The Elizabeth Hekman Gordon Family Foundation concentrates its giving on a small number of sizable, targeted gifts that reflect both faith-based commitments and community responsiveness. Major support includes a multi-year capital pledge to Calvin University, repeated grants to a local church, and substantial contributions for disaster relief through the American Red Cross. The foundation appears to prioritize institutional strengthening (capital projects) for Christian higher education and parish ministry, while also reserving capacity for broad humanitarian emergency response.
A $500,000 construction pledge to Calvin University is the clearest window into Elizabeth Hekman Gordon Family Foundation’s priorities: the foundation backs Christian higher education with large, targeted commitments, then layers in support for faith communities and emergency relief. The Calvin gift was recorded in 2025 as the first payment of a 2023 pledge for construction, showing a multi-year capital commitment rather than a one-off award. Alongside that, the foundation has made repeated grants to Kenilworth Union Church, including $62,000 in both 2023 and 2025, indicating sustained support for religious institutions. Its portfolio also includes sizable disaster-response funding through the American Red Cross, with awards of $67,000 in 2023 and $100,000 in 2025 for disaster relief. Beyond those anchors, the foundation funds a mix of education, music, horticultural therapy, crisis intervention, and community organizations, including Chicago-area and western Michigan recipients. The pattern suggests a family foundation that combines institutional support with practical help for community needs, while keeping most grants at a modest scale relative to a few larger awards.
Christian education is a central thread. In 2023, the foundation gave $10,000 to Calvin College for education, and in 2025 it added $5,000 to Calvin University for its hockey department. It also granted $25,000 in both 2023 and 2025 to the University of St Andrews American Foundation for education, showing support for higher education beyond one campus. Religious and parish-related support appears as well: Parkview Christian Church received $15,000 in 2023 for religious purposes, and Kenilworth Union Church received $62,000 in both 2023 and 2025 for religious support. Cultural and therapeutic programs are another recurring area, with $15,000 to St Cecilia Music Center in 2023 for musical education and $15,000 in 2025 for general support, plus $15,000 to Chicago Botanic Gardens for horticultural therapy and education.
Typical grants are modest, with a p25 of $2,500, median of $5,000, and p75 of $15,000, even though the foundation occasionally makes much larger awards. The pattern is mixed: some recipients reappear across multiple years, including Kenilworth Union Church, American Red Cross, Calvin University, St Cecilia Music Center, New Leaf Resources, and the University of St Andrews American Foundation. The foundation is a family foundation and does not fund individuals or program-related investments. Its recent grants also show both operating-style support and designated project support, including a construction pledge payment and disaster relief awards.
$853K
$4.7M
$532K
$896K
Most grants fall between $3K and $15K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$3K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$15K
About 24% of grants go to recipients in IL.
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Elizabeth Hekman Gordon Family Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 65 | $2.1M | 97.0% |
| 2 | Bahamas |
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a few recurrent grantees: a large multi-year pledge to a single university, repeat funding to a local church, and sizable one-off grants for disaster relief.
Notable grantees: Calvin University, American Red Cross, Kenilworth Union Church
Grantmaking is concentrated in the Midwest, especially Illinois, which accounts for the largest share of grants. Recipients in Michigan also appear often, including Grand Rapids, East Lansing, and Spring Lake-area ties through the foundation’s home base. Chicago and its suburbs show up repeatedly: Chicago, Kenilworth, Orland Park, Glencoe, Evanston, Glenview, Waukegan, Highland Park, and Northbrook all appear among recipients. Outside the United States, one recent grant went to Ranfurly Homes for Children in Nassau, and the recipient-country distribution includes one grant outside the U.S.
The foundation funds Christian higher education, religious institutions, disaster relief, and selected community and cultural organizations. Recent examples include Calvin University for construction, Kenilworth Union Church for religious support, the American Red Cross for disaster relief, and Chicago Botanic Gardens and St Cecilia Music Center for program support.
Yes. Kenilworth Union Church received $62,000 in both 2023 and 2025. The American Red Cross received disaster-relief grants in 2023 and 2025, and Calvin University appears in 2025 after a 2023 construction pledge. St Cecilia Music Center and the University of St Andrews American Foundation also received grants in multiple years.
The foundation’s grant sizes are usually small to mid-sized: the 25th percentile is $2,500, the median is $5,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. Larger exceptions exist, including a $500,000 payment to Calvin University and $100,000 to the American Red Cross.
Illinois is the top state by grant count. Recipient cities in Illinois include Chicago, Kenilworth, Orland Park, Glencoe, Evanston, Glenview, Waukegan, Highland Park, Northbrook, and Lansing. Michigan recipients also appear frequently, including Grand Rapids and East Lansing.
