | Unrestricted | $8,000 |
| Gary Sinise Foundation | Nashville, TN | Unrestricted | $8,000 |
| Evironmental Defense Fund | Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $8,000 |
| Barack Obama Foundation | Chicago, IL | Girls opportunity alliance | $5,000 |
| Howard County Conservancy | Woodstock, MD | Unrestricted | $5,000 |
| Trevor Project | West Hollywood, CA | Unrestricted | $4,500 |
| Freedom From Religion Foundation | Madison, WI | Unrestricted | $4,000 |
| American Rivers | Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $4,000 |
| American Chestnut Foundation | Ashville, NC | Unrestricted | $4,000 |
| Loyola Academy | Wilmette, IL | Unrestricted | $3,000 |
| Brown University | Providence, RI | Unrestricted | $3,000 |
| Deerfield Academy | Deerfield, MA | Unrestricted | $3,000 |
| Connors Climb Foundation | Exeter, NH | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Headwaters Food Pantry Inc | Land O Lakes, WI | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Urban Initiatives Inc | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Friends Fnd of Howard County Librar | Ellicott City, MD | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Dana Farber Cancer Institute | Boston, MA | Jimmy fund | $2,500 |
| Postpartum Support International | Portland, OR | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Small Miracles Cat Dog Rescue | Ellicot City, MD | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| Freinds of Land O'lakes Library | Land Olakes, FL | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Human Rights Campaign Fund | Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Ingersoll Gender Center | Seattle, WA | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Chicago Community Foundation | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Turtle Rescue League | Southbridge, MA | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Global Action for Trans Eqaulity | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Lambda Legal Defense Education Fund | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Pflag National | Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Sylvia Rivera Law Project | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| Transgender Law Center | Oakland, CA | Unrestricted | $2,000 |
| National Network of Abortion Funds | Beaverton, OR | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Abortion Care Network | Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Seattle Parks Foundation | Seattle, WA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Washington National Parks Foundatio | Seattle, WA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| University District Food Bank | Seattle, WA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Northwest Abortion Access Fund | Eugene, OR | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Villa Academy | Seattle, WA | Fund for villa | $1,000 |
The return also lists 38 grants to individuals ($221,000). We do not publish the names of individual recipients.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $581,000 | 90 |
| 2024 | $515,500 | 75 |
| 2023 | $436,140 | 68 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 28, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202611489349100756
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 90-0103956
- 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.