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Little Orchard Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

Little Orchard Foundation

Its FY2024 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$2.9M
Granted FY2024still arriving
72
Grants FY2024still arriving
17
States reached
$500k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02Its granteesRead
03Its fieldRead
04Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
0194% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2021 to 2024.

Animals$1.8MEnvironment$537kRecreation & Sports$501kArts & Culture$472kEducation$215kPublic Benefit$51kHuman Services$33kHealth$28kOther$0
02FY2024 · 72 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

How this is measured
The 72 grants below total $2,741,033, the rows itemized in this filing. The $2,867,133 headline is the total grant expense on the return; the other $126,100 is giving the schedule does not break out (grants under the $5,000 itemization floor, grants to individuals, grants on other schedules). Every figure below describes the itemized rows only.

By grant size · FY2024

  • Under $10k32 grants · $28k
  • $10k–50k23 grants · $463k
  • $50k–250k14 grants · $1.3M
  • $250k+3 grants · $1.0M
$10,000
Median grant
17
States reached
$19M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
Ducks Unlimited Inc$500,000
Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation$250,000
Ruffed Grouse Society$250,000
Ruffed Grouse Society$200,000
Friends of Lake Forest Parks and Recreation$125,000
Ruffed Grouse Society$125,000
National Association of Conservation Districts Inc$100,000
Ruffed Grouse Society$100,000
National Association of Conservation Districts Inc$100,000
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership$75,000
American Rivers Inc.$75,000
New Mexico Wilderness Alliance (New Mexico Wild)$75,000
The Field Museum$75,000
The Field Museum$50,000
Aldo Leopold Foundation Inc$50,000
02Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

Organizations funded in more than one year, against those funded once.

64%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$2.4M · 31 repeat orgs$1.3M to everyone else

31 repeat relationships: 31 still active in FY2024, 0 since wound down; 27 grantees were first funded in FY2024 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

31
18

Total granted

$2.4M
$208k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+13%
+30%

Still filing today

74%
33%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2024, 59% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $1.1M went to new ones.

50%100%’23’24
RenewedFirst-time

Where new relationships form · theme of each grantee’s first grant

’23’24
EducationAnimalsArts & CultureEnvironmentHuman ServicesHealthOther
How this is measured
First-time means a grantee’s first year in the filing window; renewed means funded in an earlier year too. The renewed share climbs naturally as a portfolio matures, so the signal is a year that bucks it (a wave of new grantees). The earliest year is left-censored: relationships that predate the data read as new. Theme is the grantee’s IRS cause.

Backed again, and grew

  • AL
    ALDO LEOPOLD FOUNDATION INC
    2× · 2023–2024 · $200k · revenue +85%
  • TR
    THEODORE ROOSEVELT CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP INC
    2× · 2023–2024 · $100k · revenue +26%
  • Lake Forest College
    2× · 2023–2024 · $95k · revenue +18%

Funded once

  • FO
    Friends Of Lake Forest Park Recreation
    one grant, 2023 · $125k
  • HC
    History Center Lake Forest
    one grant, 2023 · $50k
  • LC
    Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
    one grant, 2023 · $11k
How this is measured

Repeat means funded in two or more distinct years. Growth and survival are read from each grantee’s own subsequent IRS filings.

03Its field

Closest unfunded matches

The nonprofits that most resemble its grantees but are not funded by it, scored along the direction from the rest of the field toward the portfolio. A resemblance in what they say they do, not a recommendation.

1
Lake Forest Graduate School of Management

Lake Forest Graduate School of Management's mission is to bring the real world to business education and leadership development.

—
2
Minnesota Land Trust

The minnesota land trust protects and restores minnesota's most vital natural lands in order to provide wildlife habitat, clean water, outdoor experiences and scenic beauty for generations to come.

Environment
3
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

To sustain, restore, and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats.

Animals
4
The Water Research Foundation

The purpose of the water research foundation (wrf) is a definitive research organization to advance the science of all things water to better meet the evolving needs of its subscribers and the water sector. to engage exclusively in…

Environment
5
Lake Champlain Land Trust Inc

The mission of the lake champlain land trust is to save the scenic beauty, natural communities, and recreational amenities of lake champlain by permanently preserving significant islands, shoreline areas, and natural communities in the…

Environment
6
The Little Forks Conservancy Inc

To permanently protect and improve natural environments in Mid-Michigan by leading and inspiring actions that conserve vital habitats and waterways for the benefit of our entire community.

Environment
7
Land Conservancy of West Michigan

Our mission is conserving West Michigans ecologically critical land. We protect land by creating public nature preserves, providing support to communities and local governments in creating natural areas, and helping private landowners…

Environment
8
Lake Forest Academy

Lake forest academy strives to embody in its practices - and to cultivate in its students -excellence of character, scholarship, citizenship, and responsibility.

Education
9
Landmark Conservancy Inc

Landmark conservancy is a nationally accredited, nonprofit conservation organization serving 20 counties across northwest wisconsin. their mission is to conserve wisconsin's natural legacy for everyone...forever.

