The David C. and Ellen R. Petrick Foundation concentrates its philanthropy on higher education scholarships, directing all recorded giving to Illinois Wesleyan University to support student aid. Its grants are explicitly scholarship-focused, indicating a priority on expanding access to college through financial support rather than programmatic or capital funding. The foundation makes sizable, targeted awards to a single postsecondary institution rather than distributing funds across many organizations.
The David C and Ellen R Petrick Foundation is unusually concentrated: its recorded giving is anchored in scholarships for Illinois Wesleyan University, with the two largest recent grants totaling $1,050,000 across 2024 and 2023. That pattern points to a funder that uses large, repeated awards for student aid rather than spreading support broadly across many institutions. Alongside those major scholarship grants, the foundation also backs a small set of Michigan-based community, arts, health, and conservation organizations, including Friends of the Garden Theater in Frankfort and Benzie Area Christian Neighbors in Benzonia. It also appears in higher education support beyond one campus, with a smaller scholarship grant to Northwestern University and a scholarship award to Interlochen Center for the Arts. The grant list shows a mix of very targeted institutional support and smaller community grants, which makes the foundation useful to researchers tracking scholarship-heavy philanthropy with selective local giving around northwest Michigan and a handful of Illinois recipients.
Scholarships are the foundation’s clearest priority. It gave $550,000 in 2024 and $500,000 in 2023 to Illinois Wesleyan University, both for scholarships, and also made a $5,000 scholarship grant to Northwestern University in 2023. Beyond higher education, the foundation supports local quality-of-life and arts work in Michigan. It gave $25,000 in both 2023 and 2024 to Friends of the Garden Theater in Frankfort to support the arts, and $25,000 in 2023 plus $22,500 in 2024 to Benzie Area Christian Neighbors for enhancement of quality of life. Its portfolio also includes environmental and conservation grants, such as $25,000 to Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and $2,250 to Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation for sea turtle research. Health and human services appear in smaller awards, including support for patient care, healthcare, and wellness programming.
The listed grants cluster tightly around small awards, with typical size at $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $2,000 at the median, and $3,000 at the 75th percentile. That said, the distribution includes a few very large, repeated scholarship grants that dominate annual totals. The pattern suggests a family foundation making targeted discretionary gifts rather than open grant competition. Recipients do repeat across years: Illinois Wesleyan University, Friends of the Garden Theater, Benzie Area Christian Neighbors, Save-a-pet, and Crystal Lake & Watershed Association all appear in multiple years. Grants are recorded only in the US, and the foundation does not fund individuals or program-related investments.
$2.5M
$6.4M
$971K
$2.6M
Most grants fall between $1K and $3K, with a median of $2K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$2K
75th Percentile
$3K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for David C and Ellen R Petrick Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 77 | $6.4M | 98.7% |
| 2 | United Kingdom |
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Highly concentrated: all recorded giving is to one institution (repeat grantee) in the form of relatively large scholarship grants rather than many small or diversified awards.
Notable grantees: Illinois Wesleyan University
Grants are mostly domestic and concentrated in Michigan and Illinois, with Michigan recipient locations appearing frequently in Frankfort, Benzonia, Traverse City, Beulah, Interlochen, and Howell. Illinois recipients include Bloomington, Evanston, Mateno, Grayslake, and Chicago. The grant list also reaches Sanibel Island, Florida; Kanab, Utah; and San Francisco, California. By count, half of the recorded grants go to recipients in Michigan, reflecting a strong in-state pattern without being limited to the foundation’s headquarters in Frankfort.
The foundation supports higher education scholarships, local arts, conservation, healthcare, animal rescue, and community service groups. The largest recorded awards are scholarship grants, but the list also includes support for public library programs, patient care, teacher education, sea turtle research, and wellness opportunities in Benzie County.
Typical grants are small: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $2,000, and the 75th percentile is $3,000. The grant list also includes a few much larger scholarship awards, including $550,000 and $500,000 to Illinois Wesleyan University.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Illinois Wesleyan University, Friends of the Garden Theater, Benzie Area Christian Neighbors, Save-a-pet, Crystal Lake & Watershed Association, and Illinois Wesleyan University. The repeated awards suggest ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts only.
Michigan is the top state by grant count, with 50% of recorded grants going to recipients in the state. Frequent Michigan recipient cities include Frankfort, Benzonia, Traverse City, Beulah, Interlochen, and Howell.
