The G Carl Ball Family Foundation concentrates on supporting community recreation, parks/arboretum conservation, and private school education through sizable operational grants. Their funding is dominated by a few large gifts to YMCAs, regional park organizations and a private school, indicating a preference for sustaining institution-level capacity rather than small project grants. Grants are often repeated to the same organizations and explicitly designated for operations, suggesting trust in established local and regional institutions to deliver community services.
Concentrated giving: a small number of large, often repeat operational grants to established institutions; primarily regional/local focus with emphasis on sustaining organizational capacity.
G Carl Ball Family Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeated operating support to community institutions, especially the YMCA in Glen Ellyn, which received $2,000,000 in 2025 after a $2,000,000 grant in 2024 and earlier support at lower levels. The foundation also makes large multi-year commitments to place-based conservation and education organizations, including Morton Arboretum, Orme School, and several local park and historical groups. That pattern points to a funder that favors sustaining organizations over one-time projects. The foundation’s grant list shows a concentration in Illinois institutions, with awards for operations rather than restricted programs. In the recent grants, Glen Ellyn and nearby DuPage-area organizations recur frequently, alongside support for regional conservation, private school operations, and community recreation. The scale is substantial: annual grants totaled $11,883,890, and individual awards range from mid-sized operating gifts to seven-figure commitments. Across the portfolio, the same recipients often appear in multiple years, suggesting long-term relationships with established nonprofits that serve local communities and manage ongoing facilities, staff, and public programs.
Community recreation is one of the clearest themes in the grant record. The foundation gave $2,000,000 to YMCA in Glen Ellyn for support operations in 2025, after giving $2,000,000 to Br Ryall YMCA in Glen Ellyn in 2024 and $1,000,000 to the same organization in 2023. Conservation and public garden capacity also appear prominently. Morton Arboretum in Lisle received $1,250,000 in 2023, then $181,000 in 2025, with additional operating grants of $100,000 in 2024 and $100,000 in 2023. Education support includes private and independent schools. Orme School in Mayer received $500,000 in 2023, $200,000 in 2024, and $300,000 in 2025 for support operations. The foundation also extended operating support to Limestone University and Cal Poly. Local civic and heritage organizations show up as well, including Friends of Ge Parks, Glenbard Spaulding Park, Farnsworth House, and the DuPage-area historical and conservation groups.
Typical grant size is in the mid-range for institutional support: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $15,000, and the 75th percentile is $42,500. The recent grant list also includes several large operating commitments, which pull the overall portfolio upward. This is a repeat-grantmaker. Br Ryall YMCA, Morton Arboretum, Orme School, Seed Your Future, Friends of Ge Parks, and several DuPage-area organizations appear in multiple years. The foundation’s filings show a family foundation structure, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The awards shown are overwhelmingly designated for support operations, core capacity, and overhead-style expense coverage.
$4.1M
$31.9M
$2.3M
$4.2M
Most grants fall between $10K and $43K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$43K
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Notable grantees: BR Ryall YMCA, YMCA (regional affiliate), Morton Arboretum, Orme School, Friends of GE Parks
Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in the United States, and 77% of grants go to organizations in Illinois, the foundation’s top state by grant count. Glen Ellyn appears repeatedly, including YMCA, Br Ryall YMCA, Friends of Ge Parks, Glenbard Spaulding Park, College of DuPage Foundation, and Ge Historical Society. Other Illinois recipients include Lisle, Plano, Downers Grove, Naperville, and North suburban and DuPage-area institutions. Outside Illinois, the foundation also supports organizations in Mayer, Arizona, Gaffney, South Carolina, San Luis Obispo, California, and Alexandria, Virginia.
The grant record centers on community recreation, conservation, and education. Recent grants include support for YMCA operations in Glen Ellyn, Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Orme School in Mayer, and several local park, historical, and conservation organizations in Illinois.
Yes. The recent grants are explicitly labeled "support operations" across the portfolio, including large awards to YMCA, Morton Arboretum, Orme School, and multiple DuPage-area organizations. The pattern suggests a preference for core operating support rather than project-only grants.
The typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $15,000 at the median, and $42,500 at the 75th percentile. The recent record also includes several much larger operating gifts, including seven-figure awards to community institutions.
Illinois is the top state by grant count, with 77% of grants going to recipients in Illinois. Recent Illinois recipients cluster in Glen Ellyn, Lisle, Plano, Downers Grove, and Naperville.
