Mary Lou Downs Foundation
Invitation OnlyChicago, Illinois · EIN 36-3797797 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$300K
Organizations funded42
Typical grant$4,000
Total assets$5.3M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $4,000 and $12,000.
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
26% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wings Program Inc | Palatine, IL | Exclusively charitable | $14,000 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital | Memphis, TN | Exclusively charitable | $14,000 |
| Little Sisters of the Poor of Palatine | Palatine, IL | Exclusively charitable | $14,000 |
| Misericordia Heart of Mercy | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $14,000 |
| Hephzibah Children's Assn | Oak Park, IL | Exclusively charitable | $14,000 |
| Shriner's Hospital for Children | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $14,000 |
| Larabida Children's Hospital | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $14,000 |
| Tunnels to Towers Foundation | Staten Island, NY | Exclusively charitable | $14,000 |
| The Center of Concern | Des Plaines, IL | Exclusively charitable | $13,000 |
| Shelter Inc | Arlington Heights, IL | Exclusively charitable | $13,000 |
| Ann & Robert Lurie Children's Hospital | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $12,000 |
| House of the Good Shepherd | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $10,000 |
| Life Span | Desplaines, IL | Exclusively charitable | $8,000 |
| Paralyzed Veterans of America | Washington, DC | Exclusively charitable | $7,000 |
| Maryville Academy | Des Plaines, IL | Exclusively charitable | $7,000 |
| Ntl Multiple Sclerosis Society | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $6,000 |
| Wounded Warrior Project | Topeka, KS | Exclusively charitable | $6,000 |
| Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust | Cincinnati, OH | Exclusively charitable | $6,000 |
| The Anti-Cruelty Society | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $6,000 |
| Home for Our Troops | Taunton, MA | Exclusively charitable | $6,000 |
| Connections for Abused Women & Their Children | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Family Service Center | Wilmette, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| The Child's Voice | Wood Dale, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Ronald Mcdonald House | Oak Brook, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Journeys the Road Home | Palatine, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Turning Point Inc | Woodstock, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Mercy Home for Boys & Girls | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Gateway to Learning | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Alzheimer's Fdn of America | New York, NY | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| American Heart Assn | Dallas, TX | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| American Cancer Society | Oklahoma City, OK | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| American Red Cross of Greater Chicago | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Catholic Charities | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| The Night Ministry | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Pads Lake County | Waukegan, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Franciscan Outreach | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Arden Shore Child and Family Service | Waukegan, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| West Suburban Humane Society | Downers Grove, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Victorian Woods Senior Living | Des Plaines, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Evanston North Shore Young Womens Christian Assn for the Evanston Shelter F | Evanston, IL | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research | Hagerstown, MD | Exclusively charitable | $4,000 |
| Uso of Illinois | Chicago, IL | Exclusively charitable | $0 |
| Marine Toys for Tots Foundation | Triangle, VA | Exclusively charitable | $0 |
| Geneva Foundation | Skokie, IL | Exclusively charitable | $0 |
| Home for Our Troops | Taunton, MA | Exclusively charitable | $0 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $300,000 | 46 |
| 2024 | $225,000 | 45 |
| 2023 | $190,000 | 44 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 1, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202631219349100213
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 36-3797797
- 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.