The Hamill Family Foundation concentrates its giving on large, multi‑million dollar gifts, primarily supporting land conservation, urban nature spaces and regional cultural institutions in the Chicago / Illinois area. A substantial portion of the year's dollars are transfers to affiliated charitable trusts or successor private foundations, while the remaining grants finance endowments, habitat protection, arboretum and zoo projects, and a local museum in Galena. The pattern shows a philanthropic focus on creating and sustaining public natural spaces and conservation capacity in Illinois alongside legacy/structural transfers of assets to related entities.
A defining feature of the Hamill Family Foundation’s recent giving is its use of very large transfers to affiliated charitable trusts and successor private foundations. In 2025, three separate successor-structure grants each exceeded $10.8 million, and several additional transfers of cash and partnership interests followed the same pattern. Outside those structural gifts, the foundation’s philanthropy centers on conservation, habitat protection, and public natural spaces in Illinois, with Openlands receiving support for an endowment and other Chicago-area organizations funded for conservation and nature access. The foundation also backs cultural and heritage institutions tied to place. Recent grants include support for the Galena-Jo Daviess Co Historical Society’s museum work, the Chicago Zoological Society’s Hamill Family Nature Plaza, and the Morton Arboretum’s Second Century Challenge. The Nature Conservancy of Illinois and the Environmental Law & Policy Center show another thread: funding for conservation in Illinois and habitat protection. Across these gifts, the Hamill Family Foundation appears to combine legacy asset transfers with direct support for land, habitat, and civic institutions in Illinois.
Illinois land conservation is one of the clearest themes in the foundation’s grantmaking. The Nature Conservancy of Illinois received $1,000,000 for conservation in Illinois and flagship preserves, while the Environmental Law & Policy Center received $1,050,000 for conservation of natural resources and habitat protection. The foundation also funds urban nature and public access projects in the Chicago area. Openlands received $2,400,000 for Nature for All endowment support, and the Chicago Zoological Society received $1,000,000 for Hamill Family Nature Plaza. Heritage and interpretation appear as another line of support. The Galena-Jo Daviess Co Historical Society received $1,000,000 for the Galena & U.S. Grant Museum, linking the foundation’s giving to a local museum and historical site in Galena. Education and public engagement show up through media as well: WTTW Channel 11 received $625,000 for Nature Cat programming.
Typical grants are small relative to the largest awards: the p25 is $1,000, the median is $5,000, and the p75 is $25,000. The distribution is highly uneven because 2025 included several very large asset transfers to affiliated trusts and successor private foundations, alongside much smaller operating and program gifts. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Recipients recur across years: Openlands, Morton Arboretum, The Conservation Foundation, Environmental Law & Policy Center, and the Galena-Jo Daviess Co Historical Society each appear in more than one grant year, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards.
$50.2M
$0
$4.7M
$50.3M
Most grants fall between $1K and $25K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Very concentrated: a small number of very large grants. Major portion of funds were transfers to affiliated trusts/successor foundations, with the remaining multi‑year/multi‑million dollar grants targeted to a handful of regional conservation and cultural institutions rather than many small awards.
Notable grantees: Openlands, Environmental Law & Policy Center, Morton Arboretum, Chicago Zoological Society, Nature Conservancy of Illinois
Grant dollars land overwhelmingly in the United States, and the foundation gives most often in Illinois. Chicago appears repeatedly, including grants to Openlands, Environmental Law & Policy Center, and several successor-trust entities. Other Illinois recipient locations include Naperville, Lisle, Brookfield, Galena, and Elizabeth. Outside Illinois, the recipient list includes Boston, MA, and Driggs, ID. Based on the grant count data, 47% of grants go to recipients in Illinois.
The foundation supports conservation and habitat work, urban nature and public green spaces, natural science institutions, and museums. Named examples from recent grants include Openlands for an endowment, the Nature Conservancy of Illinois for conservation in Illinois and flagship preserves, the Chicago Zoological Society for Hamill Family Nature Plaza, and the Galena-Jo Daviess Co Historical Society for the Galena & U.S. Grant Museum.
Yes. Illinois is the top state by grant count, with 47% of grants going to recipients in the state. Recent Illinois recipients include organizations in Chicago, Naperville, Lisle, Brookfield, Galena, and Elizabeth.
The typical grant size is small compared with its largest gifts: p25 is $1,000, the median is $5,000, and p75 is $25,000. That distribution sits alongside a few much larger awards, including multi-million-dollar grants and asset transfers in 2025.
