The Bobolink Foundation
Invitation OnlyChicago, Illinois · EIN 94-2988627 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$19.8M
Organizations funded44
Typical grant$30,000
Total assets$344.6M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $10,000 and $150,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 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 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainforest Trust | Warrenton, VA | Taquari $5M, Choc $2M | $7,000,000 |
| The Nature Conservancy | Arlington, VA | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $7,000,000 |
| Re Wild | Austin, TX | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $2,250,000 |
| New Venture Fund | Baltimore, MD | Andes Amazon Fund capacity building | $685,736 |
| Friends of the Forest Preserves | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $450,000 |
| Friends of BirdLife International Inc | New York, NY | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $305,000 |
| Oregon Desert Land Trust | Bend, OR | Trout Creek stewardship endowment | $280,000 |
| One Hundred Miles | Brunswick, GA | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $275,000 |
| Osa Conservation | Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $200,000 |
| The Field Museum | Chicago, IL | Keller Science Action Center / Latin America | $200,000 |
| American Bird Conservancy | The Plains, VA | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $150,000 |
| Borderlands Restoration Network | Patagonia, AZ | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $150,000 |
| The Orianne Society | Tiger, GA | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $135,000 |
| Bird Conservancy of the Rockies | Fort Collins, CO | Sustainable Grazing Network in MX / Roadmap | $115,000 |
| Openlands | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $75,000 |
| BirdNote | Asheville, NC | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $50,000 |
| Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Ithaca, NY | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $50,000 |
| International Crane Foundation | Baraboo, WI | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $50,000 |
| World Wildlife Fund | Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $50,000 |
| Citizens for Conservation | Barrington, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $30,000 |
| Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation | Brunswick, GA | Stewards of the GA Coast operating expenses | $30,000 |
| Oncafari Association | Sao Paolo, BR | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $30,000 |
| Southern Environmental Law Center | Charlottesville, VA | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $30,000 |
| Grey Matters Project | Savannah, GA | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $20,000 |
| Cal-Wood Education Center | Jamestown, CO | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $15,000 |
| Island Press | Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $15,000 |
| Keystone Science School | Keystone, CO | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $15,000 |
| Thorne Nature Experience | Lafayette, CO | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $15,000 |
| Environmental Law and Policy Center | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $10,000 |
| Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves | DeKalb, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $10,000 |
| High Desert Museum | Bend, OR | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $10,000 |
| National Parks Conservation Association | Washington, DC | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $10,000 |
| Openlands | Chicago, IL | Platinum Sponsor / no goods or services provided | $10,000 |
| St Simon's Land Trust | St Simons Island, GA | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $10,000 |
| The Georgia Natural Resources Foundation | Atlanta, GA | Weekend for Wildlife | $10,000 |
| Wild Salmon Center | Portland, OR | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $10,000 |
| Biodiversity Funders Group | San Francisco, CA | FAB dues | $5,000 |
| Birds Caribbean | Natick, MA | 2024 Conference Support | $5,000 |
| Bonefish Tarpon Trust | Miami, FL | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $5,000 |
| Coastal Georgia Historical Society | St Simons Island, GA | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $5,000 |
| Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves | DeKalb, IL | Wild Things 2025 Sponsor | $5,000 |
| Friends of Illinois Nature Preserves | DeKalb, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $5,000 |
| Friends of Nachusa Grasslands | Franklin Grove, IL | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $5,000 |
| Friends of Tryon Creek | Portland, OR | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $5,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $19,790,736 | 44 |
| 2023 | $14,270,051 | 49 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 17, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202533219349103148
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 94-2988627
- 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.