No. Scholarships are the main visible priority, but the record also includes grants for the arts, conservation, animal rescue, healthcare, teacher education, public libraries, church programs, and support for people in need.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| 1 |
| $130 |
1.3% |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $2,500,000 | 2026 | PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| HALO HAVANESE RESCUE | HUNTLEY, IL | $13,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT TO PROTECT NATURAL LANDS. |
| GRAND TRAVERSE REGIONAL LAND CONSERVANCY | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $2,500 | 2026 | SUPPORT TO PROTECT NATURAL LANDS. |
| SAVE-A-PET | GRAYSLAKE, IL | $1,000 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMAL RESCUE. |
| CRYSTAL LAKE & WATERSHED ASSOCIATION | BEULAH, MI | $500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION. |
| BENZIE WELLNESS & AQUATIC CENTER | FRANKFORT, MI | $500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES IN BENZIE COMMUNITY. |
| CSA EDUCATION FUND | HOWELL, MI | $500 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR TEACHER EDUCATION. |
| SAN FRANCISCO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT HEALTH CARE FOR LGBTQ COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE OF COLOR. |
| BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY | KANAB, UT | $450 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMAL RESCUE. |
| BENZIE AREA CHRISTIAN NEIGHBORS | BENZONIA, MI | $300 | 2026 | SUPPORTING ENHANCEMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE. |
| THE WORLD STAGE | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT THE ARTS. |
| MUNSON HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $250 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT HEALTHCARE. |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB CENTER VIRGINIA | NEW PORT NEWS, VA | $200 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE BY PROVIDING SKILLS AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL. |
| CSA PILGRIM FUND | FRANKFORT, MI | $200 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT CHURCH PROGRAMS. |
| WOODGREEN PETS CHARITY | GODMANCHESTER CAMBRIDGESH | $130 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ANIMALS IN NEED OF SHELTER AND CARE. |
| WCMU PUBLIC MEDIA | MT PLEASANT, MI | $120 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION. |
| WTTW CHANNEL 11 | CHICAGO, IL | $100 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION. |
| ST JUDES CHILDREN RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $100 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH. |
| IL PERUVIAN MEDICAL SOCIETY | WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI | $100 | 2026 | PROVIDE HEALTH RESOURCES. |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS | NEW YORK, NY | $100 | 2026 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMAL RESCUE. |
| ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $2,500,000 | 2025 | PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| FRIENDS OF THE GARDEN THEATER | FRANKFORT, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE ARTS. |
| HALO HAVANESE RESCUE | HUNTLEY, IL | $8,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TO PROTECT NATURAL LANDS. |
| GRAND TRAVERSE REGIONAL LAND CONSERVANCY | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $1,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT TO PROTECT NATURAL LANDS. |
| BENZIE WELLNESS & AQUATIC CENTER | FRANKFORT, MI | $1,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES IN BENZIE COMMUNITY. |
| LAKESIDE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE | CHICAGO, IL | $500 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS. |
| CSA EDUCATION FUND | HOWELL, MI | $250 | 2025 | SUPPORT FOR TEACHER EDUCATION. |
| THE VINE UGANDA | KATY, TX | $250 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING EMPOWERMENT, EDUCATION, LIFE SKILLS, MEDICAL TREATMENT, AND SPIRITUAL DISCIPLESHIP. |
| ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $550,000 | 2024 | PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| HALO HAVANESE RESCUE | MATENO, IL | $45,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT TO PROTECT NATURAL LANDS. |
| FRIENDS OF THE GARDEN THEATER | FRANKFORT, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT THE ARTS. |
| BENZIE AREA CHRISTIAN NEIGHBORS | BENZONIA, MI | $22,500 | 2024 | SUPPORTING ENHANCEMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE. |
| SAVE-A-PET | GRAYSLAKE, IL | $3,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMAL RESCUE. |
| SAN FRANCISCO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $2,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT HEALTH CARE FOR LGBTQ COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE OF COLOR. |
| CSA PILGRIM FUND | FRANKFORT, MI | $1,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT CHURCH PROGRAMS. |
| CSA EDUCATION FUND | HOWELL, MI | $1,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT FOR TEACHER EDUCATION. |
| FRIENDS OF POINT BETSIE LIGHTHOUSE INC | FRANKFORT, MI | $1,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT LIGHTHOUSE RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE. |
| CRYSTAL LAKE & WATERSHED ASSOCIATION | BEULAH, MI | $1,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION. |
| GROW BENZIE INC | BEULAH, MI | $1,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT NONPROFIT FARMSTEAD. |
| OLIVER ART CENTER | FRANKFORT, MI | $1,000 | 2024 | SUPPORTING EDUCATION AND THE ARTS. |
| WCMU PUBLIC MEDIA | MT PLEASANT, MI | $100 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION. |
| ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $500,000 | 2023 | PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| HALO HAVANESE RESCUE | MATENO, IL | $41,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT TO PROTECT NATURAL LANDS. |
| BENZIE AREA CHRISTIAN NEIGHBORS | BENZONIA, MI | $25,000 | 2023 | SUPPORTING ENHANCEMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE. |
| GRAND TRAVERSE REGIONAL LAND CONSERVANCY | TRAVERSE CITY, MI | $25,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT TO PROTECT NATURAL LANDS. |
| FRIENDS OF THE GARDEN THEATER | FRANKFORT, MI | $25,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT THE ARTS. |
| BEST FRIENDS ANIMAL SANCTUARY | KANAB, UT | $5,250 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR ANIMAL RESCUE. |
| PAUL OLIVER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | FRANKFORT, MI | $5,000 | 2023 | TO SUPPORT PATIENT CARE. |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $5,000 | 2023 | PROVIDE FUNDING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS. |
| CROW | SANIBEL ISLAND, FL | $3,000 | 2023 | SUPPORT FOR REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE. |
HALO HAVANESE RESCUE
$13,000SUPPORT TO PROTECT NATURAL LANDS.