Yes. Several organizations appear across multiple years, including Br Ryall YMCA, Morton Arboretum, Orme School, Seed Your Future, Friends of Ge Parks, and The Conservation Foundation. That recurring pattern indicates ongoing relationships with established recipients.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YMCA | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $2,000,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| GLENBARD SPAULDING PARK | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $322,941 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| ORME SCHOOL | MAYER, AZ | $300,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| BR RYALL YMCA | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $250,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| EDITH FARNSWORTH | PLANO, IL | $210,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| MORTON ARBORETUM | LISLE, IL | $181,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| SEED YOUR FUTURE | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $150,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| CAL POLY | SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| GLEN ELLYN HISTORICAL SOCIETY | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION | NAPERVILLE, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| COLLEGE OF DUPAGE FOUNDATION | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| DUPAGE FOUNDATION | DOWNERS GROVE, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| AHS | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $45,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| DUPAGE FOUNDATION | DOWNERS GROVE, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| OAKS RECOVERY | GREENWOOD, SC | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| GLEN ELLYN 4TH OF JULY | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| FRIENDS OF THE GLEN ELLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| FRIENDS OF THE FOREST PRESERVE DUPAGE | WHEATON, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| EDUCARE OF WEST DUPAGE | WEST CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| SALVATION ARMY | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| KID'S GARDENING | BURLINGTON, VT | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| SPAULDING PARK | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $10,925 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| FRIENDS OF CHICAGO RIVER | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| DUPAGE SENIOR CITIZEN COUNCIL | LOMBARD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| FABRETTO CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | EVANSTON, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| OPENLANDS | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| FRIENDS OF WEST CHICAGO PARKS | WEST CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| GLEN ELLYN PARKS FOUNDATION | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| KID'S GARDENING | BURLINGTON, VT | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| MEXICAN CULTURAL CENTER (OLMEC TRAILS) | WEST CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| GLEN ELLYN YOUTH AND FAMILY COUNSELING | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| MONTGOMERY BOTANIC CENTER | CORAL GABLES, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| GLEN ELLYN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| RAMSDELL THEATER | MANISTEE, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| CRISIS TEXT LINE | NEW YORK, NY | $2,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| WORLD RELIEF DUPAGE | CAROL STREAM, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| ST CHARLES SINGERS | ST CHARLES, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| GE CHILDREN'S RESOURCE CENTER | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| BRIDGE COMMUNITIES | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $1,500 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| COSLEY ZOO | WHEATON, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| TOUR OF GLEN ELLYN | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| BR RYALL YMCA | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $2,000,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| BR RYALL YMCA | GLEN ELLYN, IL | $250,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| ORME SCHOOL | MAYER, AZ | $200,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| SEED YOUR FUTURE | MARTINSVILLE, IN | $150,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| LIMESTONE UNIVERSITY | GAFFNEY, SC | $100,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
| MORTON ARBORETUM | LISLE, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OPERATIONS |
YMCA
$2,000,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
GLENBARD SPAULDING PARK
$322,941SUPPORT OPERATIONS
BR RYALL YMCA
$250,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
EDITH FARNSWORTH
$210,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
SUPPORT OPERATIONS
SEED YOUR FUTURE
$150,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
GLEN ELLYN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$50,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
DUPAGE FOUNDATION
$50,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
AHS
$45,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
DUPAGE FOUNDATION
$25,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
MAYO CLINIC
$25,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
OAKS RECOVERY
$25,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
GLEN ELLYN 4TH OF JULY
$25,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
FRIENDS OF THE GLEN ELLYN PUBLIC LIBRARY
$25,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
FRIENDS OF THE FOREST PRESERVE DUPAGE
$20,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
EDUCARE OF WEST DUPAGE
$15,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
SALVATION ARMY
$15,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
KID'S GARDENING
$15,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
SPAULDING PARK
$10,925SUPPORT OPERATIONS
DUPAGE SENIOR CITIZEN COUNCIL
$10,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
FRIENDS OF WEST CHICAGO PARKS
$10,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
GLEN ELLYN PARKS FOUNDATION
$10,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
KID'S GARDENING
$10,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
MEXICAN CULTURAL CENTER (OLMEC TRAILS)
$10,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
GLEN ELLYN YOUTH AND FAMILY COUNSELING
$5,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
MONTGOMERY BOTANIC CENTER
$5,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
GLEN ELLYN VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
$5,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
$5,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
RAMSDELL THEATER
$5,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
WORLD RELIEF DUPAGE
$2,500SUPPORT OPERATIONS
ST CHARLES SINGERS
$2,500SUPPORT OPERATIONS
GE CHILDREN'S RESOURCE CENTER
$2,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
COSLEY ZOO
$1,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
TOUR OF GLEN ELLYN
$1,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
BR RYALL YMCA
$2,000,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
BR RYALL YMCA
$250,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS
SEED YOUR FUTURE
$150,000SUPPORT OPERATIONS