The Owen Foundation concentrates its giving almost exclusively on higher education in central Illinois, making sizable gifts to local colleges and university foundations. Grants are focused on institutional support for public and private universities rather than broad social services, indicating a priority on sustaining higher-education capacity and programs in the Bloomington–Normal region.
A small number of relatively large grants concentrated on a few repeat grantees (two grants each to three local universities), indicating targeted, sustained support for local higher-education institutions rather than a broad or highly diversified portfolio.
The Owen Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeated six-figure support for Illinois State University Foundation, with $85,400 in 2023 and $76,400 in 2024 for educational purposes. That pattern points to a funder that sustains higher education over time rather than making isolated gifts. Across the latest grants on file, the foundation also backs other central Illinois institutions, including the University of Illinois Foundation and Illinois Wesleyan University, each receiving $25,000 in both 2023 and 2024. The mix of grantees shows a clear institutional emphasis, but the portfolio is not limited to campuses alone. Smaller awards extend to local charitable and public-purpose recipients in Bloomington, Normal, and nearby communities, suggesting a grantmaker that combines major academic support with steady community-level funding. The grant descriptions are largely broad and purpose-based, such as “support of educational purpose,” “support of public purpose,” and “support of charitable purpose,” which signals flexible support rather than narrowly restricted project funding. The overall picture is of a local Illinois foundation using its grants to reinforce the education ecosystem and related civic organizations in the Bloomington–Normal area.
Higher education is the strongest theme in The Owen Foundation’s grant record. Illinois State University Foundation received $76,400 in 2024 and $85,400 in 2023 for educational purposes, while the University of Illinois Foundation received $25,000 in both years for public purpose support. Illinois Wesleyan University also received $25,000 in 2023 and $25,000 in 2024 for educational purposes, reinforcing the foundation’s recurring commitment to university institutions. Beyond campuses, the foundation supports local charitable and civic organizations. Center for Hope Outreach Program received $10,000 in 2023 and $9,500 in 2024, both for charitable purposes. The foundation also gave $15,000 in 2024 to Allin Township Fire Prot District for public purpose support, showing that its grantmaking reaches into community infrastructure as well as education. Smaller recurring gifts to organizations such as The Salvation Army and Mid Central Community Action Inc further show a local service orientation.
Typical grants cluster tightly around $5,000, with the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile at $5,000, $5,000, and $10,000. That indicates a pattern of steady mid-five-figure institutional grants alongside a larger set of smaller awards. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Illinois State University Foundation, University of Illinois Foundation, Illinois Wesleyan University, Center for Hope Outreach Program, Mondo's Mission Inc, The Salvation Army, YMCA Blm-nrml Charitable Foundation, International Waldenstrom Foundatio, International Ocd Foundation, Home Sweet Home Ministries, and Mid Central Community Action Inc. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Its giving appears to be direct foundation grantmaking rather than an application-based public process.
$250K
$2.8M
$313K
$261K
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Notable grantees: Illinois State University Foundation, University of Illinois Foundation, Illinois Wesleyan University
The Owen Foundation gives locally: 85% of its grants go to recipients in Illinois, and every grant in the recent set went to U.S.-based organizations. Recipients are concentrated in Bloomington and Normal, with additional grants in Urbana, Stanford, Eureka, and Decatur. Bloomington and Normal appear repeatedly in the recipient list, especially for education and community organizations. The geographic pattern is tightly regional, centered on central Illinois rather than a broad multi-state footprint.
Its recent grants center on higher education and related institutional support. Illinois State University Foundation, University of Illinois Foundation, and Illinois Wesleyan University each received repeated support, while the rest of the portfolio includes local charitable and public-purpose recipients in central Illinois.
The grant-size distribution is compact: the 25th percentile is $5,000, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. Recent awards include both repeated $5,000 gifts and larger institutional grants such as $76,400 and $85,400.
Yes. Illinois is the top state by grant count, and 85% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. The recent grant list also shows central Illinois cities such as Bloomington, Normal, Urbana, Stanford, Eureka, and Decatur.
Yes. Illinois State University Foundation, University of Illinois Foundation, Illinois Wesleyan University, Center for Hope Outreach Program, Mondo's Mission Inc, The Salvation Army, YMCA Blm-nrml Charitable Foundation, and Mid Central Community Action Inc all appear in multiple years.
