Private foundation · Chicago, IL

The Acorn Foundation

View org profile →Find similar funders →Invitation only
Typical grant size
$1K – $1K – $2K
25th · median · 75th percentile
Unique recipients
25
Repeat grantees
18
funded 2+ years

Application procedures · from 2024 990-PF

Leadership · from 2024 990-PF

Ralph Wanger
PRESIDENT
Kathleen Tucker
TREASURER
Eric David Wanger
DIRECTOR
Leonard Ralph Wanger
DIRECTOR
Debra Jane Wanger
DIRECTOR

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part VII. Officers, directors, and trustees as reported by the foundation.

Payout rate · TY 2024
18.7%
grants paid ÷ assets · ~5% IRS minimum
'20
'21
'22
'23
'24
94
Total grants awarded
$220K
Total amount
$2K
Average grant
$40K
Largest grant

Giving by year

2024
$87K
33 grants
2022
$45K
32 grants
2021
$40K
1 grants
2020
$48K
28 grants

Top recipients

Chicago Collegiate Charter School
2 grants · IL
$45K
3 grants · IL · ≈ likely match
$23K
University of Iowa Foundation
3 grants · IA
$12K
3 grants · IL · ✓ Exact match
$10K
The Fund for Sarah Lawrence - Sarah Lawrence College
3 grants · NY
$10K
2 grants · IL · ✓ Exact match
$9K
2 grants · ME · ≈ likely match
$8K
Friends of Payton School
3 grants · IL
$8K
3 grants · CA · ✓ Exact match
$6K
1 grant · IL · ✓ Exact match
$6K

Recipient names are as reported on the 990-PF. ✓ Exact match = EIN matched to IRS records by exact name + state; ≈ likely match = EIN inferred from a closely similar name. The recipient EIN is never stated on the form — it is DoubleNine’s match.

Recent grants · most recent filings first

Museum of Science and Industry
MUSEUM
IL · TY 2024
$12K
Depaul College Prep
EDUCATIONAL
IL · TY 2024
$6K
University of Iowa Foundation
EDUCATIONAL
IA · TY 2024
$6K
The Fund for Sarah Lawrence - Sarah Lawrence College
EDUCATIONAL
NY · TY 2024
$5K
Colby College
EDUCATIONAL
ME · TY 2024
$5K
Latin School of Chicago
EDUCATIONAL
IL · TY 2024
$3K
Friends of Lincoln Park High
EDUCATIONAL
IL · TY 2024
$3K
Friends of Payton School
EDUCATIONAL
IL · TY 2024
$3K
The Cornucopia Institute
ADVOCACY
WI · TY 2024
$2K
The Jarrett Meeker Foundation
HUMAN SERVICES
CA · TY 2024
$2K
Action Against Hunger-USA
HUMAN SERVICES
NY · TY 2024
$2K
The Actors' Fund of America
CULTURAL
NY · TY 2024
$2K
Hillel International
HUMAN SERVICES
DC · TY 2024
$2K
Anshe Emet Synagogue
RELIGIOUS
IL · TY 2024
$2K
Stanford University
EDUCATIONAL
CA · TY 2024
$2K
Charitywater
ENVIRONMENTAL
TN · TY 2024
$2K
Field Museum
MUSEUM
IL · TY 2024
$2K
Habitat for Humanity
HUMAN SERVICESHUMAN SERVICES
GA · TY 2024
$2K
Honeybee Research Facitlity-wsu Foundation
ENVIRONMENTAL
WA · TY 2024
$2K
Jewish Family Services of San Diego
HUMAN SERVICES
CA · TY 2024
$2K
Kpbs Tvfm
CULTURAL
CA · TY 2024
$2K
Ronald Mcdonald House
HUMAN SERVICES
IL · TY 2024
$2K
School Year Abroad - Office of Advancement
EDUCATIONAL
MA · TY 2024
$2K
University of Illinois Foundation Harker Hall Mc-386
EDUCATIONAL
IL · TY 2024
$2K
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
CULTURAL
IL · TY 2024
$2K
Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc
ADVOCACY
NY · TY 2024
$2K
Honestreporting
ADVOCACY
NY · TY 2024
$2K
Adler Planetarium
MUSEUM
IL · TY 2024
$1K
Human Rights Watch
HUMAN SERVICES
NY · TY 2024
$1K
Tufts University
EDUCATIONAL
MA · TY 2024
$1K
Federalist Society
ADVOCACY
DC · TY 2024
$1K
Interlochen Center for the Arts
CULTURAL
MI · TY 2024
$1K
Steppenwolf Theatre
CULTURAL
IL · TY 2024
$1K
Museum of Science and Industry
MUSEUM
IL · TY 2022
$5K
The Catherine Cook School
EDUCATIONAL
IL · TY 2022
$5K
University of Iowa Foundation
EDUCATIONAL
IA · TY 2022
$3K
The Fund for Sarah Lawrence - Sarah Lawrence College
EDUCATIONAL
NY · TY 2022
$3K
Friends of Payton School
EDUCATIONAL
IL · TY 2022
$3K
Colby College
EDUCATIONAL
ME · TY 2022
$3K
Latin School of Chicago
EDUCATIONAL
IL · TY 2022
$2K
The Cornucopia Institute
ADVOCACY
WI · TY 2022
$1K
The Actors' Fund of America
CULTURAL
NY · TY 2022
$1K
Action Against Hunger-USA
HUMAN SERVICES
NY · TY 2022
$1K
The Campanile Foundation
CULTURAL
CA · TY 2022
$1K
The Jarrett Meeker Foundation
HUMAN SERVICES
CA · TY 2022
$1K
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
CULTURAL
IL · TY 2022
$1K
Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc
ADVOCACY
NY · TY 2022
$1K
Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation
HUMAN SERVICES
DC · TY 2022
$1K
Tufts University
EDUCATIONAL
MA · TY 2022
$1K
Charitywater
ENVIRONMENTAL
NY · TY 2022
$1K

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part XV. Up to 50 most recent grants shown.