The Wilemal Fund concentrates almost all of its philanthropy on private education institutions, providing very large, unrestricted gifts to independent K–12 schools and a small number of higher education institutions. Grants are national in scope (examples in DC, New York, Illinois and Florida) and occasionally include arts organizations, but education—especially elite independent schools and college support—is the clear priority.
Highly concentrated giving: very few, very large grants with repeat funding to key educational grantees; primarily unrestricted general support rather than many small grants.
Wilemal Fund C/o Briar Hall LLC makes outsized unrestricted gifts to independent schools and colleges, with several multi-year commitments that reach into the hundreds of thousands and, in one case, the millions. The largest recent award in the file is a 2024 grant of $3,932,179 to Washington International School for general, scientific, or education purposes, followed by a 2023 grant of $2,157,700 to the same school. That pattern points to a funder that backs educational institutions with substantial operating support rather than narrow project funding. The fund’s recent record also shows repeated support for The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York, including grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, as well as sizable college support for Lake Forest College. Education is the dominant theme across the portfolio, but the fund also makes some grants to arts and culture organizations such as Palm Beach Opera and Alliance Francaise De Chicago. Most awards use broad-purpose language, indicating flexibility in how grantees apply the money.
Private education is the clearest throughline. In 2025, Wilemal Fund C/o Briar Hall LLC gave $852,336 to The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York, for general, scientific, or education purposes, following $750,000 grants in both 2024 and 2023. College support appears as well: Lake Forest College received $687,903 in 2024 and $558,786 in 2025. The fund also backs arts and cultural institutions. Palm Beach Opera in West Palm Beach received $640,970 in 2024, then $250,000 in both 2025 and 2023. Alliance Francaise De Chicago received $272,692 in 2024, plus $122,176 in 2025 and $118,451 in 2023. Environmental and community-oriented organizations appear in the recent file too, including The Nature Conservancy of North Carolina, Audubon North Carolina, and Hobe Sound Community Chest, all funded under the same broad-purpose language.
Typical grants cluster around a middle range of $25,000, with a p25 of $20,000 and a p75 of $100,000. The recent list also includes much larger awards, which suggests a bimodal pattern of smaller institutional support alongside major operating grants. The data show repeat grants to the same recipients across 2023, 2024, and 2025, especially in education and select arts organizations, indicating an ongoing relationship model rather than one-off giving. The fund is a private foundation, and the grants are described with broad-purpose language such as general, scientific, or education purposes.
$3.6M
$3.2M
$7.4M
$3.7M
Most grants fall between $20K and $100K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$20K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$100K
About 21% of grants go to recipients in NC.
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Notable grantees: Washington International School, The Masters School, Lake Forest College, Palm Beach Opera
The foundation gives nationally, and every recent grant in the file goes to a U.S. recipient. Chicago appears multiple times through Alliance Francaise De Chicago, while Washington, DC, Dobbs Ferry, New York, Lake Forest, Illinois, and West Palm Beach and Hobe Sound, Florida also recur. Florida is the top state by grant count, even though the foundation’s headquarters are in Chicago, Illinois. Recipients in North Carolina also appear several times, including Durham, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem.
The strongest pattern is support for private education institutions, especially independent K–12 schools and some colleges. The recent grants list is led by Washington International School, The Masters School, and Lake Forest College, all funded for general, scientific, or education purposes.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years. Washington International School received grants in 2023 and 2024, The Masters School appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Palm Beach Opera and Alliance Francaise De Chicago each received more than one grant across the recent file.
The grant-size distribution centers on smaller awards, with a p25 of $20,000, a median of $25,000, and a p75 of $100,000. The recent grants list also includes much larger awards to a small number of institutions.
Giving is national, but Florida is the top state by grant count. Recent recipient cities include Washington, DC; Dobbs Ferry, New York; Lake Forest, Illinois; West Palm Beach and Hobe Sound, Florida; and several North Carolina cities including Durham, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem.