No. The foundation funds organizations rather than individuals, and it does not make program-related investments.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | NORMAL, IL | $114,400 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | URBANA, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES |
| ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES |
| LIFELONG ACCESS | NORMAL, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| INTERNATIONAL WALDENSTROM FOUNDATION | SARASOTA, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| EUREKA COLLEGE | EUREKA, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES |
| BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER OF CENTRAL IL | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MONDO'S MISSION INC | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| YMCA BLM-NRML CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| INTERNATIONAL OCD FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MID CENTRAL COMMUNITY ACTION INC | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| OASIS COMMUNITY OUTREACH | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| FAITH IN ACTION OF BLMNORMAL | NORMAL, IL | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| AUTISM MCLEAN | NORMAL, IL | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ST JOSEPH FOUNDATION | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF BLMNORMAL | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| CARLE HEALTH CENTER | NORMAL, IL | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| THE MIRACLE LEAGUE OF CENTRAL IL | NORMAL, IL | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ABUNDANT LIFE CHRIST CHURCH | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| WESTERN AVENUE COMMUNITY CENTER | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $3,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| DOWNS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | DOWNS, IL | $2,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| LIVING WELL UNITED | LEROY, IL | $2,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| PARKER KEMP FOUNDATION | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $2,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| MCLEAN CO DEPUTIES | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $450 | 2026 | CHARITABLE PURPOSES |
| ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIO | NORMAL, IL | $75,700 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | URBANA, IL | $26,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE |
| ALLIN TOWNSHIP FIRE PROT DISTRICT | STANFORD, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF PUBLIC PURPOSE |
| LIFELONG ACCESS | NORMAL, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MID CENTRAL COMMUNITY ACTION INC | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| INTERNATIONAL OCD FOUNDATION | BOSTON, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MONDO'S MISSION INC | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| EUREKA COLLEGE | EUREKA, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| PET CENTRAL HELPS | NORMAL, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| INTERNATIONAL WALDENSTROM FOUNDATIO | SARASOTA, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HOME SWEET HOME MINISTRIES | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| YMCA BLM-NRML CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| BIG BROTHER BIG SIS OF CENTRAL IL | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WESTERN AVENUE COMMUNITY CENTER | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $3,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE MIRACLE LEAGUE OF CENTRAL ILLIN | NORMAL, IL | $3,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| AUTISM MCLEAN | NORMAL, IL | $3,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| FAITH IN ACTION OF BLOOM-NORMAL | NORMAL, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ST JOSEPH HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WD BOYCE COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS | PEORIA, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATIO | NORMAL, IL | $76,400 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE |
| ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY | BLOOMINGTON, IL | $25,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF EDUCATIONAL PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | URBANA, IL | $25,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF PUBLIC PURPOSE |
| ALLIN TOWNSHIP FIRE PROT DISTRICT | STANFORD, IL | $15,000 | 2024 | SUPPORT OF PUBLIC PURPOSE |
LIFELONG ACCESS
$10,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
INTERNATIONAL WALDENSTROM FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
THE SALVATION ARMY
CHARITABLE PURPOSES
BIG BROTHER BIG SISTER OF CENTRAL IL
$5,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MONDO'S MISSION INC
$5,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
YMCA BLM-NRML CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
OASIS COMMUNITY OUTREACH
$5,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
FAITH IN ACTION OF BLMNORMAL
$3,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
AUTISM MCLEAN
$3,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
ST JOSEPH FOUNDATION
$3,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF BLMNORMAL
$3,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
CARLE HEALTH CENTER
$3,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
THE MIRACLE LEAGUE OF CENTRAL IL
$3,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
ABUNDANT LIFE CHRIST CHURCH
$3,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
WESTERN AVENUE COMMUNITY CENTER
$3,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
DOWNS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$2,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
LIVING WELL UNITED
$2,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
PARKER KEMP FOUNDATION
$2,000CHARITABLE PURPOSES
MCLEAN CO DEPUTIES
$450CHARITABLE PURPOSES
ALLIN TOWNSHIP FIRE PROT DISTRICT
$15,000SUPPORT OF PUBLIC PURPOSE
LIFELONG ACCESS
$10,000SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE
INTERNATIONAL OCD FOUNDATION
$5,000SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MONDO'S MISSION INC
$5,000SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE SALVATION ARMY
$5,000SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE
PET CENTRAL HELPS
$5,000SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE
YMCA BLM-NRML CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$5,000SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE
BIG BROTHER BIG SIS OF CENTRAL IL
$5,000SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE
WESTERN AVENUE COMMUNITY CENTER
$3,000SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE MIRACLE LEAGUE OF CENTRAL ILLIN
$3,000SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE
AUTISM MCLEAN
$3,000SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE
FAITH IN ACTION OF BLOOM-NORMAL
$2,000SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ST JOSEPH HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
$2,000SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE
WD BOYCE COUNCIL BOY SCOUTS
$2,000SUPPORT OF CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ALLIN TOWNSHIP FIRE PROT DISTRICT
$15,000SUPPORT OF PUBLIC PURPOSE