The Bergstrom Inc Charitable Foundation concentrates its giving on local community institutions in the Chicago/Rock River Valley region, providing multi‑hundred‑thousand dollar, general‑support grants to cultural and community service organizations. Their funding emphasizes sustaining a regional history museum, core community providers like the YMCA, and an organization classified in international/foreign affairs (Mosaic), suggesting an interest in both local civic life and internationally oriented community services. Grants are targeted and substantial rather than widely distributed, aimed at organizational stability and program continuity.
Concentrated, high-dollar general support to a small number of local grantees (4 grants totaling $435k), including repeat funding to at least one core cultural institution; emphasis on sustaining established organizations rather than many small, project-specific awards.
Bergstrom Inc Charitable Foundation Xxxxx2008 makes repeated general-support grants to a compact set of Rockford-area institutions, with Midway Village and Museum Center, Mosaic, and the YMCA of Rock River Valley among the most visible recipients in the recent record. The pattern points to a funder that backs core civic infrastructure rather than one-time projects. Its grants support a regional history museum, a community service organization classified in international/foreign affairs, and a large local youth and recreation provider, showing a mix of cultural preservation and community services. The foundation’s recent awards also reach other Rockford institutions tied to education, housing, food assistance, and local public life. Habitat for Humanity, the Rockford Park District, and Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford appear in the grant list alongside colleges, museums, and social-service organizations. Grants are typically labeled general, and several recipients appear more than once across the file, which suggests ongoing support relationships rather than isolated awards. The overall picture is of a locally focused funder that concentrates resources in northern Illinois organizations with established community roles.
A clear theme in the foundation’s recent giving is cultural and historical preservation. It gave $110,000 to Midway Village and Museum Center for general support, reflecting sustained backing for a regional history institution in Rockford. Another area is youth development and community recreation: YMCA of Rock River Valley received $105,000 for general support, and the Rockford Park District received $60,000. Education also appears in the grant record. The foundation awarded $55,000 to Rock Valley College Foundation, $50,000 to Augustana College, and $40,000 to The University of Illinois College of Medicine, each as general support. Community stability is another recurring thread, with Habitat for Humanity receiving multiple grants and Rock River Valley Pantry and Rockford Rescue Mission Ministries also appearing among recent recipients. These awards show support for institutions that provide housing, food, and broader public services.
$963K
$2.1M
$603K
$1M
Most grants fall between $3K and $10K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Notable grantees: Midway Village and Museum Center, Mosaic, YMCA of Rock River Valley
The typical grant size is modest relative to the foundation’s annual giving: p25 is $2,500, median is $5,000, and p75 is $10,000. The recent record also includes a smaller set of much larger general-support grants, indicating a two-tier pattern of routine awards alongside sizable anchor grants. Recipients reappear across years and, in several cases, multiple times within the file, which points to recurring support rather than isolated one-off gifts. The foundation is a charitable foundation and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
Giving is highly concentrated in Illinois, with 95% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and the top giving state also Illinois. Rockford is the main recipient city, with additional grants landing in Loves Park, Chicago, Rock Island, Durand, and Des Plaines. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 312 grants to U.S. organizations. That pattern matches a local scope of giving centered on the Rockford area and nearby Illinois institutions.
The recent record centers on nonprofit organizations receiving general support, including museums, YMCA and park district programs, colleges, housing organizations, food assistance groups, and community service providers. The foundation also has grants tagged for music and performing arts event sponsorship and fundraising or charitable campaigns.
Its typical grant size is $2,500 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $10,000 at the 75th percentile. The file also includes larger general-support awards, such as $110,000 and $105,000 grants in 2025.