Most recent grants use broad language such as general, scientific, or education purposes. That wording appears across schools, colleges, and arts organizations, including Washington International School, The Masters School, Palm Beach Opera, and Alliance Francaise De Chicago.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE MASTERS SCHOOL | DOBBS FERRY, NY | $852,336 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| LAKE FOREST COLLEGE | LAKE FOREST, IL | $558,786 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF NORTH CAROLINA | DURHAM, NC | $500,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| PALM BEACH OPERA | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $250,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| AUDUBON NORTH CAROLINA | DURHAM, NC | $200,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| HOBE SOUND COMMUNITY CHEST | HOBE SOUND, FL | $150,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $122,176 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| BANNER LAKE CLUB | HOBE SOUND, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| TUDOR PLACE | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| SAWTOOTH SCHOOL FOR VISUAL ARTS | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $100,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| SUMMIT SCHOOL | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $75,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| PHILLIPS ACADEMY | ANDOVER, MA | $70,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| THE CONSERVATION FUND | ARLINGTON, VA | $40,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| FOSTER CARE SUPPORT FOUNDATION | ROSWELL, GA | $40,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| HOUSING FOR NEW HOPE | DURHAM, NC | $35,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| TRIANGLE LAND CONSERVANCY | DURHAM, NC | $35,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| FOUR PAWS INTERNATIONAL | BOSTON, MA | $30,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| TRANSFORMER DC | WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| MOUNT VERNON | MOUNT VERNON, VA | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| RAGDALE FOUNDATION | LAKE FOREST, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD | DURHAM, NC | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| BRAVO WAUKEGAN | LAKE FOREST, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT | LAKE FOREST, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| HILLWOOD ESTATE MUSEUM & GARDENS | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| GEORGETOWN MINISTRY CENTER | WASHINGTON, DC | $20,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| FULTON COUNTY CASA | CUBA, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| REYNALDA HOUSE | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $15,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| CHRIST MEMORIAL CHAPEL | HOBE SOUND, FL | $15,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| JUPITER ISLAND MEDICAL CLINIC INC | HOBE SOUND, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD | WINSTONSALEM, NC | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| WASHINGTON WINTER SHOW | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| RAVINIA FESTIVAL | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $8,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| RAICES | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE PENINSULA | MENLO PARK, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| HARVARD UNIVERSITY | CAMBRIDGE, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| BISHOP WALKER SCHOOL FOR BOYS | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| MARTHA'S TABLE | WASHINGTON, DC | $2,500 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| WGBH | BOSTON, MA | $2,500 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| LOAVES & FISHES | CHARLOTTE, NC | $2,500 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| CHURCH OF ST MARY | LAKE FOREST, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| PRINCETON UNIVERSITY | PRINCETON, NJ | $1,000 | 2025 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,932,179 | 2024 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| THE MASTERS SCHOOL | DOBBS FERRY, NY | $750,000 | 2024 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| LAKE FOREST COLLEGE | LAKE FOREST, IL | $687,903 | 2024 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| PALM BEACH OPERA | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $640,970 | 2024 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| THE NATURE CONSERVANCY OF NORTH CAROLINA | DURHAM, NC | $500,000 | 2024 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
| ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $272,692 | 2024 | FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE |
LAKE FOREST COLLEGE
$558,786FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
PALM BEACH OPERA
$250,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE CHICAGO
$122,176FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
TUDOR PLACE
$100,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
SAWTOOTH SCHOOL FOR VISUAL ARTS
$100,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
THE CONSERVATION FUND
$40,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
TRANSFORMER DC
$25,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
MOUNT VERNON
$25,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
CHURCH OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
$25,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
BRAVO WAUKEGAN
$25,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
$25,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
FULTON COUNTY CASA
$20,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
REYNALDA HOUSE
$15,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
CHRIST MEMORIAL CHAPEL
$15,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART
$10,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
PLANNED PARENTHOOD
$10,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
WASHINGTON WINTER SHOW
$10,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
RAVINIA FESTIVAL
$8,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
RAICES
$5,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
$5,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
BISHOP WALKER SCHOOL FOR BOYS
$5,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
WASHINGTON NATIONAL CATHEDRAL
$2,500FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
WGBH
$2,500FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
LOAVES & FISHES
$2,500FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
CHURCH OF ST MARY
$1,000FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
WASHINGTON INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
$3,932,179FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
LAKE FOREST COLLEGE
$687,903FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
PALM BEACH OPERA
$640,970FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE
ALLIANCE FRANCAISE DE CHICAGO
$272,692FOR THE GENERAL, SCIENTIFIC OR EDUCATION PURPOSE