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.
$1.5M
$2.5M
$262K
$963K
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.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOSAIC | ROCKFORD, IL | $110,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| MIDWAY VILLAGE AND MUSEUM CENTER | ROCKFORD, IL | $110,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| MIDWAY VILLAGE AND MUSEUM CENTER | ROCKFORD, IL | $110,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| YMCA OF ROCK RIVER VALLEY | ROCKFORD, IL | $105,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT | ROCKFORD, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | LOVES PARK, IL | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | LOVES PARK, IL | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | CHICAGO, IL | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| YESHUA CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE | DURAND, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF MEDICINE | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| GOLDEN APPLE FOUNDATION OF ROCKFORD | ROCKFORD, IL | $16,500 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| GOLDEN APPLE FOUNDATION OF ROCKFORD | ROCKFORD, IL | $16,500 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| DISCOVERY CENTER MUSEUM OF ROCKFORD INC | ROCKFORD, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY | ROCKFORD, IL | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF ILLINOIS | DES PLAINES, IL | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ROCKFORD RESCUE MISSION MINISTRIES | ROCKFORD, IL | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| REGIONAL ACCESS MOBILIZATION PROJECT INC | ROCKFORD, IL | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| SWEDISHAMERICAN FOUNDATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ROCK RIVER VALLEY PANTRY | ROCKFORD, IL | $12,500 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CARPENTERS PLACE | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,500 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FAMILY PEACE CENTER | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ROSECRANCE FOUNDATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ROCKFORD RESCUE MISSION MINISTRIES | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| KFACT | Rockford, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| SWEDISHAMERICAN FOUNDATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CARPENTERS PLACE | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ROCK VALLEY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ZION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF HARRISON COUNTY INCORPORATED | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FAMILY PEACE CENTER | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| SALVATION ARMY | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF HARRISON COUNTY INCORPORATED | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ZION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| AUGUSTANA COLLEGE | ROCK ISLAND, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| STATELINE YOUTH FOR CHRIST | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ROCK VALLEY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF ILLINOIS | DES PLAINES, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| YOUTH FOR CHRIST USA INC AKA STATELINE YOUTH FOR CHRIST | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| SOUNDS OF GOOD NEWS INC | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| WESLEY WILLOWS A METHODIST RETIREMENT HO | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ROSECRANCE FOUNDATION | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| SALVATION ARMY | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ROCKFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ROCKFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| AUGUSTANA COLLEGE | ROCK ISLAND, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| KFACT | Rockford, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MOSAIC | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| SOUNDS OF GOOD NEWS INC | ROCKFORD, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
MOSAIC
$110,000GENERAL
MIDWAY VILLAGE AND MUSEUM CENTER
$110,000GENERAL
MIDWAY VILLAGE AND MUSEUM CENTER
$110,000GENERAL
ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT
$60,000GENERAL
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$40,000GENERAL
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$40,000GENERAL
THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
$40,000GENERAL
YESHUA CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
$25,000GENERAL
THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
$20,000GENERAL
GOLDEN APPLE FOUNDATION OF ROCKFORD
$16,500GENERAL
GOLDEN APPLE FOUNDATION OF ROCKFORD
$16,500GENERAL
DISCOVERY CENTER MUSEUM OF ROCKFORD INC
$15,000GENERAL
ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY
$12,500GENERAL
REGIONAL ACCESS MOBILIZATION PROJECT INC
$12,500GENERAL
SWEDISHAMERICAN FOUNDATION
$12,500GENERAL
ROCK RIVER VALLEY PANTRY
$12,500GENERAL
FAMILY PEACE CENTER
$10,000GENERAL
KFACT
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
SWEDISHAMERICAN FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL
ZION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$10,000GENERAL
ROCKFORD PARK DISTRICT
$10,000GENERAL
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF HARRISON COUNTY INCORPORATED
$10,000GENERAL
SALVATION ARMY
$10,000GENERAL
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF HARRISON COUNTY INCORPORATED
$10,000GENERAL
ZION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$10,000GENERAL
STATELINE YOUTH FOR CHRIST
$10,000GENERAL
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF ILLINOIS
$10,000GENERAL
YOUTH FOR CHRIST USA INC AKA STATELINE YOUTH FOR CHRIST
$10,000GENERAL
SOUNDS OF GOOD NEWS INC
$10,000GENERAL
WESLEY WILLOWS A METHODIST RETIREMENT HO
$10,000GENERAL
SALVATION ARMY
$10,000GENERAL
ROCKFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$10,000GENERAL
ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY
$10,000GENERAL
ROCKFORD SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$10,000GENERAL
KFACT
$10,000GENERAL SUPPORT
MOSAIC
$10,000GENERAL
SOUNDS OF GOOD NEWS INC
$10,000GENERAL