Funding search · EIN 470732237 · Lincoln, NE

Fulk Family Foundation

Name: Fulk Family Foundation grants, 2021–2024
Creator: PaperOrbit
License: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/exempt-organization-public-disclosure-and-availability-requirements

A private foundation (files IRS Form 990-PF). Most private foundations do not take unsolicited applications; the route in is usually a program officer.

570
grants reported: $155.8M
total given: 2021–2024
filing years: $75,000
median grant

Based on grants this organization reported to the IRS for tax years 2021–2024. This is what they filed, not a complete record of their giving, and recent years may be incomplete because filings lag.

What they fund

chicago dated agreement endowment college youth center purchase

Funder website ↗Full IRS filings ↗How this is built Report an error

Funding pattern

What this funder pays for, at what size, and how to position adjacent work. Read from their filings, with every number checked against the record.

Where the money goes

College access and scholarship programs for underserved Chicago-area students
Capital projects and building renovations for schools, clubs, health centers
Community foundation funds and endowments in Nebraska and Indiana
Food security, urban farms, and nutrition equity programs
Arts, museums, theater, and local historical preservation
Veterans services, especially dental and housing programs in Nebraska

Typical grant

Median grant is $75,000, with the middle half between $25,000 and $300,000. The million-dollar checks go to capital campaigns, endowments, and multiyear operating commitments at anchor institutions like Hope Chicago, Bishop Noll Institute, Adler Planetarium, and CenterPointe. Repeat giving is heavy: Bishop Noll, College of Lake County, Nebraska Community Foundation, Montgomery County Community Foundation, and Lincoln Community Playhouse each appear multiple times in a single year, often splitting one relationship across several purpose-specific grants.

Their words

Phrases from their own grant descriptions, worth speaking back to them.

“GENERAL PURPOSE”
“UNDER AGREEMENT DATED”
“ENDOWMENT FUND”
“HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES”
“CHALLENGE GRANT”

Positioning adjacent work

Tie work to nutrition equity, food justice, or urban farming; they funded Cornell, Lurie, and College of Lake County there.
Ask $50,000 to $250,000 for a defined project unless you have an existing relationship and a capital campaign.
Name a specific fund, building, program, or project rather than requesting unrestricted research support.
Emphasize Illinois, northwest Indiana, or Lincoln, Nebraska beneficiaries; out-of-region grants are rare and usually smaller.

Worth knowing: Nearly all money lands in three places: Chicago and Lake County Illinois, northwest Indiana, and Lincoln Nebraska, and a small set of repeat grantees absorbs most of the large dollars. The pattern reads as relationship-driven, with grants written as gift agreements on specific dates rather than responses to open solicitation; they even paid Northwestern's Kellogg School to study the impact of their own gifts.

7 grants matching “planetarium” · $3.3M

$1.0M
Adler Planetarium · Chicago, IL · 2024
Digital infrastructure improvements
$50,000
Adler Planetarium · Chicago, IL · 2024
General support
$50,000
Adler Planetarium · Chicago, IL · 2023
General Support
$2.0M
Adler Planetarium · Chicago, IL · 2022
To rehouse, preserve and protect items in the adler's collections.
$50,000
Adler Planetarium · Chicago, IL · 2022
General support
$60,000
Adler Planetarium · Chicago, IL · 2021
Digitization - audio visual materials
$50,000
Adler Planetarium · Chicago, IL · 2021
General support

Top recipients

Repeat recipients are the strongest signal of whether a funder has an open door or quietly re-funds the same organizations.

University of Chicago7 grants · $9.8M
City of Chicago9 grants · $8.3M
Nebraska Community Foundation12 grants · $6.2M
Tabitha4 grants · $5.4M
University of Nebraska Foundation10 grants · $5.3M
Waukegan Park District2 grants · $4.9M
Hope Chicago3 grants · $4.1M
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana8 grants · $3.5M
St Catherine Hospital5 grants · $3.3M
Adler Planetarium6 grants · $3.2M

Giving over time

$65.3M

2021

$42.7M

2022

$24.4M

2023

$23.5M

2024

Grant history

The 100 largest of 570 grants.

