The Boler Family Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The Boler Family Foundation funds education, healthcare, autism and community work, supporting universities and colleges, healthcare providers, youth-serving organisations, conservation bodies and community organisations, so nonprofits working in these areas may find a fit.
- However, it states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and operates by invitation only, so small charities should not send cold applications and would need an existing connection to be considered.
- Typical grants range from $5,000 to $1,000,000, with a median grant of $300,000 and half of its 31 grants at $300,000 or less, so a request in that lower range fits its usual pattern, though larger grants up to $1,000,000 do occur.
- Most of its grant dollars (82%) went to organisations it had already funded previously, suggesting a strong lean towards continuing relationships rather than funding many new organisations.
- No geographic focus is stated, though its filings show grants mainly in Illinois, Florida, Indiana and Ohio.
Overview
The Boler Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Schaumburg, IL.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) and web pages about the foundation (jcu.edu), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation is described as supporting education, healthcare, autism and community. Its recorded grants go to universities and colleges, healthcare providers, youth-serving organisations, conservation bodies and community organisations. Listed purposes include general support, support for first-generation college students, coastal habitat and aquatic-resource conservation, and island food programmes, workshops and social services. Its grants therefore span institutional support and local community services rather than one narrowly defined field. The sources do not set out a general eligibility test or a stated geographic limit for applicants.
Themes
- Education
- Healthcare
- Autism
- Community
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Illinois, Florida, Indiana and Ohio.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 82% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2023 or TY2024 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2023, TY2024 and TY2025 filings, half of its 31 grants to organisations were $300,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 22% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 82% of grant dollars went to organisations The Boler Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 1% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 11 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $600k (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- University of Notre Dame · To support university of notre dame$1,000,0002025 tax year
- John Carroll University · General support$1,000,0002025 tax year
- Rush University Medical Center · To support rush university medical center$1,000,0002025 tax year
- Museum of Science and Industries · General support$1,000,0002025 tax year
- Alexian Brothers Health System · General support$775,0002025 tax year
- Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation · To support the conservation of coastal habitats and aquatic resources on sanibel and captiva and the surrounding watershed$600,0002025 tax year
- Horizons for Youth · To support first generation college students$300,0002025 tax year
- Yampa Valley Autism Program · General support$50,0002025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Mary Jo Boler — Trustee
- Judith B Mccormack — Trustee
- Jill B Mccormack — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $3,561,164 | $3,267,500 | $67,876,802 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $4,726,885 | $4,342,500 | $75,004,682 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $6,128,508 | $5,742,500 | $81,618,246 | Filing for 2025 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to The Boler Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Schaumburg, IL
Applying to The Boler Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Schaumburg, IL