The Oberhelman Family Foundation concentrates its giving on a small number of large grants that support regional community infrastructure in central Illinois plus select national health and conservation partners. Major gifts fund habitat conservation, local United Way community services, Millikin University, early-intervention services for children with developmental delays, and occasional investments in medical research/care. The foundation favors established organizations and repeat grantees, with an emphasis on measurable program impact in the donor’s home region.
A $705,000 gift to Ducks Unlimited sets the tone for the Doug and Diane Oberhelman Family Foundation: large, targeted grants that support habitat conservation alongside core community needs in central Illinois. The foundation also made repeated six-figure commitments to Heart of Illinois United Way for county-level community services, and to Millikin University for its integrated liberal and practical arts mission. Those gifts sit alongside support for early-intervention services, health care partnerships, and public-facing cultural or educational programs. The foundation gives at a scale well above its smaller awards. It funds both regional institutions in Illinois and select partners outside the state, including conservation and medical organizations. Its recent record shows continuity: some organizations receive support in consecutive years, while others appear as one-time, project-specific awards. The pattern suggests a funder that favors established recipients and clear program purposes over broad, open-ended grantmaking. The named grants also show a mix of themes: conservation, community safety-net services, higher education, child development, health, and public programming. In several cases, the stated purpose is operational or program support rather than a narrowly defined project, and the foundation’s giving frequently aligns with organizations that serve families, children, and regional civic needs.
In habitat conservation, the foundation gave $705,000 to Ducks Unlimited for habitat conservation and restoration, plus $22,250 in 2024 for the same purpose. Water and watershed work also appears through $25,000 grants to America’s Watershed Initiative in 2024 and 2025 for solutions to challenges facing the Mississippi River and the rivers that flow from it. Early learning and child development are another thread. Start Early received $25,000 in 2025 and $24,500 in 2024 to advance early learning for families with young children to close the opportunity gap. Easterseals of Central Illinois received $167,500 in 2025 and $110,200 in 2024 to help children with developmental delays reach their full potential. The foundation also supports youth and family-serving programs. Allendale Association received grants for care, treatment, education, advocacy, and its STAR program for shelter and transitional adolescent resources. Camp One Step was funded twice for educational and fun experiences for children diagnosed with cancer.
$1.6M
$4.7M
$1.3M
$1.8M
Most grants fall between $3K and $22K, with a median of $7K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$7K
75th Percentile
$22K
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Concentrated, high-dollar giving to a small set of organizations—mix of repeat regional grantees and a few national partners; majority of funds flow to program support and capacity for established nonprofits rather than many small grants.
Notable grantees: Ducks Unlimited, Heart of Illinois United Way, Millikin University, Easterseals of Central Illinois, Mayo Clinic
Typical grants cluster around smaller awards, with a p25 of $2,500, a median of $7,250, and a p75 of $22,250. That distribution sits alongside a few very large commitments, including six-figure and one major seven-figure-style awards in the recent record. The pattern is not purely one-off: several organizations appear across multiple years, including Heart of Illinois United Way, Easterseals of Central Illinois, Millikin University, Ducks Unlimited, Start Early, America’s Watershed Initiative, Allendale Association, and Camp One Step. The foundation is a family foundation, and it also funds individuals. Recent grants include operating, general, matching, and project-specific support.
Most grants land in Illinois, with 76% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. The top giving state by count is Wisconsin, though the recent grants shown here are concentrated in Illinois cities such as Peoria, Decatur, Urbana, Chicago, Lake Villa, and Lake Bluff. Outside Illinois, the foundation also gave to recipients in Memphis, Rochester, Saint Louis, and Northbrook, all in the United States. All recent grants listed are domestic.
Recent grants show support for habitat conservation, community safety-net services, higher education, early childhood developmental services, health care, public programming, and youth-serving organizations. Examples include $705,000 for habitat conservation and restoration, $201,000 for county community needs, and repeated support for child development and early learning programs.
Yes. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including Heart of Illinois United Way, Easterseals of Central Illinois, Millikin University, Ducks Unlimited, Start Early, America’s Watershed Initiative, Allendale Association, and Camp One Step. Some of these also received different amounts and purposes across years.
The recent grant distribution centers on smaller awards: the p25 is $2,500, the median is $7,250, and the p75 is $22,250. At the same time, the foundation occasionally makes much larger commitments, including $705,000 to Ducks Unlimited and $201,000 to Heart of Illinois United Way.
Its grants are predominantly in Illinois, with 76% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. The most frequent recipient state by count is Wisconsin, and the recent list also includes Illinois cities such as Peoria, Decatur, Urbana, Chicago, Lake Villa, and Lake Bluff.
