The Dillon Foundation concentrates its giving very locally in Sterling, IL, funding civic infrastructure, recreation, cultural institutions, and K–12 education that support community revitalization. Grants are sizable and targeted to a small set of place-based organizations involved in riverfront/downtown development, park and museum programming, and the local school district. The foundation appears focused on capital and program support that improves quality of life and local economic vitality in Sterling.
Dillon Foundation’s recent grantmaking is defined by very large, place-based awards to a small circle of Sterling organizations. The single largest grant in the file is $822,500 to Sterling Riverfront Foundation in 2025 to support community improvement and development, followed by $482,500 to Greater Sterling Development Corp in 2023 for community improvement. Those awards sit alongside repeated support for Sterling Park District, Sterling Park District - Museum Association, Community Unit School District 5, and the local human services network. The foundation gives at a scale far above its typical check size, with several six-figure grants appearing year after year. Its portfolio ties together downtown and riverfront redevelopment, parks, museums, schools, and family services, which points to a coordinated approach to local revitalization rather than dispersed grantmaking. In education, Community Unit School District 5 received multiple grants across 2023, 2024, and 2025. In cultural work, Sterling Park District - Museum Association and Woodlawn Arts Academy both recur as funded organizations. The pattern is concentrated, local, and sustained across several years.
Community improvement is a core thread in the foundation’s giving. Sterling Park District received $343,034 in 2025 and $312,000 in 2024 for community improvement, while Sterling Rock Falls Community Trust received $77,000 in 2025 for the same broad purpose. Education is another steady area. Community Unit School District 5 received $289,641 in 2024 and $145,633 in 2025 in support of education and instruction, and Sterling Schools Foundation received $131,835 in 2024 and $108,805 in 2025 for education support. Arts and culture also appear prominently. Sterling Park District - Museum Association received $443,500 in 2024 and $194,500 in 2025 to support arts, culture, and humanities, while Woodlawn Arts Academy received $253,500 in 2024 and $208,876 in 2025 for the same purpose. Human services are part of the mix as well, including $189,750 in 2025 to United Way of Whiteside County for human service activities.
Typical grants are modest relative to the foundation’s larger awards: the p25 is $2,500, the median is $5,000, and the p75 is $9,000. That suggests a long tail of smaller grants alongside a small number of very large, place-based commitments. The recent record also shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, including several recurring awards to schools, parks, and community development groups. The foundation makes grants, funds individuals, and does not make program-related investments. The recent grants list does not show an application process, so the giving pattern appears to be relationship-driven and discretionary.
$3.6M
$79.3M
$6.5M
$4.3M
Most grants fall between $3K and $9K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$9K
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Concentrated, high-dollar local philanthropy: few but large grants directed to a small group of repeat, place-based grantees. Emphasis on capital/community improvement and program support rather than broad, dispersed national giving.
Notable grantees: Sterling Riverfront Foundation, Sterling Park District, Community Unit School District 5, Greater Sterling Development Corp, Sterling Park District - Museum Association
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with all 425 grants going to U.S. recipients. By count, Illinois is the main recipient state, with 66% of grants landing there, while North Carolina is the top state by grant count overall. Recent grants cluster in a few Illinois places: Sterling appears repeatedly, and Dixon shows up through Sauk Valley Community College Foundation. The listed recipients suggest a strong local network centered on Sterling and nearby communities rather than broad national dispersion.
The recent grants point to community improvement, education, arts and culture, and human services. Sterling Riverfront Foundation received $822,500 for community improvement and development, Community Unit School District 5 received multiple education grants, and Sterling Park District - Museum Association and Woodlawn Arts Academy received arts and humanities support.
The foundation’s typical grant size is small relative to its largest awards: p25 is $2,500, median is $5,000, and p75 is $9,000. At the same time, the recent file includes several six-figure grants, showing a wide spread between routine support and major commitments.
Very concentrated. Illinois recipients account for 66% of grants, and the top state by grant count is North Carolina. The recent grants list itself is heavily centered on Sterling, Illinois, with additional Illinois grants in Dixon.