It has made at least two disaster-relief grants to the American Red Cross: $67,000 in 2023 and $100,000 in 2025. Those awards show that emergency humanitarian aid is part of the foundation’s giving alongside education and faith-based support.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| 2 |
| $5K |
3.0% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALVIN UNIVERSITY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $500,000 | 2026 | 2023 PLEDGE FOR CONSTRUCTION. SECOND PAYMENT OF 3 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $220,000 | 2026 | DISASTER RELIEF |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN | GLENCOE, IL | $40,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS AMERICAN FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $25,000 | 2026 | EDUCATION |
| ST CECILIA MUSIC CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KENILWORTH UNION CHURCH | KENILWORTH, IL | $12,000 | 2026 | RELIGIOUS |
| NEW LEAF RESOURCES | LANSING, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | CRISIS INTERVENTION |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS | ATLANTA, GA | $5,100 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE JOSSELYN CENTER NFP | NORTHBROOK, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION | GLENVIEW, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| BRIGHT PROMISE FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| ART IN ACTION | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO PARKS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2026 | PLAY FOR THE PARKS GOLF INVITATIONAL |
| CHICAGO POLICE FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| LYMPHOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CALVIN UNIVERSITY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $500,000 | 2025 | 2023 PLEDGE FOR CONSTRUCTION. FIRST PAYMENT OF 3 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | DISASTER RELIEF |
| KENILWORTH UNION CHURCH | KENILWORTH, IL | $62,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS AMERICAN FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $25,000 | 2025 | EDUCATION |
| PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH | ORLAND PARK, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | RELIGIOUS |
| ST CECILIA MUSIC CENTER | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NEW LEAF RESOURCES | LANSING, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | CRISIS INTERVENTION |
| BRIGHT PROMISE FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| CALVIN UNIVERSITY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $5,000 | 2025 | HOCKEY DEPARTMENT |
| EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION | GLENVIEW, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WRITERS THEATRE | GLENCOE, IL | $3,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| THE JOSSELYN CENTER NFP | NORTHBROOK, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TETON REGIONAL LAND TRUST INC | DRIGGS, ID | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO POLICE FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MYRTLE HOUSE MINISTRIES | KALAMAZOO, MI | $1,000 | 2025 | CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $65,000 | 2024 | DISASTER RELIEF |
| KENILWORTH UNION CHURCH | KENILWORTH, IL | $62,000 | 2024 | RELIGIOUS |
| UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS AMERICAN FOUNDATION | ATLANTA, GA | $25,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION |
| COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF TETON VALLEY | DRIGGS, ID | $25,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| NEW LEAF RESOURCES | LANSING, IL | $15,000 | 2024 | CRISIS INTERVENTION |
| PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH | ORLAND PARK, IL | $15,000 | 2024 | RELIGIOUS |
| FRIENDS OF PRENTICE | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDENS | GLENCOE, IL | $15,000 | 2024 | HORTICULTURAL THERAPY AND EDUCATION |
| THE GOLDEN APPLE FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| BOTTOM LINE | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | EDUCATION |
| BRIGHT PROMISE FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| ART IN ACTION | REDWOOD CITY, CA | $2,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| BAHAMAS RED CROSS | NASSAU | $2,500 | 2024 | DISASTER RELIEF |
| WRITERS THEATRE | GLENCOE, IL | $2,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| OPPORTUNITIES INTERNATIONAL | CAROL STREAM, IL | $2,500 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| LEUKEMIA LYMPHOMA FOUNDATION | RYE BROOK, NY | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| MYRTLE HOUSE MINISTRIES | KALAMAZOO, MI | $1,000 | 2024 | CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS | WASHINGTON, DC | $67,000 | 2023 | DISASTER RELIEF |
| KENILWORTH UNION CHURCH | KENILWORTH, IL | $62,000 | 2023 | RELIGIOUS |
| FRIENDS OF PRENTICE | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2023 | CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT |
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN
$40,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST CECILIA MUSIC CENTER
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
KENILWORTH UNION CHURCH
RELIGIOUS
NEW LEAF RESOURCES
$10,000CRISIS INTERVENTION
EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
BRIGHT PROMISE FUND
$5,000CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
KENILWORTH UNION CHURCH
$62,000RELIGIOUS
PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH
$15,000RELIGIOUS
ST CECILIA MUSIC CENTER
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
NEW LEAF RESOURCES
$10,000CRISIS INTERVENTION
BRIGHT PROMISE FUND
$5,000CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WRITERS THEATRE
$3,000CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
MYRTLE HOUSE MINISTRIES
$1,000CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
KENILWORTH UNION CHURCH
$62,000RELIGIOUS
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF TETON VALLEY
$25,000CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
NEW LEAF RESOURCES
$15,000CRISIS INTERVENTION
PARKVIEW CHRISTIAN CHURCH
$15,000RELIGIOUS
FRIENDS OF PRENTICE
$15,000CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
THE GOLDEN APPLE FOUNDATION
$5,000CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
BOTTOM LINE
$5,000EDUCATION
BRIGHT PROMISE FUND
$5,000CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
BAHAMAS RED CROSS
$2,500DISASTER RELIEF
WRITERS THEATRE
$2,500CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
OPPORTUNITIES INTERNATIONAL
$2,500CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
LEUKEMIA LYMPHOMA FOUNDATION
$1,000CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
MYRTLE HOUSE MINISTRIES
$1,000CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT
KENILWORTH UNION CHURCH
$62,000RELIGIOUS
FRIENDS OF PRENTICE
$30,000CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION SUPPORT