Yes. Several organizations appear in multiple years, including Openlands, Morton Arboretum, The Conservation Foundation, Environmental Law & Policy Center, and the Galena-Jo Daviess Co Historical Society. That pattern suggests repeated support over time rather than one-off grantmaking.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals, and the recent grants are all to organizations, trusts, or institutions.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hamill Charitable Trust - NT 03-18125 | Chicago, IL | $10,862,968 | 2025 | Transfer of Assets to Successor Private Foundation(See Attachment D) |
| The Corwith Fund - NT 03-18125 | Chicago, IL | $10,862,941 | 2025 | Transfer of Assets to Successor Private Foundation(see Attachment A) |
| Carwythen Charitable Trust - NT 03-18125 | Chicago, IL | $10,862,038 | 2025 | Transfer of Assets to Successor Private Foundation(See Attachment E) |
| Openlands | Chicago, IL | $2,400,000 | 2025 | Nature for AllEndowment |
| Hamill Charitable Trust - NT 03-03604 | Chicago, IL | $1,986,052 | 2025 | Transfer of Assets to Successor Private Foundation(See Attachment C) |
| Carwythen Charitable Trust - NT 03-03604 | Chicago, IL | $1,986,052 | 2025 | Transfer of Assets to Successor Private Foundation(See Attachment F) |
| The Corwith Fund - NT 03-03604 | Chicago, IL | $1,986,052 | 2025 | Transfer of Assets to Successor Private Foundation(see Attachment B) |
| Environmental Law & Policy Center | Chicago, IL | $1,050,000 | 2025 | Conservationof Natural Resourcesand Habitat Protection |
| The Conservation Foundation | Naperville, IL | $1,000,000 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
| Morton Arboretum | Lisle, IL | $668,000 | 2025 | Hamill Family FoundationSecond CenturyChallenge |
| Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation | Elizabeth, IL | $643,911 | 2025 | Big Sky NatureReserve Fund |
| Carwythen Charitable Trust - NT 03-18125 - Cash | Chicago, IL | $376,677 | 2025 | Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation |
| The Corwith Fund - NT 03-18125 - Cash | Chicago, IL | $375,758 | 2025 | Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation |
| Hamill Charitable Trust - NT 03-18125 - Cash | Chicago, IL | $375,431 | 2025 | Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation |
| The Corwith Fund | Chicago, IL | $340,912 | 2025 | Transfer of LP interest in Cornelius Capital Partners LPto Successor Private Foundation |
| Carwythen Charitable Trust | Chicago, IL | $340,909 | 2025 | Transfer of LP interest in Cornelius Capital Partners LPto Successor Private Foundation |
| Hamill Charitable Trust | Chicago, IL | $340,909 | 2025 | Transfer of LP interest in Cornelius Capital Partners LPto Successor Private Foundation |
| Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund | Boston, MA | $322,965 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
| Hamill Charitable Trust - Acct 8438 | Chicago, IL | $278,315 | 2025 | Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation |
| The Corwith Fund - Acct 8438 | Chicago, IL | $278,315 | 2025 | Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation |
| Carwythen Charitable Trust - Acct 8438 | Chicago, IL | $278,315 | 2025 | Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation |
| Teton Regional Land Trust | Driggs, ID | $250,000 | 2025 | Legacy of LandCampaign |
| Natural Land Institute | Rockford, IL | $250,000 | 2025 | Lands OwnedStewardshipEndowment Fund |
| Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation | Elizabeth, IL | $225,000 | 2025 | Strategic Inititatives, Education andOutreach Program |
| Field Museum of Natural History | Chicago, IL | $166,000 | 2025 | Keller Science CtrYouth ConservationAction Programs |
| Chicago Zoological Society | Brookfield, IL | $157,994 | 2025 | Hamill FamilyNature Plaza |
| The International Crane Foundation | Baraboo, WI | $150,000 | 2025 | Whooping CraneConservation |
| Carwythen Charitable Trust | Chicago, IL | $139,431 | 2025 | Transfer of LP interest in HCS Family Fund LPto Successor Private Foundation |
| The Corwith Fund | Chicago, IL | $139,431 | 2025 | Transfer of LP interest in HCS Family Fund LPto Successor Private Foundation |
| Hamill Charitable Trust | Chicago, IL | $139,431 | 2025 | Transfer of LP interest in HCS Family Fund LPto Successor Private Foundation |
| Hamill Charitable Trust - NT 03-03604 - Cash | Chicago, IL | $130,000 | 2025 | Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation |
| The Corwith Fund - NT 03-03604 - Cash | Chicago, IL | $130,000 | 2025 | Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation |
| Carwythen Charitable Trust - NT 03-03604 - Cash | Chicago, IL | $130,000 | 2025 | Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation |
