The Absher Charitable Foundation focuses its giving locally in and around Carmi, IL, prioritizing capital investments that strengthen community infrastructure—particularly education, healthcare, and emergency services. A large share of dollars supports university scholarships for individual students, while other major grants fund school facility upgrades, a new clinic, and firefighting equipment. The foundation tends to make a few substantial, project-focused gifts rather than many small awards.
A 2025 scholarship grant of $437,966 sets the tone for Absher Charitable Foundation Inc: this is a local funder that uses large, project-specific awards to support education, healthcare, and public services in White County, Illinois. Scholarship support is a recurring part of the portfolio, with repeated grants to university students through a “scholarships” line item across multiple years. Alongside those awards, the foundation has backed school facility work, a new clinic, and emergency-response equipment, showing a pattern of funding tangible upgrades rather than broad, open-ended support. The grants also point to a strong civic orientation in and around Carmi and nearby White County communities. School districts have received support for vocational lab renovations, dual-credit programming, reading initiatives, and classroom improvements. Community health and safety organizations appear as well, including a hospital foundation, fire departments, an ambulance service, and a child-protection center. The overall picture is of a foundation that directs most of its giving to local institutions working on infrastructure, student support, and essential services.
Education is the largest visible theme. Absher Charitable Foundation Inc gave $386,900 to Norris City-Omaha-Enfield CUSD #3 to renovate the entire home economics lab with commercial kitchens and five work stations, and $148,074 to Southeastern Illinois College for the dual credit program and new signage at the Carmi campus. In K–12 support, the foundation funded Carmi White County CUSD #5 twice in the recent record: $123,343 for a children’s recovery and summer reading program and curriculum subscription updates, and $71,694 for a reading program, curriculum subscription updates, and book vending machines in the elementary school. Health and safety are another clear thread. Ferrell Hospital Community Foundation received $300,000 to build a new clinic, while White County Ambulance Service received $110,701 for a new power load system and two Auto Pulse systems.
Recent grants cluster at the upper end of the foundation’s size range: p25 is $20,982, median grant size is $54,068, and p75 is $155,235. That pattern fits a small number of relatively substantial awards rather than many small ones. The recent record also shows repeat recipients across multiple years, including scholarship support and several local institutions. The foundation appears to operate as a private charitable funder focused on discretionary local grantmaking and scholarships. Program descriptions indicate that grants are not unsolicited, and the scholarship program is separately established from general healthcare-and-education grantmaking. The grant record is concentrated in Illinois, especially White County.
$1.5M
$44.1M
$13.6M
$1.8M
Most grants fall between $21K and $155K, with a median of $54K.
25th Percentile
$21K
Median
$54K
75th Percentile
$155K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants (six grants totaling ~$1.78M) with repeat support for scholarship programs and one-off capital projects aimed at tangible community infrastructure improvements.
Notable grantees: Scholarships (university scholarships for approved students), Norris City–Omaha–Enfield CUSD #3, Ferrell Hospital Community Foundation, Carmi Fire Department
Grantmaking is tightly centered in Illinois, with 96% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recent awards land in Carmi, Norris City, Eldorado, Harrisburg, and Clifton, with Carmi appearing most often in the grant list. The geographic pattern matches the foundation’s local scope: White County and nearby communities receive the bulk of support, and every recent grant in the provided sample went to a U.S. recipient.
The foundation funds healthcare and education in White County, Illinois, with recent grants for university scholarships, a school home economics lab renovation, dual-credit programming, a new clinic, ambulance equipment, fire department gear, and reading and curriculum support in local schools.
Typical grant size sits at $20,982 at the 25th percentile, $54,068 at the median, and $155,235 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list also includes several awards above $100,000 and some much smaller awards, such as $10,000 and $5,000.
Both patterns appear, but repeat support is visible. Scholarships were awarded in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Carmi White County CUSD #5 and Southeastern Illinois College each received multiple grants across different years.
Giving is concentrated in Illinois, which accounts for 96% of grants. Recent recipient cities include Carmi, Norris City, Eldorado, Harrisburg, and Clifton, reflecting a local White County-centered footprint.
