The Alben F & Clara G Bates Foundation gives across health, education, community cultural institutions, and conservation with a clear local/regional bent (Elmhurst/Chicago area and specific community anchors like Ocean Reef). They favor repeat, mission-focused support for hospitals, disability and children’s services, local universities and cultural organizations, and land/conservation groups. Grants are often modest-to-mid sized and targeted (many grantees receive multiple grants), suggesting ongoing relationships rather than one-off gifts.
The Alben F & Clara G Bates Foundation’s recent grantmaking is marked by repeated unrestricted support to the same local and regional institutions over several years. Gigi’s Playhouse - Chicago received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, including a $28,000 gift in 2025, while Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Assn and Elmhurst University also appear multiple times in the recent grants list. That pattern points to a funder that builds ongoing relationships rather than making one-time awards. The foundation supports health, education, community cultural institutions, and conservation. Its portfolio includes disability-focused services, pediatric and hospital care, local higher education, and land stewardship, with grants reaching organizations in Elmhurst, Chicago, Key Largo, Durham, Belmont, and beyond. Several awards are described as unrestricted, indicating flexible support for recipients’ general needs. Recent grants also show a clear interest in community anchors outside Illinois. Ocean Reef Cultural Center and Ocean Reef Chapel Foundatoin Inc in Key Largo each received repeated support, and Yellowstoneyukon Conservation was funded in multiple years. The foundation’s giving is national in scope, but many of its grants cluster around long-standing institutions and place-based organizations that serve specific communities.
In disability and pediatric-focused philanthropy, the foundation gave $28,000 to Gigi’s Playhouse - Chicago in 2025, following grants of $24,000 in 2024 and $23,000 in 2023. It also supported Keys Children Foundation and Fight With Me, both listed among its focus areas. Health-related giving extends to hospitals and medical research. Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Assn received $20,000 in 2024 and again in 2025, and Mclean Hospital received $20,000 in 2023 and 2024, with another $15,000 grant in 2025. Brain & Behavior Research Fdn also appears in the recent grants list. Education and community institutions are another recurring thread. Elmhurst University received $20,000 in 2023, 2024, and 2025, while Elmhurst Heritage Foundation received repeated $20,000 grants. The foundation also funded Elmhurst Family YMCA and the American Theatre Wing, showing support for both local and national civic institutions.
$709K
$1.3M
$652K
$747K
Most grants fall between $2K and $4K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$4K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Alben F & Clara G Bates Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 486 | $2.1M | 99.4% |
| 2 | Canada |
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Concentrated, relationship-driven giving: many repeat (often three) grants to the same organizations, mid-sized awards rather than single very large gifts, and a mix of local community anchors and select national medical/research recipients.
Notable grantees: Gigi’s Playhouse – Chicago, Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Association, Elmhurst University, Triangle Land Conservancy, Ocean Reef Cultural Center / Ocean Reef Community Foundation
Typical awards are modest to mid-sized: the 25th percentile and median are both $2,000, and the 75th percentile is $4,450. The recent grants list shows a much larger set of recurring unrestricted gifts, including several $20,000 awards and a $28,000 grant, which suggests a pattern of selective larger commitments layered over many smaller grants. The foundation is a regular funder rather than a DAF, does not fund individuals, and does not make program-related investments. Recipients often appear across multiple years, indicating ongoing relationships rather than isolated one-off gifts.
Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in the United States, with 99.4% of grants going to US organizations and 0.6% to Canada. Illinois is a major recipient state, accounting for 32% of grants, but the foundation also gives frequently in Florida, where several Key Largo organizations appear. Recent grants show activity in Chicago, Elmhurst, Key Largo, Durham, Belmont, and Williams Bay, with Canadian grants going to Canmore Tw P.
Its focus areas include local hospital and medical research support, services for people with disabilities and pediatric or child-focused health, local higher education and school support, community cultural institutions and performing arts, and land conservation and regional environmental stewardship. Recent grantees include Gigi’s Playhouse - Chicago, Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Assn, Elmhurst University, and Triangle Land Conservancy Inc.
The grant-size distribution is centered on smaller awards: the 25th percentile and median are both $2,000, and the 75th percentile is $4,450. The recent grants list also includes larger recurring unrestricted gifts, including multiple $20,000 awards and a $28,000 award.
Yes. Several organizations appear repeatedly across 2023, 2024, and 2025. Examples in the recent grants list include Gigi’s Playhouse - Chicago, Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Assn, Elmhurst University, Elmhurst Heritage Foundation, Ocean Reef Cultural Center, and Mclean Hospital.