$5.0M
Tabitha · Lincoln, NE · 2021
Building campaign
$4.8M
Waukegan Park District · Waukegan, IL · 2021
Library renovation
$2.8M
University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2021
Tmw center
$2.5M
University of Nebraska Foundation · Lincoln, NE · 2022
University of nebraska medical center under agreement "experiential learning virtual reality team expansion fund #01145010" to be used and administered under paragraph 4 of that agreement
$2.5M
Lyric Opera of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2021
Millennium park concert
$2.3M
American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities · Memphis, TN · 2023
St. Jude graduate school of biomedical sciences master's in applied biomedical sciences program
$2.2M
Erikson Institute · Chicago, IL · 2021
Education programs
$2.0M
Adler Planetarium · Chicago, IL · 2022
To rehouse, preserve and protect items in the adler's collections.
$2.0M
Hope Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2022
To provide its scholarship program at al raby school for community and environment for its graduates and parents for an approximate three-year period
$2.0M
Northwestern Memorial Healthcare-Northwestern Memo · Chicago, IL · 2022
To support immuno-oncology research at northwestern lake forest hospital and northwestern memorial hospital
$2.0M
University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2022
Hiring a full-time social worker and establishing a corresponding patient assistance fund for uchicago medicine's genitourinary cancer patients, with an emphasis on prostate cancer patients, at the university of chicago… read allHiring a full-time social worker and establishing a corresponding patient assistance fund for uchicago medicine's genitourinary cancer patients, with an emphasis on prostate cancer patients, at the university of chicago medicine less
$2.0M
Nebraska Community Foundation · Lincoln, NE · 2021
Youth fund
$2.0M
Preservation Foundation of the Lakecounty Forest P · Libertyville, IL · 2021
Education center
$2.0M
University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2021
Endowment fund
$1.6M
City of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2021
Chicago cultural ctr
$1.5M
City Colleges of Chicago Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2022
To fund phase iii of city colleges of chicago's student technology equity program
$1.5M
Nebraska Community Foundation · Lincoln, NE · 2022
Fund for children and youth
$1.5M
St Catherine Hospital · Munster, IN · 2021
Cyberknife s7
$1.4M
University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2022
University of chicago illinois tmw center for early learning and public health to focus on harnessing advances in artificial intelligence and big data to develop tools and interventions that can be used by individuals t… read allUniversity of chicago illinois tmw center for early learning and public health to focus on harnessing advances in artificial intelligence and big data to develop tools and interventions that can be used by individuals to help develop brain growth less
$1.4M
Cornell University · Ithaca, NY · 2024
Fund for nutrition equity and food justice
$1.2M
City of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2021
Chicago cultural ctr
$1.2M
Nebraska Community Foundation · Lincoln, NE · 2024
PURSUANT TO THE AGREEMENT DATED DECEMBER 13, 2024 for "Homegrown Challenge Grant Campaigns the "Five to Thrive" program
$1.2M
City of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2021
Chicago cultural ctr
$1.1M
Hope Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2024
For general operating support for a college scholarship program and wraparound support resources for graduates of five chicago public high schools located in historically underserved communities on the south and west si… read allFor general operating support for a college scholarship program and wraparound support resources for graduates of five chicago public high schools located in historically underserved communities on the south and west sides less
$1.1M
Bishop Noll Institute · Hammond, IN · 2024
Phase ii of the fielding our future campaign for the renovation of bishop noll institute's outdoor athletic facilities
$1.1M
City of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2021
Chicago cultural ctr
$1.0M
City of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2021
Chicago cultural ctr
$1.0M
Adler Planetarium · Chicago, IL · 2024
Digital infrastructure improvements
$1.0M
Bandwith Music Ltd · Chicago, IL · 2024
As a capital grant to assist donee in constructing, developing and operating donee's future community performing arts center in chicago, illinois
$1.0M
Carole Robertson Center for Learning · Chicago, IL · 2024
Invest today empower tomorrow campaign
$1.0M
Centerpointe · Lincoln, NE · 2024
To be used under the terms of the gift agreement dated november 25, 2024 between fulk family foundation, inc. And centerpointe, inc. To acquire, renovate and furnish two buildings
$1.0M
