John D Brubaker Charitable Trust

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $783,300 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $2,500 - $230,000
• Geographic Focus: Northern Illinois (Rockford, Chicago, Litchfield) and Massachusetts

Contact Details

• Website: https://jdbrubaker.org/
• Phone: Not publicly available
• Email: Not publicly available
• Address: Cherry Valley, IL 61016

Overview

The John D Brubaker Charitable Trust, also known as the John D. Brubaker Family Foundation, is a private foundation established in 2020 following the passing of John Dean "Jake" Brubaker, a successful businessman and long-time philanthropist in Northern Illinois. With total assets of approximately $30.9 million, the foundation distributed $783,300 in grants during 2024 to seven organizations. The foundation supports organizations working to strengthen, enliven, and conserve Northern Illinois through initiatives that educate and empower young people, create opportunities to engage with nature, and bring people of all ages together in the spirit of community. The foundation has steadily increased its grant-making activity since inception, growing from one grant in 2021 to seven grants in 2024.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

• General Operating Support: $2,500 - $230,000 (application method not publicly disclosed)
• Project-Based Grants: Amount varies based on project scope

Priority Areas

• Education initiatives that empower young people
• Environmental conservation and nature engagement programs
• Community development and programs that bring diverse ages together
• Nature education and outdoor classroom initiatives
• Land conservation in Northern Illinois

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated in available materials

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees:

• Erin Beto - Trustee
• Jay A. Baker - Trustee
• Steven Brubaker - Trustee

The foundation was established in connection with the estate of John Dean "Jake" Brubaker (1930-2020), who built Aqua-Aerobic Systems into a successful worldwide water treatment systems manufacturer. Jake Brubaker was known as a quiet philanthropist and business mentor in the Rockford area.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Based on available research, this foundation may not accept unsolicited applications. Related trust documentation indicates the foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations" and "does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Organizations should visit the foundation website at jdbrubaker.org to verify current application policies or contact the foundation directly for guidance.

Getting on Their Radar

Since the foundation may operate primarily through trustee discretion and pre-selected organizations, potential grantees should consider:

• The foundation appears to identify beneficiaries through existing relationships in the Northern Illinois philanthropic community
• Past grantees include established institutions like Burpee Museum of Natural History and Natural Land Institute
• Working with the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, which has partnered with the Brubaker foundation on projects
• Building relationships within the Rockford area nonprofit and business community where the Brubaker family has deep roots

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available

Success Rates

Not publicly available - the foundation awarded 7 grants in 2024, 5 grants in 2023, 2 grants in 2022, and 1 grant in 2021

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly disclosed

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's giving history and stated mission:

• Organizations serving Northern Illinois, specifically the Rockford, Chicago, and Litchfield areas have received funding
• Projects that combine youth education with nature engagement align strongly with foundation priorities, as seen in their support of Burpee Museum's Nature Nook outdoor classroom
• Established organizations with strong community reputations appear favored - past grantees include institutions with 50+ year histories
• Projects that create lasting infrastructure for nature education and community engagement have been funded
• The foundation values organizations that "strengthen, enliven, and conserve Northern Illinois" according to their mission statement

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• This is a relatively new foundation (2020) with growing grant activity and substantial assets
• Geographic focus on Northern Illinois is critical - organizations outside Rockford, Chicago, Litchfield, or Massachusetts are unlikely to be considered
• The foundation may not accept unsolicited applications - relationship building appears essential
• Focus areas of youth education, nature engagement, and community building should all be addressed in any approach
• Grant sizes vary significantly ($2,500 to $230,000), suggesting flexibility based on project merit
• The foundation's connection to water systems industry through Jake Brubaker may make environmental/conservation projects particularly appealing
• Partnership with established Northern Illinois organizations may improve chances of consideration

References

• Cause IQ Foundation Profile - John D Brubaker Charitable Trust (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Grantmakers.io Profile for John D Brubaker Charitable Trust, EIN 836406448 (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - John D Brubaker Charitable Trust (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Burpee Museum of Natural History - Nature Nook Project Announcement (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Natural Land Institute Website - Mission and History (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Legacy.com - John Dean Brubaker Obituary, October 2020 (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Instrumentl Foundation Profile - John D. Brubaker Family Foundation (Accessed March 10, 2026)
• Community Foundation of Northern Illinois - Partner Organizations (Accessed March 10, 2026)