Virginia Lee Shirley Private Foundation
Invitation OnlyChicago, Illinois · EIN 27-2545558 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$501K
Organizations funded38
Typical grant$10,000
Total assets$9M
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
21% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Can Do Canines | New Hope, MN | General purposes | $55,000 |
| Ravinia | Highland Park, IL | General purposes | $50,000 |
| South Suburban Humane Society | Matteson, IL | General purposes | $30,000 |
| St Mary's School and Catholic Church | Dixon, IL | General purposes | $30,000 |
| Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation | Springfield, IL | General purposes | $25,000 |
| Deaf Unity - United Advocates Against Violence | Richmond, CA | General purposes | $25,000 |
| Duke Law School Annual Fund | Durham, NC | General purposes | $25,000 |
| Lurie Children's Foundation | Chicago, IL | General purposes | $25,000 |
| St Peter's Catholic Church | Clifton, IL | General purposes | $25,000 |
| Bishop Mcnamara Catholic School | Kankakee, IL | General purposes | $20,000 |
| Salvation Army | Chicago, IL | General purposes | $20,000 |
| Hadley Institute for the Blind | Winnetka, IL | General purposes | $12,500 |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters - Chicago | Chicago, IL | General purposes | $10,000 |
| Civic Leadership Foundation | Northbrook, IL | General purposes | $10,000 |
| Colgate University - Camp Colgate | Hamilton, NY | General purposes | $10,000 |
| Cystic Fibrosis Foundation | Manteno, IL | General purposes | $10,000 |
| Inspiration Stables | LA Motte, IA | General purposes | $10,000 |
| Mentor Teacher Brother Inc | Chicago, IL | General purposes | $10,000 |
| St Vincent de Paul Society | Sterling, IL | General purposes | $10,000 |
| The H Foundation | Lagrange, IL | General purposes | $10,000 |
| Youth Guidance | Chicago, IL | General purposes | $10,000 |
| Chicago Police Memorial Foundation | Chicago, IL | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Collaborative Community Housing Initiative | Highland Park, IL | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Empower Youth Network | Carnation, WA | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Fleur de Lis Camp | Fitzwilliam, NH | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Glenwood Academy | Glenwood, IL | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Granny Rose Animal Shelter | Dixon, IL | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Kalo Foundation of Park Ridge | Park Ridge, IL | General purposes | $5,000 |
| National Parkinson's Foundation | Miami, FL | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Newman Central Catholic High School | Sterling, IL | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Rush University Medical Center - Hearing Research | Chicago, IL | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Way Back Inn | Maywood, IL | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Wttwwfmt Public Tv and Radio | Chicago, IL | General purposes | $5,000 |
| Boy Scout Troop 155 | Mt Prospect, IL | General purposes | $3,000 |
| Sw Il Jets Basketball Club | Edwardsville, IL | General purposes | $2,500 |
| Cgh Health Foundation | Sterling, IL | General purposes | $1,000 |
| Harmony House for Cats | Chicago, IL | General purposes | $1,000 |
| Latinos Progresando | Chicago, IL | General purposes | $1,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $501,000 | 38 |
| 2024 | $448,100 | 31 |
| 2023 | $420,000 | 32 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed Apr 29, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202621199349100422
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 27-2545558
- 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.