Chicago State Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2024
To be used as follows per chicago state foundation's august 21, 2024 proposal: 1. $900,000 to the classroom improvements project; and 2. $100,000 to the cougars futures fund
$1.0M
Cleveland Avenue Foundation for Education Group · Chicago, IL · 2024
General purpose
$1.0M
College of Lake County Foundation · Grayslake, IL · 2024
Under agreement dated 4/28/21 to build an urban farm at the lakeshore campus
$1.0M
Kids First Chicago for Education · Chicago, IL · 2024
General purpose
$1.0M
Waukegan To College Nfp · Waukegan, IL · 2024
To help fund operations over the next five years
$1.0M
Grant Park Orchestral Association · Chicago, IL · 2023
To be added to Grant Park Orchestral Association's endowment fund, created by the Agreement date February 26, 2018 between Fulk Family Foundation, Inc. and Grant Park Orchestral Association and to be made subject to the… read allTo be added to Grant Park Orchestral Association's endowment fund, created by the Agreement date February 26, 2018 between Fulk Family Foundation, Inc. and Grant Park Orchestral Association and to be made subject to the terms of that agreement. less
$1.0M
Ivy Tech Foundation · Indianapolis, IN · 2023
Renovation of the lab, classroom and tool room of IVY Tech's Machine Tool Program at the East Chicago Indiana campus
$1.0M
Montgomery County Community Foundation · Crawfordsville, IN · 2023
the construction, furnishings and operational support of the Montgomery County Early Learning Center
$1.0M
Preservation Foundation of the Lakecounty Forest Preserves · Libertyville, IL · 2023
to establish an endowment fund for stewardship at the Green Belt Forest Preserve per our Agreement dated February 26, 2024
$1.0M
Southern Illinois University Foundation · Carbondale, IL · 2023
the Saluki Step-Ahead program
$1.0M
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana · Portage, IN · 2022
Capital campaign for construction of the valparaiso, indiana boys & girls club
$1.0M
The Joffrey Ballet · Chicago, IL · 2022
The health and wellness center including: new physical therapy equipment, private message room, new private exam room for physicians and therapists, expanded exercise space, dedicated yoga and stretching areas and profe… read allThe health and wellness center including: new physical therapy equipment, private message room, new private exam room for physicians and therapists, expanded exercise space, dedicated yoga and stretching areas and professional grade ice bath less
$1.0M
A Better Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2021
General support
$1.0M
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana · Portage, IN · 2021
Capital campaign
$1.0M
Chicago Public Education Fund · Chicago, IL · 2021
General support
$1.0M
College of Lake County Foundation · Grayslake, IL · 2021
Urban ag facility
$1.0M
Community Consolidated School District 21 · Wheeling, IL · 2021
Health clinic
$1.0M
Digestive Health Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2021
Program support
$1.0M
Grant Park Orchestral Association · Chicago, IL · 2021
Endowment fund
$1.0M
Hope Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2021
Hope chicago program
$1.0M
Kids First Chicago for Education · Chicago, IL · 2021
General support
$1.0M
Southern Illinois University Foundation · Carbondale, IL · 2021
Scholarship fund
$1.0M
University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2021
Endowment fund
$1.0M
University of Illinois Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2021
Iwerc fund
$950,000
Latino Policy Forum · Chicago, IL · 2023
to expand its development department to increase fundraising and to increase the forum's financial reserves to an amount equal to cover expenses for six months
$900,000
University of Nebraska Foundation · Lincoln, NE · 2022
University of nebraska medical center under agreement "experiential learning virtual reality team expansion fund #01145010" to be used and administered under paragraph 4 of that agreement
$900,000
Michael Reese Health Trust · Chicago, IL · 2021
General support
$800,000
The Joffrey Ballet · Chicago, IL · 2023
for the replacement of seven studio floors in the Joffrey Ballet's locations at the Joffrey Tower and South Loop
$750,000
Bard College · Annandaleonhudson, NY · 2022
For an expendable fund to be used to support the bpi women's college partnership at indiana women's prison for a three-year period commencing in 2022.
$750,000
St Catherine Hospital · East Chicago, IN · 2022
$700,000 for the expansion and renovation of the women's diagnostic center and purchase a selenia dimensions 3tm tomosynthesis mammography system $50,000 for the renovation of the healthcare workers breakroom and restro… read all$700,000 for the expansion and renovation of the women's diagnostic center and purchase a selenia dimensions 3tm tomosynthesis mammography system $50,000 for the renovation of the healthcare workers breakroom and restroom in the intermediate care unit less
$750,000
Bard College · Annandaleonhudson, NY · 2021