Grantmaking is concentrated in Illinois. The top state by grant count is IL, and 95% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent recipient cities include Rockford, Loves Park, Chicago, Rock Island, Durand, and Des Plaines.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
The file shows recurring support relationships. Several organizations appear more than once, including Midway Village and Museum Center, Habitat for Humanity, The University of Illinois College of Medicine, Golden Apple Foundation of Rockford, and Yeshua Catholic International Leadership Institute.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIDWAY VILLAGE AND MUSEUM CENTER | ROCKFORD, IL | $210,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| MOSAIC | ROCKFORD, IL | $110,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| YMCA OF ROCK RIVER VALLEY | ROCKFORD, IL | $105,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | LOVES PARK, IL | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT | ROCKFORD, IL | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| SALVATION ARMY | ROCKFORD, IL | $22,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| GOLDEN APPLE FOUNDATION OF ROCKFORD | ROCKFORD, IL | $16,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| BRAVEHEARTS THERAPEUTIC RIDING | HARVARD, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS | ROCKFORD, IL | $13,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CARPENTERS PLACE | ROCKFORD, IL | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF ILLINOIS | DES PLAINES, IL | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| SWEDISHAMERICAN FOUNDATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ROSECRANCE FOUNDATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY | ROCKFORD, IL | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| FAMILY PEACE CENTER | ROCKFORD, IL | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| AUGUSTANA COLLEGE | ROCK ISLAND, IL | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ROCKFORD RESCUE MISSION MINISTRIES | ROCKFORD, IL | $12,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF HARRISON COUNTY INCORPORATED | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ROCKFORD AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | Rockford, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| SOUNDS OF GOOD NEWS INC | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ROCKFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| KFACT | Rockford, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR SIGHT AND HEARING | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ZION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| STATELINE YOUTH FOR CHRIST | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| KIDS AROUND THE WORLD INC | ROCKFORD, IL | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CRUSADERS HEALTH FOUNDATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| WINNEBAGO COUNTY CASA | ROCKFORD, IL | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| REGIONAL ACCESS MOBILIZATION PROJECT INC | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| FRIENDS OF THE CORONADO | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| Rockford Alliance Against Sexual Expoita | Rockford, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE INC | HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ILLINOIS GROWTH ENTERPRISES | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| NORTHERN ILLINOIS HOSPICE ASSOCIATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS INC | Rockford, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| LAURENT FOUNDATION INC | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ROY GAYLE PONY BASEBALL-SOFTBALL INC | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| DISCOVERY CENTER MUSEUM OF ROCKFORD INC | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ROCK VALLEY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC | ATLANTA, GA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| PATRIOTS GATEWAY COMMUNITY CENTER | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| KLEHM ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN INC | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| GOLDIE FLOBERG CENTER FOR CHILDREN | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| BARBARA OLSON CENTER OF HOPE | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| MILESTONE INC | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ALIGNMENT ROCKFORD | ROCKFORD, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| Nikolas Ritschel Foundation | Rockford, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ROCKFORD ART MUSEUM | Rockford, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
MIDWAY VILLAGE AND MUSEUM CENTER
$210,000GENERAL
MOSAIC
$110,000GENERAL
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$40,000GENERAL
SALVATION ARMY
$22,500GENERAL
GOLDEN APPLE FOUNDATION OF ROCKFORD
$16,500GENERAL
BRAVEHEARTS THERAPEUTIC RIDING
$15,000GENERAL
SWEDISHAMERICAN FOUNDATION
$12,500GENERAL
ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY
$12,500GENERAL
ROCKFORD AREA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL
SOUNDS OF GOOD NEWS INC
$10,000GENERAL
ROCKFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$10,000GENERAL
KFACT
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CENTER FOR SIGHT AND HEARING
$10,000GENERAL
ZION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$10,000GENERAL
STATELINE YOUTH FOR CHRIST
$10,000GENERAL
CRUSADERS HEALTH FOUNDATION
$7,500GENERAL
REGIONAL ACCESS MOBILIZATION PROJECT INC
$5,000GENERAL
FRIENDS OF THE CORONADO
$5,000GENERAL
Rockford Alliance Against Sexual Expoita
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE INC
$5,000GENERAL
THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
$5,000GENERAL
ILLINOIS GROWTH ENTERPRISES
$5,000GENERAL
NORTHERN ILLINOIS HOSPICE ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF NORTHERN ILLINOIS INC
$5,000GENERAL
LAURENT FOUNDATION INC
$5,000GENERAL
ROY GAYLE PONY BASEBALL-SOFTBALL INC
$5,000GENERAL
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC
$5,000GENERAL
PATRIOTS GATEWAY COMMUNITY CENTER
$5,000GENERAL
KLEHM ARBORETUM AND BOTANICAL GARDEN INC
$5,000GENERAL
GOLDIE FLOBERG CENTER FOR CHILDREN
$5,000GENERAL
BARBARA OLSON CENTER OF HOPE
$5,000GENERAL
MILESTONE INC
$5,000GENERAL
ALIGNMENT ROCKFORD
$5,000GENERAL
Nikolas Ritschel Foundation
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ROCKFORD ART MUSEUM
$5,000GENERAL