The foundation gives as a family foundation and funds individuals. The recent record includes operating, general, matching, and project-specific grants, showing a mix of unrestricted and purpose-driven support.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DUCKS UNLIMITED | MEMPHIS, TN | $705,000 | 2025 | HABITAT CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION |
| HEART OF ILLINOIS UNITED WAY | PEORIA, IL | $201,000 | 2025 | MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS IN MARSHALL, PEORIA, PUTNAM, STARK, TAZEWELL & WOODFORD COUNTIES IN ILLINOIS |
| EASTERSEALS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS | PEORIA, IL | $167,500 | 2025 | PROVIDES SERVICES TO ENSURE CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS CAN REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL |
| MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY | DECATUR, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | OFFER AN EDUCATION THAT INTEGRATES THE LIBERAL AND PRACTICAL ARTS OF THE PROFESSIONS |
| OAK RIDGE OUTDOOR FOUNDATION | TREMONT, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | MATCHING GRANT FOR SPORTING CLAYS COURSE AUTOMATION |
| PEORIA RIVERFRONT MUSEUM | PEORIA, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | CONNECTING ART, HISTORY, SCIENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMS |
| CARLE HEALTH CENTER FOR PHILANTHROPY | URBANA, IL | $27,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CARLE DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION | URBANA, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICA'S WATERSHED INITIATIVE | ST LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2025 | FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR CHALLENGES TOWARDS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND RIVERS THAT FLOW FROM IT |
| START EARLY | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | TO ADVANCE EARLY LEARNING FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN TO CLOSE THE OPPORTUNITY GAP |
| MAX MCGRAW WILDLIFE FOUNDATION | DUNDEE, IL | $17,600 | 2025 | WILDLIFE EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION |
| OSF HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION | PEORIA, IL | $16,000 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP |
| ALLENDALE ASSOCIATION | LAKE VILLA, IL | $15,598 | 2025 | ALLENDALE YOUTH BOARD MATCHING DONATION |
| READING POWER | LAKE BLUFF, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | TO ACCELERATE CHILDREN'S LITERACY AND TO DEVELOP A LOVE FOR READING AND WRITING |
| ALLENDALE ASSOCIATION | LAKE VILLA, IL | $12,500 | 2025 | STAR PROGRAM-SHELTER & TRANSITIONAL ADOLESCENT RESOURCES |
| CAMP ONE STEP | CHICAGO, IL | $12,500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL AND FUN EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER |
| GREEN LAKE ASSOCIATION | GREEN LAKE, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | TO IMPROVE GREEN LAKE'S WATER QUALITY THROUGH SCIENCE-BASED ACTION AND DIVERSE PARTNERSHIPS |
| HAROLD E EISENBERG FOUNDATION | NORTHBROOK, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER RESEARCH |
| ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE SCHOOL | PEORIA HEIGHTS, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING FUND |
| EPC OF PEORIA | PEORIA, IL | $7,500 | 2025 | TO PROVIDE LIFELONG SERVICES TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES |
| RICHWOODS HIGH SCHOOL | PEORIA, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | MODEL UN ACTIVITY ACCOUNT |
| JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS | EAST PEORIA, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE THE SUCCESS OF YOUNG PEOPLE |
| SUSAN G KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION | DALLAS, TX | $5,000 | 2025 | TO SAVE LIVES BY MEETING THE MOST CRITICAL NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY AND INVESTING IN RESEARCH |
| MARK LINDER WALK FOR THE MIND | PEORIA, IL | $2,700 | 2025 | BRAIN TUMOR AWARENESS AND RESEARCH |
| SUN FOUNDATION | WASHBURN, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF ARTS AND SCIENCES IN RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES |
| ILLINOIS CANCERCARE FOUNDATION | PEORIA, IL | $2,250 | 2025 | MAKING AN IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF CANCER PATIENTS WHILE PAVING THE WAY TO A CURE |
| AFRICAN AMERICAN HALL OF FAME MUSEUM | PEORIA, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND ADVANCEMENT |
| SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY UNITED FOR CHANGE | PEORIA, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | TO ENHANCE LIVABILITY IN THE SOUTHSIDE AREA BY DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS |
| SING-SHIFTING INTO NEW GEAR | SPRINGFIELD, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | HOLIDAY BASKET PROGRAM |
| ELMWOOD YATES CITY & FARMINGTON FIREWORKS | ELMWOOD, IL | $500 | 2025 | COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS |
| PHEASANTS FOREVER | ST PAUL, MN | $300 | 2025 | TO CONSERVE PHEASANTS, QUAIL, AND OTHER WILDLIFE THROUGH HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS AND EDUCATION |
| THE PEORIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY | PEORIA, IL | $250 | 2025 | 2024 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP |
| THRASHER OPERA HOUSE | GREEN LAKE, WI | $250 | 2025 | TO PROMOTE THE ARTS AND THE POWER OF LIVE PERFORMANCE AND TO PRESERVE THE HISTORIC THRASHER OPERA HOUSE |
| BREAKTHROUGH T1D | HAGERSTOWN, MD | $250 | 2025 | SPONSORSHIP |
| HEART OF ILLINOIS UNITED WAY | PEORIA, IL | $201,000 | 2024 | MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS IN MARSHALL, PEORIA, PUTNAM, STARK, TAZEWELL & WOODFORD COUNTIES IN IL |
| MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY | DECATUR, IL | $150,000 | 2024 | OFFER AN EDUCATION THAT INTEGRATES THE LIBERAL AND PRACTICAL ARTS OF THE PROFESSIONS |
| EASTERSEALS OF CENTRAL IL | PEORIA, IL | $110,200 | 2024 | PROVIDES SERVICES TO ENSURE CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS CAN REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $100,000 | 2024 | PATIENT CARE, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION |
| PEORIA RIVERFRONT MUSEUM | PEORIA, IL | $74,800 | 2024 | CONNECTING ART, HISTORY, SCIENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMS |
| CARLE HEALTH CARE INCORPORATED | URBANA, IL | $44,000 | 2024 | TO OPERATE FACILITIES AND DIVISIONS THAT PROVIDE HEALTH CARE AND RELATED SERVICES |
| AMERICA'S WATERSHED INITIATIVE | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $25,000 | 2024 | FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR CHALLENGES TOWARDS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND RIVERS THAT FLOW FROM IT |
| START EARLY | CHICAGO, IL | $24,500 | 2024 | TO ADVANCE EARLY LEARNING FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN TO CLOSE THE OPPORTUNITY GAP |
| ALLENDALE ASSOCIATION | LAKE VILLA, IL | $22,500 | 2024 | CARE, TREATMENT, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY FOR YOUTH WITH BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES |
| DUCKS UNLIMITED | MEMPHIS, TN | $22,250 | 2024 | HABITAT CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION |
| READING POWER | LAKE BLUFF, IL | $15,000 | 2024 | TO ACCELERATE CHILDREN'S LITERACY AND TO DEVELOP A LOVE FOR READING AND WRITING |
| CAMP ONE STEP | CHICAGO, IL | $12,500 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL AND FUN EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER |
| EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION | GLENVIEW, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES |
| DREAM CENTER PEORIA | PEORIA, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | TO ASSIST LOW INCOME AND UNEMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES |
| PEORIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION | PEORIA, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | TO SUPPORT PEORIA SCHOOLS BY PROVIDING GRANTS AND FUNDS FOR RESEARCH AND QUALITY EDUCATION |
| GREEN LAKE ASSOCIATION | GREEN LAKE, WI | $9,600 | 2024 | TO IMPROVE GREEN LAKE'S WATER QUALITY THROUGH SCIENCE-BASED ACTION AND DIVERSE PARTNERSHIPS |
DUCKS UNLIMITED
$705,000HABITAT CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION
MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS IN MARSHALL, PEORIA, PUTNAM, STARK, TAZEWELL & WOODFORD COUNTIES IN ILLINOIS
EASTERSEALS OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS
$167,500PROVIDES SERVICES TO ENSURE CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS CAN REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL
MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY
$150,000OFFER AN EDUCATION THAT INTEGRATES THE LIBERAL AND PRACTICAL ARTS OF THE PROFESSIONS
OAK RIDGE OUTDOOR FOUNDATION
$75,000MATCHING GRANT FOR SPORTING CLAYS COURSE AUTOMATION
PEORIA RIVERFRONT MUSEUM
CONNECTING ART, HISTORY, SCIENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMS
CARLE HEALTH CENTER FOR PHILANTHROPY
$27,500GENERAL SUPPORT
AMERICA'S WATERSHED INITIATIVE