| Prairie State Conservation Coalition | Springfield, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | OffsetAdministrativeCosts |
| Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation | Elizabeth, IL | $51,000 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
| American Horse Trials Foundation Inc | Southwick, MA | $35,000 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
| Chicago Zoological Society | Brookfield, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
| Nature Conservancy of Illinois | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
| Hotchkiss School | Lakeville, CT | $25,000 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
| Openlands | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | ConservingLand for All |
| Naples Botanical Garden | Naples, FL | $15,000 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
| The Nature Conservancy of Adirondack | Keene, NY | $13,000 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
| Barrington Area Conservation Trust | Barrington, IL | $12,500 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
| Barrington Area Community Foundation | Barrington, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
| Natural Resources Defense Council | New York, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
| Cofan Survival Fund | Oak Park, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
| Teton Regional Land Trust | Driggs, ID | $10,000 | 2025 | Legacy of LandCampaign |
| The Conservation Foundation | Naperville, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
| Morton Arboretum | Lisle, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
| Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation | Elizabeth, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Unrestricted |
Hamill Charitable Trust - NT 03-18125
$10,862,968Transfer of Assets to Successor Private Foundation(See Attachment D)
The Corwith Fund - NT 03-18125
$10,862,941Transfer of Assets to Successor Private Foundation(see Attachment A)
Carwythen Charitable Trust - NT 03-18125
$10,862,038Transfer of Assets to Successor Private Foundation(See Attachment E)
Hamill Charitable Trust - NT 03-03604
$1,986,052Transfer of Assets to Successor Private Foundation(See Attachment C)
Carwythen Charitable Trust - NT 03-03604
Transfer of Assets to Successor Private Foundation(See Attachment F)
The Corwith Fund - NT 03-03604
$1,986,052Transfer of Assets to Successor Private Foundation(see Attachment B)
Environmental Law & Policy Center
$1,050,000Conservationof Natural Resourcesand Habitat Protection
Carwythen Charitable Trust - NT 03-18125 - Cash
$376,677Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation
The Corwith Fund - NT 03-18125 - Cash
$375,758Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation
Hamill Charitable Trust - NT 03-18125 - Cash
$375,431Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation
The Corwith Fund
$340,912Transfer of LP interest in Cornelius Capital Partners LPto Successor Private Foundation
Carwythen Charitable Trust
$340,909Transfer of LP interest in Cornelius Capital Partners LPto Successor Private Foundation
Hamill Charitable Trust
$340,909Transfer of LP interest in Cornelius Capital Partners LPto Successor Private Foundation
Hamill Charitable Trust - Acct 8438
$278,315Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation
The Corwith Fund - Acct 8438
$278,315Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation
Carwythen Charitable Trust - Acct 8438
$278,315Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation
Strategic Inititatives, Education andOutreach Program
Field Museum of Natural History
$166,000Keller Science CtrYouth ConservationAction Programs
Carwythen Charitable Trust
$139,431Transfer of LP interest in HCS Family Fund LPto Successor Private Foundation
The Corwith Fund
$139,431Transfer of LP interest in HCS Family Fund LPto Successor Private Foundation
Hamill Charitable Trust
$139,431Transfer of LP interest in HCS Family Fund LPto Successor Private Foundation
Hamill Charitable Trust - NT 03-03604 - Cash
$130,000Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation
The Corwith Fund - NT 03-03604 - Cash
$130,000Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation
Carwythen Charitable Trust - NT 03-03604 - Cash
$130,000Transfer of Cash to Successor Private Foundation
Prairie State Conservation Coalition
$75,000OffsetAdministrativeCosts
Nature Conservancy of Illinois
$25,000Unrestricted
Hotchkiss School
$25,000Unrestricted
The Nature Conservancy of Adirondack
$13,000Unrestricted
Barrington Area Conservation Trust
$12,500Unrestricted
Barrington Area Community Foundation
$10,000Unrestricted
Cofan Survival Fund
$10,000Unrestricted