The foundation does not fund individuals. Its active programs are organized around scholarships and general grants for healthcare, education, and community wellbeing in White County, Illinois.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCHOLARSHIPS | VARIOUS, IL | $684,052 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO UNIVERSITIES FOR APPROVED STUDENTS. |
| WHITE COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE | CARMI, IL | $659,628 | 2026 | PURCHASE 2 NEW AMBULANCES. |
| CARMI WHITE COUNTY CUSD#5 | CARMI, IL | $193,750 | 2026 | SECURITY UPGRADES, CHROMEBOOKS, CURRICULUM UPGRADE, BANK UNIFORMS, QUEST SPEAKERS, CHAIRS. |
| FERRELL HOSPITAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ELDORADO, IL | $108,759 | 2026 | PURCHASE BACKUP GENERATORS FOR CARMI CLINIC. |
| NORRIS CITY-OMAHA-ENFIELD CUSD #3 | NORRIS CITY, IL | $84,786 | 2026 | SECURITY UPGRADE AND TECH PROJECTORS FOR CLASSROOMS. |
| WHITE COUNTY SENIOR CENTER | CARMI, IL | $60,000 | 2026 | PROVIIDE NOT MEALS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. |
| WHITE COUNTY 4H | CARMI, IL | $50,100 | 2026 | NEW LIGHTING, FANS, BLEACHERS, UPDATES TO THE LIVESTOCK BARN. |
| SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE | HARRISBURG, IL | $49,721 | 2026 | TO PROVIDE TO THE DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM & NEW SIGNAGE AT THE CARMI CAMPUS. |
| CARMI FIRE DEPARTMENT | CARMI, IL | $12,948 | 2026 | TO PURCHASE NEW LETTERING, LIGHTS AND RADIOS FOR TRUCKS. |
| CARMI POLICE DEPARTMENT | CARMI, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TOWARD PURCHASE OF FLOCK CAMERAS. |
| WHITE COUNTY SHERIFF | CARMI, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TOWARD PURCHASE OF NEW PATROL CARS. |
| SAFE HAVEN | MT CARMEL, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | PAY SUPPORT STAFF FOR WOMEN'S HOMELESS SHELTER. |
| CROSSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT | CROSSVILLE, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TOWARD EQUIPMENT UPGRADES. |
| GRAYVILLE SENIOR CENTER | GRAYVILLE, IL | $8,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE HOT MEALS FOR SENIORS. |
| SIC TRADE CERTIFICATES | HARRISBURG, IL | $6,000 | 2026 | TRADE CERTIFICATE TRAINING |
| SCHOLARSHIPS | VARIOUS, IL | $437,966 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO UNIVERSITIES FOR APPROVED STUDENTS. |
| NORRIS CITY-OMAHA-ENFIELD CUSD #3 | NORRIS CITY, IL | $386,900 | 2025 | RENOVATE ENTIRE HOME EC LAB WITH COMMERCIAL KITCHENS & 5 WORK STATIONS. |
| CARMI FIRE DEPARTMENT | CARMI, IL | $195,414 | 2025 | TO PURCHASE NEW BRUSH TRUCKS, SIDE X SIDE, TANKS AND SKIDS. |
| SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE | HARRISBURG, IL | $148,074 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE TO THE DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM & NEW SIGNAGE AT THE CARMI CAMPUS. |
| WHITE COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE | CARMI, IL | $104,218 | 2025 | RED CROSS TRAINING & PAY OFF LOAN ON AMBULANCE. |
| CARMI WHITE COUNTY CUSD#5 | CARMI, IL | $71,694 | 2025 | READING PROGRAM,TO UPDATE CURRICULUM SUBSCRIPTION & INSTALL BOOK VENDING MACHINES IN ELEM. SCH. SUBSCRIPTION, INSTALL BOOK VENDING MACHINE IN ELEMENTARY SCH. |
| CARMI COMPASSION CENTER | CARMI, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | FUNDS TO ASSIST WITH A NEW BUILDING. |
| OPTICAL ACADEMY | CLIFTON, NJ | $31,500 | 2025 | VISION PROGRAM FOR NCOE & CWC SCHOOLS EYE SCREENING, EXAMS AND GLASSES. |