Yes. The foundation funds individuals, in addition to organizations. The grant file provided here does not include individual recipient names, but it does confirm that individuals are part of the foundation’s funding activity.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Community Unit School District 5, Sterling Park District, Sterling Park District - Museum Association, Woodlawn Arts Academy, United Way of Whiteside County, and Sauk Valley Community College Foundation. That pattern suggests ongoing, multi-year support rather than one-off grants.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STERLING PARK DISTRICT | STERLING, IL | $867,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT |
| STERLING RIVERFRONT FOUNDATION | STERLING, IL | $382,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT/DEV |
| WOODLAWN ARTS ACADEMY | STERLING, IL | $230,347 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| STERLING PARK DISTRICT - MUSEUM ASSOCIATION | STERLING, IL | $196,472 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| UNITED WAY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY | STERLING, IL | $192,750 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT HUMAN SERVICE ACTIVITIES |
| COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT 5 | STERLING, IL | $159,259 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION |
| STERLING PUBLIC LIBRARY | STERLING, IL | $153,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| GREATER STERLING DEVELOPMENT CORP | STERLING, IL | $144,566 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT |
| WHITESIDE AREA CAREER CENTER | STERLING, IL | $84,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION |
| SAUK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | DIXON, IL | $78,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION |
| ROCK RIVER HOSPICE AND HOME | STERLING, IL | $68,850 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF HUMAN SERVICE |
| CITY OF STERLING | STERLING, IL | $57,958 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT |
| STERLING ROCK FALLS FAMILY YMCA | STERLING, IL | $55,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF HUMAN SERVICE |
| STERLING SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | STERLING, IL | $49,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | STERLING, IL | $36,750 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF RELIGION/SPIRITUAL DEV |
| GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH | STERLING, IL | $36,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT RELIGION/SPIRITUAL DEVELO |
| TIMBER LAKE PLAYHOUSE | MOUNT CARROLL, IL | $31,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| WHITESIDE COUNTY SENIOR CENTER | STERLING, IL | $29,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT HUMAN SERVICE ACTIVITES |
| ST MARY'S SCHOOL SAINTS CLUB | RALEIGH, NC | $25,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION |
| ROCK RIVER STONE REAL ESTATE LLC | ROCK FALLS, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT |
| STERLING ROCK FALLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY | STERLING, IL | $22,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| CGH HEALTH FOUNDATION | STERLING, IL | $22,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT HEALTH/GENERAL AND RELATE |
| YWCA OF THE SAUK VALLEY | STERLING, IL | $22,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT HUMAN SERVICE ACTIVITIES |
| ST MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH | GENEVA, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT RELIGION/SPIRITUAL DEVELO |
| MAYO FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL EDUCATI AND RESEARCH | ROCHESTER, MN | $18,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT HEALTH/GENERAL |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | STERLING, IL | $16,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT HUMAN SERVICE ACTIVITIES |
| SAUK VALLEY FOODBANK | STERLING, IL | $16,250 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT FOOD, NUTRITION, AND AG |
| ROCK FALLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | ROCK FALLS, IL | $15,488 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION |
| ROCK RIVER VALLEY SELF HELP ENTERPRISES | STERLING, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION |
| THE MUSEUM OF FLIGHT | SEATTLE, WA | $14,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| THE ASSOCIATED COLLEGES OF ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $12,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION |
| CORNERSTONE SPECIAL CARE | STERLING, IL | $12,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT HEALTH/GENERAL |
| BEREA COLLEGE | BEREA, KY | $10,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION |
| TRI-COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES COUNCIL | ROCK FALLS, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT HOUSING & SHELTER |
| COLOMA TOWNSHIP PARK DISTRICT | ROCK FALLS, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT RECREATION, LEISURE, SPOR |
| LIVING WELL CANCER RESOURCE CENTER | GENEVA, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF HEALTH/GENERAL RELATED |
| TWIN CITY PUBLIC ACTION TO DELIVER SHELTER INC | STERLING, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY/EMERGENCY |
