Russell And Betty Shirk Foundation
Official website for the Shirk Family Foundation (established by Russell and Betty Shirk), a private family foundation based in Bloomington/McLean County, IL. The site states the foundation’s mission to support arts, education, athletics, leadership and spiritual growth and describes recent grantees. It provides an online grant application process, required application materials, contact email, mailing address, and a board list.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A nonprofit based in McLean County or elsewhere in Illinois focusing on youth development, arts, education, athletics, community programming, or local capital projects, with capacity to complete the foundation's online application and meet stated deadlines.
Good Fit
- • Located in McLean County or elsewhere in Illinois with clear local impact.
- • Programs in arts, education, youth development, athletics, or community centers.
- • Ability to submit required materials via the online application and meet the May/October deadlines.
- • Projects that match capital or endowment-style support (e.g., community facility projects) or well-scoped program grants.
- • Demonstrated community reach or partnerships that resonate with the foundation’s mission.
Geography
Giving is strongly geographically concentrated: roughly 98% of dollars were awarded to Illinois organizations and most activity is centered on Bloomington/McLean County, with only a few small out-of-state grants.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 21 distinct recipients and the foundation made similar counts in prior years; while dollar amounts are concentrated into a few large grants, the foundation funds many independent local organizations across arts, education, and youth programs.
New Applicants
A public online application, explicit deadlines, a named grant contact, and evidence that about half of 2024 recipients were new indicate that unfamiliar applicants who fit the foundation’s local mission can plausibly enter the portfolio.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
