Ellie's Foundation concentrates its giving into a very small number of large grants, split mainly between faith-based social services and hospital/medical research and education. Although based in Milwaukee, the foundation's major funding goes to Illinois-based organizations, indicating a targeted interest in Lutheran social service work and support for a major academic medical center. Grants are purpose-driven rather than broad unrestricted giving, with repeated multi-grant support to the same institutions.
Highly concentrated: few, very large grants (six grants totaling $1.26M) split mainly between two repeat recipients; funding appears relationship-driven and focused on organizational support rather than many small community grants.
Ellie's Foundation Inc C/o Denasha a Scott makes repeated large grants to a small set of regional institutions, with Lutheran Social Services of Illinois and Northwestern Memorial Foundation accounting for some of the biggest awards in the record. The pattern points to a funder that favors purpose-driven support over broad distribution, concentrating dollars in faith-based social services and hospital-based research and education. Across the recent grants list, the foundation returned to the same organizations in multiple years, including three separate grants to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and repeated support for Northwestern Memorial Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That recurrence suggests steady institutional relationships rather than one-off awards. Smaller grants extend the same general approach to churches, food assistance, and children-and-family services in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Florida. The foundation’s giving also includes support for charitable-purpose initiatives at organizations such as NCH Healthcare System, Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, and Grace Place for Children and Families. Taken together, the record shows a donor that channels most of its visible grantmaking into established nonprofits with specific charitable, religious, medical, or educational purposes.
One clear focus is Lutheran faith-based social services. The foundation gave $225,041 in 2025 and $222,093 in 2024 to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois for charitable purposes, with another $201,629 grant in 2023 to the same organization. A second area is hospital-based research and education. Northwestern Memorial Foundation received $211,396 in 2025, $197,465 in 2024, and $206,432 in 2023 for research and education. The grant list also shows support for local charitable organizations and congregations. In Chicago, Resurrection Lutheran Church received grants of $11,648 in 2023, $11,838 in 2024, and $11,983 in 2025. In Naples, Florida, NCH Healthcare System received charitable-purpose grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. These patterns indicate support for established institutions carrying out direct service, worship, and community-oriented work.
$551K
$19.3M
$6.8M
$661K
Most grants fall between $1K and $8K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$8K
About 10% of grants go to recipients in IL.
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Notable grantees: Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Other regional charitable beneficiaries (unspecified)
Typical grants are small relative to the foundation’s largest awards, with a p25 of $1,000, a median of $2,600, and a p75 of $7,997. The recent record also shows a very concentrated upper tier, with several six-figure grants made to the same organizations over multiple years. Recurrence is a defining feature: Lutheran Social Services of Illinois and Northwestern Memorial Foundation each appear in three consecutive years, and several smaller recipients also repeat. The foundation is structured as a grantmaking organization rather than a vehicle for individuals or program-related investments, and the grants shown are purpose-specific rather than broadly unrestricted.
Grant recipients are entirely U.S.-based in the recent sample. Illinois receives the heaviest visible share, especially Chicago and Des Plaines, where Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Greater Chicago Food Depository, and Lutheran Social Services of Illinois appear. Naples, Florida is another repeated recipient city through NCH Healthcare System, Emmanuel Lutheran Church, and Grace Place for Children and Families. Wisconsin recipients include Florence, while a smaller presence appears in Houghton, Michigan through Pine Mountain Music Festival.
The recent grants point to three main areas: Lutheran faith-based social services, hospital-based research and education, and charitable-purpose support for established nonprofits. Examples include Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Northwestern Memorial Foundation, and community organizations such as Greater Chicago Food Depository and Mercy Home for Boys and Girls.
Yes. Lutheran Social Services of Illinois appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Northwestern Memorial Foundation also appears in all three years. Several smaller recipients recur as well, including Resurrection Lutheran Church, NCH Healthcare System, and Grace Place for Children and Families.
The grant-size distribution is small on the low end and much larger at the top: p25 is $1,000, median is $2,600, and p75 is $7,997. The recent record also includes much larger awards to a few recurring institutions.
Illinois is the main visible state in the recent grants, with repeated awards in Chicago and Des Plaines. Florida also appears through Naples-based recipients, while Wisconsin, including Florence, shows up in smaller grants. All recent grants in the sample are to U.S. recipients.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $269,324 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS | DES PLAINES, IL | $226,472 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $12,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| NCH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM | NAPLES, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH | NAPLES, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MERCY HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS | CHICAGO, IL | $4,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GRACE PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES | NAPLES, FL | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | FLORENCE, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| PINE MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL | HOUGHTON, MI | $2,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH | FLORENCE, WI | $2,500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ARCS | CHICAGO, IL | $700 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MISERICORDIA HOME | CHICAGO, IL | $500 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $310 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS | DES PLAINES, IL | $225,041 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $211,396 | 2025 | RESEARCH AND EDUCATION |
| RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $11,983 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| NCH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM | NAPLES, FL | $9,960 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $7,989 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH | NAPLES, FL | $3,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GRACE PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES | NAPLES, FL | $3,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MERCY HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS | CHICAGO, IL | $3,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| PINE MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL | HOUGHTON, MI | $2,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | FLORENCE, WI | $2,500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ARCS | CHICAGO, IL | $500 | 2025 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $200 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS | DES PLAINES, IL | $222,093 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $197,465 | 2024 | RESEARCH AND EDUCATION |
| NCH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM | NAPLES, FL | $19,766 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $11,838 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $7,940 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| GRACE PLACE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES | NAPLES, FL | $3,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH | NAPLES, FL | $2,945 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MERCY HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS | CHICAGO, IL | $2,940 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH | FLORENCE, WI | $2,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | FLORENCE, WI | $2,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| PINE MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL | HOUGHTON, MI | $2,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2024 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $206,432 | 2023 | RESEARCH AND EDUCATION |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS | DES PLAINES, IL | $201,629 | 2023 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $11,648 | 2023 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| NCH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM | NAPLES, FL | $10,201 | 2023 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $7,997 | 2023 | GENERAL OPERATIONS |
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$269,324CHARITABLE PURPOSES
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS
$226,472CHARITABLE PURPOSES
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH
$12,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
NCH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
$10,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
$5,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MERCY HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
$4,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$2,500CHARITABLE PURPOSES
PINE MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL
$2,500CHARITABLE PURPOSES
BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH
$2,500CHARITABLE PURPOSES
ARCS
$700CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM
$310CHARITABLE PURPOSES
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$211,396RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH
$11,983CHARITABLE PURPOSES
NCH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
$9,960CHARITABLE PURPOSES
EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
$3,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MERCY HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
$3,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
PINE MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL
$2,500CHARITABLE PURPOSES
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$2,500CHARITABLE PURPOSES
ARCS
$500CHARITABLE PURPOSES
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$500GENERAL OPERATIONS
CHICAGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$200GENERAL OPERATIONS
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$197,465RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
NCH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
$19,766CHARITABLE PURPOSES
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH
$11,838CHARITABLE PURPOSES
EMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
$2,945CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MERCY HOME FOR BOYS AND GIRLS
$2,940CHARITABLE PURPOSES
BETHLEHEM LUTHERAN CHURCH
$2,500CHARITABLE PURPOSES
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$2,500CHARITABLE PURPOSES
PINE MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL
$2,500CHARITABLE PURPOSES
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
$500GENERAL OPERATIONS
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$206,432RESEARCH AND EDUCATION
RESURRECTION LUTHERAN CHURCH
$11,648CHARITABLE PURPOSES
NCH HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
$10,201CHARITABLE PURPOSES