Edward And Rose Donnell Foundation
This organization is a private foundation dedicated to supporting a variety of charitable causes. Its mission emphasizes contributions to environmental conservation, food security, human services, and the arts, reflecting a commitment to addressing pressing social issues and enhancing community well-being. The foundation provides unrestricted funding to numerous organizations, including those focused on mental health, education, and homelessness. It primarily serves a diverse range of nonprofit sectors, with notable support for environmental groups and food banks. While its funding is concentrated in certain regions, it engages with organizations across multiple states.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Small-to-mid nonprofits with programs in areas the foundation has funded (conservation, food security, arts, human services, education) and the ability to justify modest general operating or project support in the $500–$25,000 range.
Good Fit
- • Program work aligns with previously funded sectors such as conservation, food banks, arts, education, or human services.
- • Organizational presence or partnership in Illinois or one of the roughly 12 other states funded.
- • Need for modest, often unrestricted grants rather than large multi-year operating budgets.
- • Existing relationships, nominations, or referrals from current grantees, local partners, or board contacts.
Geography
Observed giving spans 13 states and is not strictly local; while Illinois receives the largest share (about 44%), more than half of dollars went out of state in the latest year.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 59 distinct recipients with a large number of new grantees (36), and grants cover a range of nonprofit types and sectors, indicating broad recipient variety for the foundation's size.
New Applicants
Although many new recipients appeared in the observed years, the foundation explicitly states it only funds preselected organizations, and there is no public application route—so unfamiliar applicants are unlikely to gain entry without a nomination or relationship.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
