The Bersted Foundation
Dallas, TX · EIN 36-6493609. Reported 268 grants totalling $4,470,006 to 114 organizations across tax years 2021-2024. This foundation did not tell the IRS it funds only preselected organizations.
Does this foundation accept applications?
Yes -- on its own tax return. Form 990-PF asks every private foundation whether it makes grants only to organizations it selects itself. Of the 91,758 foundations in our data that made a grant and answered, 78% said yes -- and applying to those is wasted effort. The Bersted Foundation did not check that box on its most recent filing, which puts it in the minority that is at least open to being approached.
How big are its grants?
The median grant is $15,000. Half of everything it gave fell between $10,000 and $20,000; the smallest was $2,500 and the largest $45,000. If you are asking for materially more than the top of that range, you are asking the wrong foundation.
Every organization it funded
This is the complete list from its filings, largest first. Years funded is the number of separate tax years in which the organization received money -- more than one means a real relationship rather than a one-off.
| Organization | Location | Total received | Grants | Years funded | Last |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wayside Cross Ministries | Aurora, IL | $115,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Aurora Area Interfaith Food Pantry | Aurora, IL | $100,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Northen Illinois Food Bank | Geneva, IL | $100,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Outreach Community Ministries | Carol Stream, IL | $100,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Dupage Pads Inc | Wheaton, IL | $95,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Senior Home Sharing | Wheaton, IL | $95,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Suicide Prevention | Batavia, IL | $95,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Little Friends Inc | Naperville, IL | $90,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Mutual Ground Inc | Aurora, IL | $90,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| People's Resource Center | Wheaton, IL | $90,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Marklund Children's Home | Geneva, IL | $87,181 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| CASA Kane County | Geneva, IL | $85,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Donka Inc | Wheaton, IL | $80,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Loaves and Fishes Community Pant | Naperville, IL | $80,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| NAMI of Dupage County Illinois | Wheaton, IL | $80,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Bridge Communities | Glen Ellyn, IL | $75,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Fox Valley Christian Action | St Charles, IL | $75,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Greater Elgin Family Care Center | Elgin, IL | $75,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Alive Center | Naperville, IL | $72,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Family Shelter Service Inc | Wheaton, IL | $70,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Independence Health & Therapy | Woodstock, IL | $70,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Ray Graham Assn for Disabled People | Lisle, IL | $70,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| The Morton Arboretum | Lisle, IL | $70,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Glen Ellyn Children's Community | Glenn Ellyn, IL | $65,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| The Rosecrance Foundation | Rockford, IL | $65,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| 360 Transitional Living | Naperville, IL | $60,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| CASA of Dupage County Inc | Wheaton, IL | $60,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Consumer Credit Counseling Serv | Woodstock, IL | $60,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Dupage Children's Museum | Naperville, IL | $60,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Elyssas Mission | Mprtjnrppl, IL | $60,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Neighborhood Food Pantries | Bloomingdale, IL | $60,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Adventure Works | Dekalb, IL | $57,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Voluntary Action Center of Dekalb County | Sycamore, IL | $57,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Teen Parent Connection | Glen Ellyn, IL | $55,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago | Chicago, IL | $54,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Fox Valley Hands of Hope | Geneva, IL | $48,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Almost Home Kids | Chicago, IL | $45,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet | Joliet, IL | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Family Service Agency | Dekalb, IL | $45,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Home of the Sparrow | Mchenry, IL | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Kishwaukee Family YMCA | Sycamore, IL | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Metropolitan Familiy Services | Chicago, IL | $45,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Naperville Elderly Homes | Naperville, IL | $45,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Hope's Front Door | Downers Grove, IL | $40,750 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Elgin | Elgin, IL | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Community House | Hinsdale, IL | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Dayone Pact | Lisle, IL | $40,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Edward Hospital Foundation | Naperville, IL | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| Literacy Volunteers Fox Valley | St Charles, IL | $40,000 | 4 | 4 | 2024 |
| American Cancer Society | Chicago, IL | $35,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Ramp Inc | Rockford, IL | $35,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Chicago Child Care Society | Chicago, IL | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Christians Against Poverty | Lisle, IL | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Dupage Health Coalition | Carol Stream, IL | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Family Focus | Aurora, IL | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Family Health Partnership Clinic | Crystal Lake, IL | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Fox Valley Habitat for Humanit | Montgomery, IL | $30,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Junior Achievement of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Not for Profit Resources | Crystal Lake, IL | $30,000 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Rush Copley Foundation | Aurora, IL | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| The Literacy Connection | Elgin, IL | $30,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Barrington Youth and Familyserv | Barrington, IL | $27,500 | 3 | 3 | 2023 |