| ROCK FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY | ROCK FALLS, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS FOR CHILDREN | STERLING, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT HUMAN SERVICE ACTIVITIES |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS | STERLING, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS | FREEPORT, IL | $9,500 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA) FOUNDATIO | JEFFERSONVILLE, IN | $9,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT RELIGION/SPIRITUAL DEVELO |
| ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITA | MEMPHIS, TN | $9,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT HEALTH/GENERAL AND RELATE |
| FRANKLIN CREEK CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION | FRANKLIN GROVE, IL | $9,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY |
| THE CULVER EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION | CULVER, IN | $8,750 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION |
| UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE | DUBUQUE, IA | $8,750 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION |
| ROCK FALLS TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 301 | ROCK FALLS, IL | $8,712 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION |
| BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA BLACKHAWK AREA COUNCIL | ROCKFORD, IL | $8,500 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| BI-COUNTY COOPERATIVE FOUNDATION | STERLING, IL | $8,500 | 2026 | IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION |
| UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO FOUNDATION INC | DENVER, CO | $8,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION |
STERLING PARK DISTRICT
$867,500TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
STERLING RIVERFRONT FOUNDATION
$382,500TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT/DEV
WOODLAWN ARTS ACADEMY
$230,347TO SUPPORT ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
STERLING PARK DISTRICT - MUSEUM ASSOCIATION
$196,472TO SUPPORT ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
UNITED WAY OF WHITESIDE COUNTY
$192,750TO SUPPORT HUMAN SERVICE ACTIVITIES
COMMUNITY UNIT SCHOOL DISTRICT 5
$159,259IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION
STERLING PUBLIC LIBRARY
$153,000TO SUPPORT ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
GREATER STERLING DEVELOPMENT CORP
$144,566TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
WHITESIDE AREA CAREER CENTER
$84,000TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION
SAUK VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
$78,000TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION
ROCK RIVER HOSPICE AND HOME
$68,850IN SUPPORT OF HUMAN SERVICE
CITY OF STERLING
$57,958TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
STERLING ROCK FALLS FAMILY YMCA
$55,000IN SUPPORT OF HUMAN SERVICE
STERLING SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
$49,000TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$36,750IN SUPPORT OF RELIGION/SPIRITUAL DEV
GRACE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$36,000TO SUPPORT RELIGION/SPIRITUAL DEVELO
TIMBER LAKE PLAYHOUSE
$31,000TO SUPPORT ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
WHITESIDE COUNTY SENIOR CENTER
$29,500TO SUPPORT HUMAN SERVICE ACTIVITES
ST MARY'S SCHOOL SAINTS CLUB
$25,000IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION
ROCK RIVER STONE REAL ESTATE LLC
$25,000TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT
STERLING ROCK FALLS HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$22,000TO SUPPORT ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
CGH HEALTH FOUNDATION
$22,000TO SUPPORT HEALTH/GENERAL AND RELATE
ST MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
$20,000TO SUPPORT RELIGION/SPIRITUAL DEVELO
MAYO FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL EDUCATI AND RESEARCH
$18,500TO SUPPORT HEALTH/GENERAL
THE SALVATION ARMY
$16,500TO SUPPORT HUMAN SERVICE ACTIVITIES
SAUK VALLEY FOODBANK
$16,250TO SUPPORT FOOD, NUTRITION, AND AG
ROCK FALLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
$15,488IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION
ROCK RIVER VALLEY SELF HELP ENTERPRISES
$15,000TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION
CORNERSTONE SPECIAL CARE
$12,000TO SUPPORT HEALTH/GENERAL
TRI-COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES COUNCIL
$10,000TO SUPPORT HOUSING & SHELTER
COLOMA TOWNSHIP PARK DISTRICT
$10,000TO SUPPORT RECREATION, LEISURE, SPOR
LIVING WELL CANCER RESOURCE CENTER
$10,000IN SUPPORT OF HEALTH/GENERAL RELATED
TWIN CITY PUBLIC ACTION TO DELIVER SHELTER INC
$10,000TO SUPPORT PUBLIC SAFETY/EMERGENCY
ROCK FALLS PUBLIC LIBRARY
$10,000TO SUPPORT ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS FOR CHILDREN
$10,000TO SUPPORT HUMAN SERVICE ACTIVITIES
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS
$10,000TO SUPPORT ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
GIRL SCOUTS OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS
$9,500IN SUPPORT OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA) FOUNDATIO
$9,000TO SUPPORT RELIGION/SPIRITUAL DEVELO
FRANKLIN CREEK CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION
$9,000TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
UNIVERSITY OF DUBUQUE
$8,750TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION
ROCK FALLS TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 301
$8,712TO SUPPORT EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION
BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA BLACKHAWK AREA COUNCIL
$8,500IN SUPPORT OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
BI-COUNTY COOPERATIVE FOUNDATION
$8,500IN SUPPORT OF EDUCATION/INSTRUCTION