| THE GUARDIAN CENTER | CARMI, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | TO PURCHASE NEW VIDEO & AUDIO RECORDING EQUIPMENT FOR ABUSED CHILDREN. |
| FERRELL HOSPITAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ELDORADO, IL | $26,000 | 2025 | TO PURCHASE 2020 FORD ESCAPE TO TRANSPORT LAB WORK. |
| WHITE COUNTY SHERIFF | CARMI, IL | $11,158 | 2025 | TO PURCHASE AED EQUIPMENT FOR SQUAD CARS. |
| NORRIS CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT | NORRIS CITY, IL | $10,694 | 2025 | TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, FOAM PACKS, EXTINGUISHERS & FIRE BLANKETS. |
| WHITE COUNTY CEO | CARMI, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN STARTING A BUSINESS. |
| WHITE COUNTY 4H | CARMI, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | NEW LIGHTING, FANS, BLEACHERS, UPDATES TO THE LIVESTOCK BARN. |
| CARMI CHRISTMAS ELVES | CARMI, IL | $25 | 2025 | DISPLAY SIGN AT CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL. |
| SCHOLARSHIPS | VARIOUS, IL | $280,160 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO UNIVERSITIES FOR APPROVED STUDENTS. |
| CARMI WHITE COUNTY CUSD#5 | CARMI, IL | $123,343 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE CHILDREN A RECOVERY AND SUMMER READING PROGRAM.TO UPDATE THE CURRICULUM SUBSCRIPTION. |
| WHITE COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE | CARMI, IL | $110,701 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE A NEW POWER LOAD SYSTEM AND TWO AUTO PULSE SYSTEMS. |
| NORRIS CITY-OMAHA-ENFIELD CUSD #3 | NORRIS CITY, IL | $58,136 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE A SOUND AND LIGHTING SYSTEM. |
| SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE | HARRISBURG, IL | $26,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE TO THE DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM. |
| CARMI FIRE DEPARTMENT | CARMI, IL | $24,256 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE GEAR, HOSES, AND RADIOS. |
| FERRELL HOSPITAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | ELDORADO, IL | $300,000 | 2023 | TO BUILD A NEW CLINIC. |
| SCHOLARSHIPS | VARIOUS, IL | $176,718 | 2023 | TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO UNIVERSITIES FOR APPROVED STUDENTS. |
| WHITE COUNTY CEO PROGRAM | CARMI, IL | $5,000 | 2023 | TO PROVIDE CHILDREN THE EXPERIENCE IN MAINTAINING THEIR OWN BUSINESS. |
SCHOLARSHIPS
$684,052TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO UNIVERSITIES FOR APPROVED STUDENTS.
WHITE COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE
$659,628PURCHASE 2 NEW AMBULANCES.
CARMI WHITE COUNTY CUSD#5
$193,750SECURITY UPGRADES, CHROMEBOOKS, CURRICULUM UPGRADE, BANK UNIFORMS, QUEST SPEAKERS, CHAIRS.
FERRELL HOSPITAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$108,759PURCHASE BACKUP GENERATORS FOR CARMI CLINIC.
NORRIS CITY-OMAHA-ENFIELD CUSD #3
$84,786SECURITY UPGRADE AND TECH PROJECTORS FOR CLASSROOMS.
WHITE COUNTY SENIOR CENTER
$60,000PROVIIDE NOT MEALS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS.
WHITE COUNTY 4H
$50,100NEW LIGHTING, FANS, BLEACHERS, UPDATES TO THE LIVESTOCK BARN.
SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE
$49,721TO PROVIDE TO THE DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM & NEW SIGNAGE AT THE CARMI CAMPUS.
CARMI FIRE DEPARTMENT
$12,948TO PURCHASE NEW LETTERING, LIGHTS AND RADIOS FOR TRUCKS.
CARMI POLICE DEPARTMENT
$10,000TOWARD PURCHASE OF FLOCK CAMERAS.
