The Lyon Family Foundation
Invitation OnlyChicago, Illinois · EIN 26-1500324 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$781K
Organizations funded32
Typical grant$7,500
Total assets$4.1M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $2,500 and $20,000.
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
34% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $305,000 |
| JCC of Chicago | Northbrook, IL | General purpose | $112,500 |
| Metropolitan Family Services | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $51,000 |
| Embarc | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $50,000 |
| Gateway to Learning | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $37,500 |
| The Dovetail Project | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $25,000 |
| Blood Cancer United | New York, NY | General purpose | $25,000 |
| Alzheimer's Assoc | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $20,363 |
| Ascension Il Foundation | Lisle, IL | General purpose | $20,000 |
| The Forge for Families | Houston, TX | General purpose | $20,000 |
| The Ryan Licht Sang Bipolar Foundat | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $18,250 |
| By the Hand Club for Kids | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $11,410 |
| Mod Collective | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $11,150 |
| Everloved | San Francisco, CA | General purpose | $10,100 |
| Uniting Voices Chicago | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $10,000 |
| The Marfan Foundation | Port Washington, NY | General purpose | $8,850 |
| Byfs | Boone, IA | General purpose | $7,500 |
| Hope Chicago | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $5,250 |
| Hua Momona Foundation | Lahaina, HI | General purpose | $5,175 |
| Cal's Angels | St Charles, IL | General purpose | $5,000 |
| The Dragonfly Foundation | Cincinnati, OH | General purpose | $4,000 |
| The Zac Plantz Foundation | South Bend, IN | General purpose | $3,060 |
| The Salvation Army | Alexandria, VA | General purpose | $3,000 |
| The Nicholas D Sergi Foundation | Oak Brook, IL | General purpose | $2,591 |
| Biltmore Scholarship Foundation | North Barrington, IL | General purpose | $2,500 |
| Barrington Children's Charities | Barrington, IL | General purpose | $2,073 |
| Hooved Animal Humane Society | Woodstock, IL | General purpose | $1,000 |
| Brookfield Zoo | Brookfield, IL | General purpose | $1,000 |
| Imerman Angels | Chicago, IL | General purpose | $832 |
| Heifer Intl | Little Rock, AR | General purpose | $564 |
| Babies Need Bottoms | Asheville, NC | General purpose | $538 |
| Advocate Charity Fund | Bolingbrook, IL | General purpose | $500 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $780,706 | 32 |
| 2023 | $599,900 | 33 |
| 2021 | $622,762 | 29 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Oct 29, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202513029349100331
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 26-1500324
- 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.