Bpi women's college
$743,589
Wabash College · Crawfordsville, IN · 2022
To establish an endowment for the wabash liberal art immersion program at wabash college
$700,000
American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities · Memphis, TN · 2023
St. Jude graduate school of biomedical sciences master's in applied biomedical sciences program
$655,000
University of Nebraska Foundation · Lincoln, NE · 2021
Unmc fund
$653,602
City of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2021
Chicago cultural ctr
$650,000
Centerpointe · Lincoln, NE · 2024
To be used under the terms of the declaration of designated endowment fund of centerpointe, inc. Dated november 25, 2024. As an endowment fund for the long-term upkeep of all buildings used by centerpointe
$610,000
Open Books Ltd · Chicago, IL · 2022
$485,000 to purchase and outfit an "open booksmobile$125,000 allocated to purchase books for the "open booksmobile"
$602,500
Montgomery County Community Foundation · Crawfordsville, IN · 2021
General support
$590,085
City of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2021
Chicago cultural ctr
$575,000
Hospice of the Calumet Area · Munster, IN · 2022
Capital improvements at hospice of the calumet area's william j. Riley memorial residence located in munster, in
$550,000
College of Lake County Foundation · Grayslake, IL · 2023
Scholarships and equipment for the fire safety training program
$533,571
City of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2021
Chicago cultural ctr
$500,000
Bishop Noll Institute · Hammond, IN · 2024
Fielding the future campaign
$500,000
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana · Portage, IN · 2024
For an endowment fund for the south haven boys & girls club located at 723 long run road in valparaiso indiana in accordance with our agreement dated april 14, 2025
$500,000
Boys & Girls Club of Greater Northwest Indiana · Portage, IN · 2024
For the renovation of the south haven indiana boys & girls club
$500,000
Facing History and Ourselves Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2024
General purpose
$500,000
Bishop Noll Institute · Hammond, IN · 2023
Fielding Our Future
$500,000
Civic News Company · New York, NY · 2023
General Support
$500,000
Equal Justice Initiative · Montgomery, AL · 2023
General operations to support EJI's work to end mass incarceration, excessive punishment and racial equality
$500,000
Ignite Org · Chicago, IL · 2023
General Support
$500,000
Lincoln Park Village · Chicago, IL · 2023
The Health and Well Being Program and the Brain Health and Memory Loss Program
$500,000
Loyola University of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2023
Continuing scholars, Arrupe College
$500,000
Night Ministry · Chicago, IL · 2023
General Support
$500,000
Noble Network of Character Schools · Chicago, IL · 2023
for school and web-based support and additional education and training around social emotional learning
$500,000
Noble Network of Character Schools · Chicago, IL · 2023
To increase mental health and social emotional learning programs and resources in Noble's Charter schools
$500,000
Northwestern University · Evanston, IL · 2023
The early childhood research alliance of chicago
$500,000
Open Books Ltd · Chicago, IL · 2023
to expand Dolly Parton's imagination library in Chicago
$500,000
American National Red Cross · Chicago, IL · 2022
General support
$500,000
Brady Center To Prevent Gun Violence · Washington, DC · 2022
Extreme risk educational campaign in illinois
$500,000
Braven Incorporated · Chicago, IL · 2022
Creation and launch of the braven online program at northern illinois university
$500,000
Chicago Coalition for the Homeless · Chicago, IL · 2022
To raise the annual award amount from $3,500 to $4,000 for scholarship winners and to increase the number of scholarships awarded from five to six scholarships for first year students
$500,000
Chicago Horticultural Society - Chicago Botanic Ga · Glencoe, IL · 2022
Sena program
$500,000
Chicago Opera Theater · Chicago, IL · 2022
General support
$500,000
Chicago Symphony Orchestra · Chicago, IL · 2022
General support
$500,000
Covenant House Illinois · Chicago, IL · 2022
Capital campaign for completion of the redevelopment and renovation of the new campus on chicago's near west side
$500,000
Digestive Health Foundation · Chicago, IL · 2022
For the northwestern-dhf mcat development program
$500,000
Facing History and Ourselves · Boston, MA · 2022
General support
$500,000
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History · New York, NY · 2022
Annual abraham lincoln symposium for teachers in grades k through 12 at abraham lincoln library in springfield, illinois
$500,000
Lyric Opera of Chicago · Chicago, IL · 2022
General support

View all 570 grants →

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Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part XV, as filed by the foundation. These are grants already paid — a record of what this funder backs, not an open call.