WHITE COUNTY SHERIFF
$10,000TOWARD PURCHASE OF NEW PATROL CARS.
SAFE HAVEN
$10,000PAY SUPPORT STAFF FOR WOMEN'S HOMELESS SHELTER.
CROSSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT
$10,000TOWARD EQUIPMENT UPGRADES.
GRAYVILLE SENIOR CENTER
$8,000PROVIDE HOT MEALS FOR SENIORS.
SIC TRADE CERTIFICATES
$6,000TRADE CERTIFICATE TRAINING
SCHOLARSHIPS
$437,966TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO UNIVERSITIES FOR APPROVED STUDENTS.
NORRIS CITY-OMAHA-ENFIELD CUSD #3
$386,900RENOVATE ENTIRE HOME EC LAB WITH COMMERCIAL KITCHENS & 5 WORK STATIONS.
CARMI FIRE DEPARTMENT
$195,414TO PURCHASE NEW BRUSH TRUCKS, SIDE X SIDE, TANKS AND SKIDS.
SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE
$148,074TO PROVIDE TO THE DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM & NEW SIGNAGE AT THE CARMI CAMPUS.
WHITE COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE
$104,218RED CROSS TRAINING & PAY OFF LOAN ON AMBULANCE.
CARMI WHITE COUNTY CUSD#5
$71,694READING PROGRAM,TO UPDATE CURRICULUM SUBSCRIPTION & INSTALL BOOK VENDING MACHINES IN ELEM. SCH. SUBSCRIPTION, INSTALL BOOK VENDING MACHINE IN ELEMENTARY SCH.
CARMI COMPASSION CENTER
$50,000FUNDS TO ASSIST WITH A NEW BUILDING.
OPTICAL ACADEMY
$31,500VISION PROGRAM FOR NCOE & CWC SCHOOLS EYE SCREENING, EXAMS AND GLASSES.
THE GUARDIAN CENTER
$30,000TO PURCHASE NEW VIDEO & AUDIO RECORDING EQUIPMENT FOR ABUSED CHILDREN.
FERRELL HOSPITAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$26,000TO PURCHASE 2020 FORD ESCAPE TO TRANSPORT LAB WORK.
WHITE COUNTY SHERIFF
$11,158TO PURCHASE AED EQUIPMENT FOR SQUAD CARS.
NORRIS CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
$10,694TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT, FOAM PACKS, EXTINGUISHERS & FIRE BLANKETS.
WHITE COUNTY CEO
$10,000TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN STARTING A BUSINESS.
WHITE COUNTY 4H
$5,000NEW LIGHTING, FANS, BLEACHERS, UPDATES TO THE LIVESTOCK BARN.
CARMI CHRISTMAS ELVES
$25DISPLAY SIGN AT CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL.
SCHOLARSHIPS
$280,160TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO UNIVERSITIES FOR APPROVED STUDENTS.
CARMI WHITE COUNTY CUSD#5
$123,343TO PROVIDE CHILDREN A RECOVERY AND SUMMER READING PROGRAM.TO UPDATE THE CURRICULUM SUBSCRIPTION.
WHITE COUNTY AMBULANCE SERVICE
$110,701TO PROVIDE A NEW POWER LOAD SYSTEM AND TWO AUTO PULSE SYSTEMS.
NORRIS CITY-OMAHA-ENFIELD CUSD #3
$58,136TO PROVIDE A SOUND AND LIGHTING SYSTEM.
SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE
$26,000TO PROVIDE TO THE DUAL CREDIT PROGRAM.
CARMI FIRE DEPARTMENT
$24,256TO PROVIDE GEAR, HOSES, AND RADIOS.
FERRELL HOSPITAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$300,000TO BUILD A NEW CLINIC.
SCHOLARSHIPS
$176,718TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS TO UNIVERSITIES FOR APPROVED STUDENTS.
WHITE COUNTY CEO PROGRAM
$5,000TO PROVIDE CHILDREN THE EXPERIENCE IN MAINTAINING THEIR OWN BUSINESS.