Bernadine Tosetti Hines Foundation Incorporated
The organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting various community initiatives, primarily through funding operating expenses for local organizations. Its mission appears to focus on enhancing community services, addressing food insecurity, and supporting educational and veteran-related causes. The foundation provides grants to a diverse range of recipients, including schools, food pantries, and community service clubs, indicating a commitment to improving local resources and services. While it primarily supports organizations in Illinois, it also extends its funding to groups in other states.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small, local Illinois community organization (schools, food pantry, library, volunteer ambulance, veterans group, or service club) seeking operating support and connected to the Nokomis-area network.
Good Fit
- • Organization is based in Illinois (priority to Nokomis/in‑county groups).
- • Request is for general operating support or a modest program budget ($500–$10,000 typical; occasional larger award seen).
- • Established local reputation or an introduction/nomination from community leaders.
- • Alignment with community service, education, faith-based initiatives, food security, or veterans support.
Geography
Giving is heavily concentrated in Illinois (about 82% of dollars in the latest year) though small out‑of‑state gifts appear; the footprint is effectively local with limited out‑of‑state activity.
Recipient Variety
In the latest year the foundation funded 18 distinct recipients across schools, service clubs, food pantries, emergency services and veterans groups, and there is measurable turnover (eight new recipients in 2024), indicating a broad recipient set for a micro-foundation.
New Applicants
Direct evidence shows new recipients were funded (8 new grantees in 2024 and 4 in 2023), but the foundation states it considers only preselected applicants and there is no public application portal, so unfamiliar organizations face barriers even though occasional new entrants do appear.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
