Paul Bechtner Foundation
Invitation OnlyWinnetka, Illinois · EIN 36-3973429 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$1.5M
Organizations funded73
Typical grant$10,000
Total assets$36.3M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $5,000 and $20,000.
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
76% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Avary | San Rafael, CA | Support children of incarc. parents | $220,400 |
| Sustainable Harvest International | Washington, DC | Eliminate tropical deforestation | $168,500 |
| Math Circles of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Support math in schools | $129,600 |
| Vanguard Daf | Malvern, PA | Supports donor-advised funds | $80,298 |
| Connect Med | San Diego, CA | Support hosp. & health care | $64,825 |
| Global Village Initiative | Summertown, TN | Support cultural exchange | $64,800 |
| Nano Detection Laboratory Tulane | New Orleans, LA | Support medical research | $51,800 |
| Denver Art Museum | Denver, CO | Cultural support | $40,000 |
| San Diego Museum of Art | San Diego, CA | Support the arts | $35,000 |
| Colorado Public Radio | Centennial, CO | Cultural support | $30,000 |
| Nami San Diego | San Diego, CA | Support for mental illness | $30,000 |
| Kpbs Radio | San Diego, CA | Support public radio | $25,000 |
| Ubuntu Global Connections | Concord, MA | Support for social services | $25,000 |
| Citizens Climate Education | Coronado, CA | Support a livable world | $20,000 |
| Clean Wisconsin | Madison, WI | Support water conservation | $20,000 |
| Eccoaddendum | Atlanta, GA | Support healthy environment | $20,000 |
| Father's Arms Ministry | Chicago, IL | Support children through religion | $20,000 |
| Friends of Acadia | Bar Harbor, ME | Support cultural resources of park | $20,000 |
| Geoversity Foundation | Borrego Springs, CA | Support watershed conservancy | $20,000 |
| Ryan Family YMCA | San Diego, CA | Community support | $20,000 |
| Salvation Army | Chicago, IL | Support the needy | $20,000 |
| San Diego History Center | San Diego, CA | Support local history | $20,000 |
| Wvtf | Roanoke, VA | Support public broadcasting | $20,000 |
| School Justice Project | Washington, DC | Support spec. educ. needs | $15,000 |
| Solar Cookers | Sacramento, CA | Support for social services | $15,000 |
| Food Bank of Western Massachusetts | Chicopee, MA | Support food for the needy | $12,375 |
| Il Policy Initiative | Chicago, IL | Support taxpayer interests | $12,375 |
| Injustice Watch | Chicago, IL | Support investigative reporting | $12,375 |
| Open Doors | Providence, RI | Support homeless individuals | $12,375 |
| School on Wheels LA | Los Angeles, CA | Support of literacy programs | $12,375 |
| The Invisible Institute | Chicago, IL | Support nonprofit journalism | $12,375 |
| American Rivers Inc | Washington, DC | Environmental support | $10,000 |
| Bear Yuba Land Trust | Grass Valley, CA | Support nature conservancy | $10,000 |
| Evanston Community Foundation | Evanston, IL | Support for social services | $10,000 |
| Holy Family Ministry | Northfield, IL | Support for social services | $10,000 |
| Int'l Campaign for Tibet | Washington, DC | Cultural support for tibet | $10,000 |
| Nrdc | New York, NY | Support for the environment | $10,000 |
| Sierra Club | Oakland, CA | Environmental support | $10,000 |
| South Yuba River Citizens League | Nevada City, CA | Environmental support | $10,000 |
| St Vincent Depaul Society | Orland Park, IL | Support the needy | $10,000 |
| Sumi Nungwa | Salt Lake City, UT | Support for elders | $10,000 |
| Tunnel to Towers Foundation | Staten Island, NY | Support of first responders' family | $10,000 |
| University of San Diego Sch of Law | San Diego, CA | Support higher education | $10,000 |
| Water Charity | Crestlinre, CA | Support global water projects | $10,000 |
| Winnetka Historical Society | Winnetka, IL | Cultural support | $10,000 |
| Yosemite Conservancy | San Francisco, CA | Support for the national park | $10,000 |
| Open City Advocates | Washington, DC | Support city's civilians & landmarks | $7,500 |
| Refuge Point | Boston, MA | Support vulnerable refugees | $7,500 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Chicago, IL | Support nature | $7,500 |
| Block Club Chicago | Chicago, IL | Provide coverage to diverse areas | $5,500 |
| Hamilton Wood Type Museum | Two Rivers, WI | Preserve wood type in printing | $5,500 |
| Boulder Jjc | Boulder, CO | Support for social services | $5,000 |
| Case Western School of Law | Cleveland, OH | Educational support | $5,000 |
| Congregation Bonai Shalom | Boulder, CO | Support accepting inclusive members | $5,000 |
| Cu Foundation | Broomfield, CO | Educational support | $5,000 |
| Jewish Colorado | Denver, CO | Support for social services | $5,000 |
| Kellogg School of Management | Evanston, IL | Support of higher education | $5,000 |
| Polestar Gardens | Pahoa, HI | Support for social services | $5,000 |
| Moran Center for Youth Advocacy | Evanston, IL | Support youth advocacy | $5,000 |
| College of the Atlantic | Bar Harbor, ME | Support higher education | $2,500 |
Showing the 60 largest of 73 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,509,973 | 73 |
| 2024 | $1,100,500 | 69 |
| 2023 | $1,130,000 | 53 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed Jul 16, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202611979349100416
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 36-3973429
- 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.