SUPPORT TO PROTECT NATURAL LANDS.
CRYSTAL LAKE & WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
$500TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION.
BENZIE WELLNESS & AQUATIC CENTER
TO SUPPORT WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES IN BENZIE COMMUNITY.
CSA EDUCATION FUND
$500SUPPORT FOR TEACHER EDUCATION.
SAN FRANCISCO COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER
$500TO SUPPORT HEALTH CARE FOR LGBTQ COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.
THE WORLD STAGE
$250TO SUPPORT THE ARTS.
MUNSON HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
$250TO SUPPORT HEALTHCARE.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB CENTER VIRGINIA
$200TO SUPPORT YOUNG PEOPLE BY PROVIDING SKILLS AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO REACH THEIR POTENTIAL.
CSA PILGRIM FUND
$200TO SUPPORT CHURCH PROGRAMS.
WOODGREEN PETS CHARITY
$130TO SUPPORT ANIMALS IN NEED OF SHELTER AND CARE.
WCMU PUBLIC MEDIA
$120TO SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION.
WTTW CHANNEL 11
$100TO SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION.
IL PERUVIAN MEDICAL SOCIETY
$100PROVIDE HEALTH RESOURCES.
HALO HAVANESE RESCUE
$8,000SUPPORT TO PROTECT NATURAL LANDS.
SUPPORT TO PROTECT NATURAL LANDS.
BENZIE WELLNESS & AQUATIC CENTER
$1,000TO SUPPORT WELLNESS OPPORTUNITIES IN BENZIE COMMUNITY.
LAKESIDE SHAKESPEARE THEATRE
$500SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS.
CSA EDUCATION FUND
$250SUPPORT FOR TEACHER EDUCATION.
THE VINE UGANDA
$250TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY BY PROVIDING EMPOWERMENT, EDUCATION, LIFE SKILLS, MEDICAL TREATMENT, AND SPIRITUAL DISCIPLESHIP.
HALO HAVANESE RESCUE
$45,000SUPPORT TO PROTECT NATURAL LANDS.
SAVE-A-PET
$3,000SUPPORT FOR ANIMAL RESCUE.
TO SUPPORT HEALTH CARE FOR LGBTQ COMMUNITIES AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.
CSA PILGRIM FUND
$1,000TO SUPPORT CHURCH PROGRAMS.
CSA EDUCATION FUND
$1,000SUPPORT FOR TEACHER EDUCATION.
FRIENDS OF POINT BETSIE LIGHTHOUSE INC
$1,000TO SUPPORT LIGHTHOUSE RESTORATION AND MAINTENANCE.
CRYSTAL LAKE & WATERSHED ASSOCIATION
$1,000TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION.
GROW BENZIE INC
$1,000TO SUPPORT NONPROFIT FARMSTEAD.
OLIVER ART CENTER
$1,000SUPPORTING EDUCATION AND THE ARTS.
WCMU PUBLIC MEDIA
$100TO SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION.
HALO HAVANESE RESCUE
$41,000SUPPORT TO PROTECT NATURAL LANDS.
SUPPORT TO PROTECT NATURAL LANDS.
CROW
$3,000SUPPORT FOR REHABILITATION OF WILDLIFE.