Lost Pond Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests and gives only to preselected charitable organisations, so an organisation without an existing connection should not send a cold application and should first look for a way to be invited.
- Its filings show grants mainly in Illinois, Ohio, New York, Indiana and Michigan, but no geographic focus is stated, so these states describe where grants have gone rather than who may apply.
- Most of its grants are modest: about 8 in 10 of its 73 grants to organisations fell between $2,500 and $155,000, and half were $25,000 or less, so a request in that region fits its typical pattern, although its largest grant was about $740,000 to Fidelity Charitable.
- Repeat funding is common, with 57% of its grant dollars in its latest filing going to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so relationships appear to matter a great deal.
- Its stated purpose is operational and programme expenses, and the filings do not identify a single funding field, so a group should make clear how its work fits that kind of support.
Overview
Lost Pond Foundation is a US private foundation based in Hinsdale, IL.
What they fund
Profile based on the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2025, TY2024, TY2023) only: no website or other web source for the foundation was found. Every statement is checked against the filings. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The filings do not identify a particular funding field; the recorded grants went to a broad range of charitable organisations. Their recipients include health and medical charities, food banks, youth and education organisations, conservation groups, churches and other religious bodies, cultural institutions, universities, and organisations providing homeless outreach. The stated purpose throughout is support for operational and programme expenses. The foundation's application information indicates a selective approach: it contributes only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Illinois, Ohio, New York, Indiana and Michigan.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2025 filing, 57% 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 73 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2023–2025.
Grant dollars by state
2 other states: 3%
- The largest single recipient received 25% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2025, 57% of grant dollars went to organisations Lost Pond Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 25% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 29 grants in tax year 2025 by size
Median $50,000 (tax year 2025)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Indiana University Foundation · To support operational and program expenses.$255,0002025 tax year
- Nature Conservancy · To support operational and program expenses.$200,0002025 tax year
- Breakthrough T1D · To support operational and program expenses.$175,0002025 tax year
- Catholic Charities Diocese of Joliet · To support operational and program expenses.$155,0002025 tax year
- Alzheimer's Association · To support operational and program expenses.$150,0002025 tax year
- By the Hand Club for Kids · To support operational and program expenses.$150,0002025 tax year
- Doctors Without Borders · To support operational and program expenses.$100,0002025 tax year
- Donald Danforth Plant Science Center · To support operational and program expenses.$100,0002025 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Amanda W Wilson — Secretary
- Gregory W Wilson — Treasurer
- Susan Wilson — President
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 tax year | $1,657,523 | $1,509,477 | $38,723,570 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $1,840,653 | $1,676,661 | $43,925,714 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
| 2025 tax year | $2,247,012 | $2,003,350 | $49,864,328 | 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 Lost Pond Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Hinsdale, IL
Applying to Lost Pond Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Hinsdale, IL