| Ascension Illinois Foundation | Bolingbrook, IL | $27,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Consumer Credit Counseling | Woodstock, IL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois | Elgin, IL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Dekalb Ct | Sycamore, IL | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Habitat for Humanity of Mchenry | Mchenry, IL | $25,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Tls Veterans | Crystal Lake, IL | $25,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Aurora Early Edu and Child Care | Aurora, IL | $21,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Back to School Fair | Crest Hill, IL | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Boy Scouts of America - 3 Fires | St Charles, IL | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Dominican Literacy Center | Aurora, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Ecker Center for Mental Health | Elgin, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Fellowship Housing Corporation | Hoffman Estates, IL | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Food for Greater Elgin | Elgin, IL | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Fox Valley Older Adult Services | Sandwich, IL | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Hope for Tomorrow Inc | Aurora, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Love Christian Clearing House | Westmont, IL | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Northeast Dupage Family & Youth | Addison, IL | $20,000 | 2 | 2 | 2023 |
| Northwestern Memorial Foundation | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Safe Passages | Dekalb, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Turning Point Inc | Woodstock, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| West Suburban Community Pantry | Woodridge, IL | $20,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Youth Outlook | Naperville, IL | $20,000 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Cycling Without Age Mchenry County | Crystal Lake, IL | $17,500 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Fox Valley United Way | Airpra, IL | $17,500 | 3 | 3 | 2024 |
| Habitat for Humanity International | Mchenry, IL | $17,500 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Habitat for Humanity Int Inc | Wheaton, IL | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Lazarus House | St Charles, IL | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Prairie State Legal Services | Wheaton, IL | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Young Invincibles | Washington, DC | $15,000 | 1 | 1 | 2022 |
| Synapse House | Downers Grove, IL | $12,500 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Barb City Manor Inc | Dekalb, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Boy Scouts of America | Champaign, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Chicago Voyagers | Schaumburg, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Creo Dupage Ltd | Glen Ellyn, IL | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Dupage Federation on Human Service Reform | Lombard, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Elgin Math & Science Academy | Elgin, IL | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2024 |
| Hearthstone Communities | Woodstock, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Kidsmatter | Naperville, IL | $10,000 | 2 | 2 | 2022 |
| Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry | Aurora, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Midwest Shelter for Homeless Vet | S Carlton Ave, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Naperville Heritage Society | Naperville, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| New Directions Addiction Recover | Woodstock, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Northeast Dupage Fam & Youth Ser | Addison, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Outspoken Leaders | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Sharing Connections | Downers Grove, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2021 |
| Visiting Nurse Association of Augrant | Aurora, IL | $10,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Western Dupage Special Recreation | Carol Stream, IL | $8,575 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Harvard Senior Services | Cambridge, MA | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Home Centered Care Institute | Schaumburg, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
| Little Brothers | Chicago, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2023 |
| Sounds Good Choir | Downers Grove, IL | $5,000 | 1 | 1 | 2024 |
76 of 114 (67%) received money in more than one year over the 4 years we hold.
Measured the way we measure every foundation -- what share of one year's grantees are funded again the next -- this one retains 68%, across 3 year-to-year transitions. The median foundation retains about 67%, so this one is about typical. A high number means its list is close to settled and a newcomer has to displace someone; a low one means it is still moving money around, which is where an opening is.
What the money was for
Taken verbatim from the purpose field of its filings. This is the closest thing to a statement of what this foundation cares about, in its own words.
- Fox Valley Habitat for Humanit
EDUCATIONAL INTERN PROGRAM - Family Health Partnership Clinic
THE CARE MANAGER PROGRAM. - Little Friends Inc
RENOVATIONS FOR COMMUNITY - Outreach Community Ministries
OUTREACH YORK AFTER-SCHOOL - Metropolitan Familiy Services
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER - Aurora Early Edu and Child Care
UPGRADE AND INCREASE SAFTEY
What kind of organizations it funds
By the recipient's own IRS classification, for the 138 grants where we could identify the organization. These are assigned categories, not our guesses.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants | Total | Median grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 65 | $1,053,500 | $15,000 |
| 2022 | 68 | $1,200,500 | $20,000 |
| 2023 | 65 | $1,118,472 | $15,000 |
| 2024 | 70 | $1,097,534 | $15,000 |
Tax years, not calendar years, and the most recent year is usually incomplete -- filings arrive about a year late, so a low final year means late paperwork rather than a foundation winding down.
Where its money goes
Foundations concentrate geographically far more than their mission statements suggest. 100% of this one's giving went to organizations in Illinois. If you are outside its footprint, that matters more than how well your programme fits.
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Funders that support the same organizations
These funders gave to organizations this one also funded -- some private foundations, some community foundations and other grantmaking charities. Shared grantees are the strongest available signal that two funders have overlapping priorities, and a funder already backing your peers is a far warmer prospect than one that merely lists your cause.
How to approach this foundation
- Check you are its size. The median grant is $15,000. Asking for ten times that is the most common way small organizations waste a submission.
- Check you are in its geography. Its giving is concentrated in Illinois.
- Read the recipient list above for organizations like yours. If nothing on it resembles your work, that is a real answer, and a cheap one to get.
- Look up the current filing before writing. The 990-PF names the foundation's officers and, where one exists, its application procedure. We link it below.
Related guides
Where these numbers come from
Everything above is taken from The Bersted Foundation's own Form 990-PF filings, which the IRS publishes in bulk. We used 4 returns (tax years 2021-2024). Nothing here is scraped, inferred, or estimated.
Address of record on the latest return: Po Box 653067, Dallas, TX, 75265. This is the address the foundation gave the IRS; many small foundations file through an accountant or a bank trust department, so it may not be where post to a programme officer should go.
EIN 36-6493609 · See the original filings on ProPublica · How we build this
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