The foundation gives nationally, but Illinois accounts for 32% of grants and Florida is the top state by grant count. Recent recipient cities include Chicago, Elmhurst, Key Largo, Durham, Belmont, and Williams Bay, and the recipient-country distribution is almost entirely US-based.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| 3 |
| $60K |
0.6% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE - CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $28,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ELMHURST HERITAGE FOUNDATION | ELMHURST, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| OCEAN REEF CULTURAL CENTER | KEY LARGO, FL | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ELMHURST UNIVERSITY | ELMHURST, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ELMHURST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ASSN | ELMHURST, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| WTS BOSTON CHARITABLE FUND INC | READING, MA | $18,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| GENEVA LAKE WATER SAFETY COMMITTEE | WILLIAMS BAY, WI | $17,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VENTURE UNKNOWN FOUNDATION | PENDLETON, SC | $16,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ELMHURST FAMILY YMCA | ELMHURST, IL | $15,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| KEYS CHILDREN FOUNDATION | KEY LARGO, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FRIENDS OF THE VIKING SHIP | ST CHARLES, IL | $13,250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HIMALAYAN CHILDREN'S FUND | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $13,250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FRIENDS OF PILGRIM SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FIGHT WITH ME | STANLEY, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| YELLOWSTONEYUKON CONSERVATION | CANMORE TW P, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LOYOLA CARDINAL BERNADINE CENTER | MAYWOOD, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AMERICAN THEATRE WING | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HARD EDGED HOPE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VOTERUNLEAD | HARTSDALE, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| COVE SCHOOL | NORTHBROOK, IL | $8,750 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| EVERY ORG | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $8,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LURIE CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $8,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| COLORADO OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL | HAYDEN, CO | $7,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NATL ALOPECIA AREATA FOUND | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $7,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| WBEZ-NPR | CHICAGO, IL | $7,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HCS FAMILY SERVICES | HINSDALE, IL | $6,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BROOKFIELD ZOO | BROOKFIELD, IL | $6,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| GREENE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | GREENSBORO, GA | $6,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LAKE GENEVA FRESH AIR ASSOCIATION | WILLIAMS BAY, WI | $6,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ORACLE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | CATALINA, AZ | $6,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| PISGAH AREA SORBA | SKYLAND, NC | $5,500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| VASSAR COLLEGE | POUGHKEEPSIE, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BRAIN & BEHAVIOR RESEARCH FDN | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| NEO PHILANTHROPY | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSP | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CHARLOTTE RESCUE MISSION | CHARLOTTE, NC | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| THILLEN EDUCATION FOUNDATION | GREENSBORO, GA | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR | ELMHURST, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SPECIAL CHILDREN'S CHARITIES | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| SAFE HAVEN FOR CATS | RALEIGH, NC | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| UNIVERSITY OF AZ FOUNDATION | TUCSON, AZ | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HOPEWELL HIGH SCHOOL | HUNTERSVILLE, NC | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| GENEVA LAKES FAMILY YMCA | LAKE GENEVA, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CASS COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICES | DETROIT, MI | $4,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| HOLY FAMILY MINISTRIES | NORTHBROOK, IL | $4,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FREEDOM HOUSE DETROIT | DETROIT, MI | $4,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MERCY WALWORTH MEDICAL CENTER | JANESVILLE, WI | $4,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
| U S FUND FOR UNICEF | NEW YORK, NY | $4,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED |
GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE - CHICAGO
$28,000UNRESTRICTED
ELMHURST HERITAGE FOUNDATION
$20,000UNRESTRICTED
ELMHURST MEMORIAL HOSPITAL ASSN
$20,000UNRESTRICTED
WTS BOSTON CHARITABLE FUND INC
$18,000UNRESTRICTED
GENEVA LAKE WATER SAFETY COMMITTEE
$17,000UNRESTRICTED
VENTURE UNKNOWN FOUNDATION
$16,500UNRESTRICTED
ELMHURST FAMILY YMCA
$15,500UNRESTRICTED
KEYS CHILDREN FOUNDATION
$15,000UNRESTRICTED
FRIENDS OF THE VIKING SHIP
$13,250UNRESTRICTED
HIMALAYAN CHILDREN'S FUND
$13,250UNRESTRICTED
FRIENDS OF PILGRIM SCHOOL
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
FIGHT WITH ME
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
YELLOWSTONEYUKON CONSERVATION
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
LOYOLA CARDINAL BERNADINE CENTER
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
HARD EDGED HOPE FOUNDATION
$10,000UNRESTRICTED
EVERY ORG
$8,000UNRESTRICTED
LURIE CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$8,000UNRESTRICTED
COLORADO OUTWARD BOUND SCHOOL
$7,000UNRESTRICTED
WBEZ-NPR
$7,000UNRESTRICTED
GREENE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$6,000UNRESTRICTED
ORACLE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
$6,000UNRESTRICTED
PISGAH AREA SORBA
$5,500UNRESTRICTED
BRAIN & BEHAVIOR RESEARCH FDN
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
THILLEN EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOR
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
UNIVERSITY OF AZ FOUNDATION
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
HOPEWELL HIGH SCHOOL
$5,000UNRESTRICTED
GENEVA LAKES FAMILY YMCA
$4,000UNRESTRICTED
FREEDOM HOUSE DETROIT
$4,000UNRESTRICTED
MERCY WALWORTH MEDICAL CENTER
$4,000UNRESTRICTED