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Julius W Hegeler II Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.4M
Grant Range
$50K - $3.0M

Julius W Hegeler II Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,363,110 (2023); $2,448,543 (2024)
  • Assets: $55.9 million
  • Average Grant Size: $174,896
  • Number of Awards: 11 grants (2023), 14 grants (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Illinois, primarily Danville and surrounding communities (Decatur, Peru, Rossville, Urbana, Westville)

Contact Details

Address: 1521 N Vermilion St, Danville, IL 61832

Phone: (217) 442-1521

Executive Director: Lois Wise

Website: Information available through vermilionadvantage.com

Overview

The Julius W Hegeler II Foundation was established in 1992 when founder Julius W. Hegeler II placed 90 percent of his fortune into the foundation to support his hometown of Danville, Illinois. The foundation continues the philanthropic legacy of Julius W. Hegeler II, a Korean War veteran, Air Force fighter pilot, and successful businessman who co-founded Peterson-Puritan Inc., which became the world's largest contract packager of chemical specialties. With assets of $55.9 million, the foundation is dedicated to supporting and promoting the arts, education, and community development in the Danville area. The foundation made significant impact through Julius Hegeler's lifetime gifts exceeding $15 million before his passing in July 2019 at age 91, and continues his mission to strengthen local organizations and projects focusing on education, environmental education, health care, historic preservation, the arts, veterans, and helping people with disabilities.

Funding Priorities

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on multiple areas within the Danville community and surrounding Illinois communities:

Education

  • K-12 education initiatives
  • Community college programs and facilities
  • Educational facilities and infrastructure
  • Scholarships and educational access programs

Arts & Culture

  • Visual and performing arts centers
  • Arts education programs
  • Historic preservation projects
  • Cultural facilities development

Healthcare

  • Medical center improvements
  • Cancer care facilities
  • Hospital infrastructure

Social Services

  • Services for people with disabilities
  • Vocational training centers
  • Workforce development programs
  • Veterans services

Community Development

  • Environmental education
  • Community infrastructure projects
  • Local nonprofit capacity building

Known Grant Examples

Based on Julius Hegeler's documented giving through the foundation and personal contributions:

  • $3 million bequest to Danville Area Community College Foundation for visual and performing arts center (conversion of 1905 Carnegie library into Alice Jacobs arts center)
  • $3 million bond funding support for DACC Braun Technology Center addition
  • $2 million to Danville Public School Foundation
  • $3 million for cancer center at OSF Sacred Heart Medical Center
  • $3 million to Presence United Samaritans Medical Center
  • $3 million planned gift for vocational center at WorkSource (disability services)
  • $3 million to Workforce Enterprises

Application Requirements

According to available information, application forms need to:

  • Describe in detail the proposed use of requested funds
  • Include proof of grantee 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Demonstrate that use of requested funds supports the nonprofit charitable purpose

Governance and Leadership

Board and Staff:

  • Philip Muehl - President/Director
  • Mary Norenberg - Secretary
  • Lois Wise - Executive Director (30 hours per week, $94,000 annual compensation)
  • Gilbert Saikley - Director

The foundation operates as a private grantmaking foundation (EIN: 37-1302455) and files IRS Form 990-PF annually.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation does not appear to have a widely publicized public application process or online application portal. As a private foundation with a strong focus on Danville and the immediate surrounding area, the foundation appears to identify grant opportunities through established relationships and knowledge of local community needs.

Application materials must include:

  • Completed application form describing proposed use of funds in detail
  • Proof of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
  • Demonstration that the project supports nonprofit charitable purposes

Prospective applicants should contact the foundation directly:

  • Phone: (217) 442-1521
  • Address: 1521 N Vermilion St, Danville, IL 61832
  • Executive Director: Lois Wise

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly documented. As a private foundation with 11-19 grants awarded annually, the foundation likely evaluates proposals on a rolling basis or at periodic board meetings.

Success Rates

With 11 awards made in 2023 from total giving of $1,363,110, and 14 awards in 2024 totaling $2,448,543, the foundation makes selective grants with an average size of approximately $174,896. The relatively small number of annual grants suggests a competitive process focused on significant community impact projects.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented giving history and priorities:

Strong Geographic Connection to Danville The foundation's mission is deeply rooted in supporting Danville, Illinois, and the immediate surrounding communities. Projects with clear, direct benefit to the local area are strongly preferred.

Large-Scale Community Impact Projects The foundation's giving history demonstrates preference for substantial grants (often in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars) that create lasting infrastructure or programs. Projects should demonstrate significant, measurable community impact.

Alignment with Core Focus Areas Successful grants have supported education facilities and programs, arts and cultural infrastructure, healthcare facilities, services for people with disabilities, and veterans services. Projects should align clearly with one or more of these established priority areas.

Organizational Stability and Capacity The foundation supports established organizations with the capacity to manage significant grants and deliver on promised outcomes. Proof of 501(c)(3) status and demonstrated organizational capability are essential.

Legacy and Long-Term Benefit Julius Hegeler's giving philosophy emphasized creating lasting legacies in his community. Projects that will serve the community for years to come, particularly capital improvements and enduring programs, align with the foundation's approach.

Clear, Detailed Proposals Applications must describe in detail the proposed use of requested funds and demonstrate how the project supports nonprofit charitable purposes, indicating the foundation values thorough, well-planned proposals.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Local focus is critical: This foundation exists to serve Danville and immediate surrounding Illinois communities. Geographic alignment is essential.

  • Think big and long-term: With an average grant size of $174,896 and history of million-dollar gifts, the foundation supports substantial, transformative projects rather than small operational requests.

  • Capital projects and infrastructure align well: The foundation has a strong track record of supporting building projects, facility improvements, and lasting infrastructure in education, healthcare, and arts.

  • Establish relationships first: As a private foundation without a public application portal, building relationships with foundation leadership and demonstrating deep community roots may be important for consideration.

  • Focus on established priorities: Education, arts, healthcare, disability services, and veterans services have been clearly demonstrated as funding priorities through the foundation's giving history.

  • Demonstrate community partnership: The foundation's support for multi-year commitments and complex projects suggests they value organizations with strong community partnerships and proven track records.

  • Prepare comprehensive documentation: Detailed proposals with clear demonstration of charitable purpose and organizational capacity are required for consideration.

References

Information accessed December 2025

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