$25,000FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR CHALLENGES TOWARDS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND RIVERS THAT FLOW FROM IT
TO ADVANCE EARLY LEARNING FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN TO CLOSE THE OPPORTUNITY GAP
MAX MCGRAW WILDLIFE FOUNDATION
$17,600WILDLIFE EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION
ALLENDALE ASSOCIATION
$15,598ALLENDALE YOUTH BOARD MATCHING DONATION
TO ACCELERATE CHILDREN'S LITERACY AND TO DEVELOP A LOVE FOR READING AND WRITING
ALLENDALE ASSOCIATION
$12,500STAR PROGRAM-SHELTER & TRANSITIONAL ADOLESCENT RESOURCES
TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL AND FUN EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER
TO IMPROVE GREEN LAKE'S WATER QUALITY THROUGH SCIENCE-BASED ACTION AND DIVERSE PARTNERSHIPS
HAROLD E EISENBERG FOUNDATION
$10,000SUPPORT GASTROINTESTINAL CANCER RESEARCH
ST THOMAS THE APOSTLE SCHOOL
$10,000MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING FUND
EPC OF PEORIA
$7,500TO PROVIDE LIFELONG SERVICES TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
RICHWOODS HIGH SCHOOL
$5,000MODEL UN ACTIVITY ACCOUNT
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF CENTRAL ILLINOIS
$5,000TO PROMOTE THE SUCCESS OF YOUNG PEOPLE
SUSAN G KOMEN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION
$5,000TO SAVE LIVES BY MEETING THE MOST CRITICAL NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY AND INVESTING IN RESEARCH
MARK LINDER WALK FOR THE MIND
$2,700BRAIN TUMOR AWARENESS AND RESEARCH
SUN FOUNDATION
$2,500TO PROMOTE AWARENESS OF ARTS AND SCIENCES IN RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES
ILLINOIS CANCERCARE FOUNDATION
$2,250MAKING AN IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF CANCER PATIENTS WHILE PAVING THE WAY TO A CURE
AFRICAN AMERICAN HALL OF FAME MUSEUM
$2,000AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY AND ADVANCEMENT
SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY UNITED FOR CHANGE
$2,000TO ENHANCE LIVABILITY IN THE SOUTHSIDE AREA BY DEVELOPING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS
SING-SHIFTING INTO NEW GEAR
$1,000HOLIDAY BASKET PROGRAM
ELMWOOD YATES CITY & FARMINGTON FIREWORKS
$500COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS
PHEASANTS FOREVER
$300TO CONSERVE PHEASANTS, QUAIL, AND OTHER WILDLIFE THROUGH HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS AND EDUCATION
THE PEORIA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$2502024 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
THRASHER OPERA HOUSE
$250TO PROMOTE THE ARTS AND THE POWER OF LIVE PERFORMANCE AND TO PRESERVE THE HISTORIC THRASHER OPERA HOUSE
BREAKTHROUGH T1D
$250SPONSORSHIP
MEET COMMUNITY NEEDS IN MARSHALL, PEORIA, PUTNAM, STARK, TAZEWELL & WOODFORD COUNTIES IN IL
MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY
$150,000OFFER AN EDUCATION THAT INTEGRATES THE LIBERAL AND PRACTICAL ARTS OF THE PROFESSIONS
EASTERSEALS OF CENTRAL IL
$110,200PROVIDES SERVICES TO ENSURE CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS CAN REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL
MAYO CLINIC
$100,000PATIENT CARE, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
PEORIA RIVERFRONT MUSEUM
$74,800CONNECTING ART, HISTORY, SCIENCE AND ACHIEVEMENT THROUGH EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMS
CARLE HEALTH CARE INCORPORATED
$44,000TO OPERATE FACILITIES AND DIVISIONS THAT PROVIDE HEALTH CARE AND RELATED SERVICES
AMERICA'S WATERSHED INITIATIVE
$25,000FINDING SOLUTIONS FOR CHALLENGES TOWARDS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND RIVERS THAT FLOW FROM IT
TO ADVANCE EARLY LEARNING FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN TO CLOSE THE OPPORTUNITY GAP
ALLENDALE ASSOCIATION
$22,500CARE, TREATMENT, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY FOR YOUTH WITH BEHAVIORAL CHALLENGES
DUCKS UNLIMITED
$22,250HABITAT CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION
TO ACCELERATE CHILDREN'S LITERACY AND TO DEVELOP A LOVE FOR READING AND WRITING
TO SUPPORT EDUCATIONAL AND FUN EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER
EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION
$10,000TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
TO ASSIST LOW INCOME AND UNEMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES
PEORIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
$10,000TO SUPPORT PEORIA SCHOOLS BY PROVIDING GRANTS AND FUNDS FOR RESEARCH AND QUALITY EDUCATION
TO IMPROVE GREEN LAKE'S WATER QUALITY THROUGH SCIENCE-BASED ACTION AND DIVERSE PARTNERSHIPS