Environment
10
African Parks Foundation of America

To engage the united states and its citizens in the work of african parks and to promote access to american experience and expertise in the african parks actiities by 1) raising funds for specific projects, activities, training, equipment…

Recreation & Sports
11
University of Illinois Foundation

The Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is an independent and separate nonprofit entity from the University of Illinois. Our mission is to encourage and administer private gifts and serve the UI System by working closely with…

Education
12
Eastern National

Eastern national promotes the public's understanding and support of america's national parks and other public trust partners by providing quality educational experiences, products and services.

Recreation & Sports
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Lake Forest Open Lands Association; the most unlike its peers is The Roberti Community House. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
03the grantee network

52 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2026.

Each grant beside the grantee’s revenue from every source, year by year.

How this is measured

Counted here: distinct organizations funded across 2017 to 2026, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 52 of the 77 grantees resolved in that span have returns of their own we could reconcile.

Each grantee is resolved to its own IRS returns. Association, dated; never a causal claim.

1
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
7
Early backer (in before they grew)
52/52
Grantees still filing
32/52
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Ruffed Grouse Society: $767,000 · OtherRuffed Grouse SocietyDucks Unlimited Inc: $750,000 · OtherDucks Unlimited IncALDO LEOPOLD FOUNDATION INC: $200,000 · OtherALDO LEOPOLD FOUNDATION INCFriends Of Lake Forest Park Recreation: $125,000 · OtherFriends Of Lake Forest Park RecreationNew Mexico Wilderness Alliance (New Mexico Wild): $75,000 · Other+44 more: $297,907 · Other+44 moreNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS: $200,000 · EnvironmentNATIONAL AS…AMERICAN RIVERS INC: $125,000 · EnvironmentAMERICAN RI…DRIFTLESS AREA LAND CONSERVANCY INC: $35,000 · EnvironmentDRIFTLESS A…LAKE FOREST OPEN LANDS ASSOCIATION: $31,500 · EnvironmentLAKE FOREST…+1 more: $500 · EnvironmentFRIENDS OF LAKE FOREST PARKS & REC FOUNDATION: $375,000 · Recreation & SportsFRIENDS OF …THEODORE ROOSEVELT CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP INC: $100,000 · AnimalsTHEODORE …Delta Waterfowl Foundation: $75,000 · AnimalsDelta Wat…INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION INC: $52,000 · AnimalsINTERNATI…BOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB: $36,500 · AnimalsBOONE AND…BONEFISH & TARPON TRUST INC: $25,000 · AnimalsBONEFISH …Atlantic Salmon Federation (US) Inc: $25,000 · AnimalsAtlantic …+1 more: $10,000 · AnimalsFIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY: $150,000 · Arts & CultureRagdale Foundation: $64,500 · Arts & Culture+4 more: $2,700 · Arts & CultureLake Forest College: $95,000 · EducationAMHERST COLLEGE TRUSTEES: $26,000 · EducationWaukegan To College NFP: $11,000 · EducationCollege of Lake County Foundation: $10,000 · Education+4 more: $3,600 · EducationINSTITUTE FOR CITIZEN FOCUSED SERVICE: $50,000 · Public Benefit
Other$2,214,907Environment$392,000Recreation & Sports$375,000Animals$323,500Arts & Culture$217,200Education$145,600Public Benefit$50,000

Each grantee by its size and the funder’s share of it; top left is load-bearing

25%50%75%100%$100k$1.0M$10M$100Mgrantee revenue →↑ funder's share of their budgetFRIENDS OF LAKE FOREST PARKS & REC FOUNDATION: $375,000 over 1y, 25% of budgetNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION DISTRICTS: $200,000 over 1y, 0.8% of budgetALDO LEOPOLD FOUNDATION INC: $200,000 over 2y, 4.6% of budgetFIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY: $150,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetAMERICAN RIVERS INC: $125,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetTHEODORE ROOSEVELT CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIP INC: $100,000 over 2y, 0.9% of budgetLake Forest College: $95,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetDelta Waterfowl Foundation: $75,000 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetMARYVILLE ACADEMY FOUNDATION: $66,667 over 2y, 8.8% of budgetRagdale Foundation: $64,500 over 2y, 2.9% of budgetINTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION INC: $52,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetINSTITUTE FOR CITIZEN FOCUSED SERVICE: $50,000 over 1y, 1.0% of budgetBOONE AND CROCKETT CLUB: $36,500 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetDRIFTLESS AREA LAND CONSERVANCY INC: $35,000 over 2y, 1.0% of budgetNATURAL RESOURCES FOUNDATION OF: $35,000 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetLAKE FOREST OPEN LANDS ASSOCIATION: $31,500 over 2y, 0.4% of budgetAMHERST COLLEGE TRUSTEES: $26,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetBONEFISH & TARPON TRUST INC: $25,000 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetAtlantic Salmon Federation (US) Inc: $25,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetGorton Community Center: $15,000 over 2y, 0.5% of budgetWaukegan To College NFP: $11,000 over 2y, 0.8% of budgetFIVE OAKS AG RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CENTER INC: $10,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetNEMOURS PLANTATION WILDLIFE FOUNDATION: $10,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetAnn & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Foundation: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCollege of Lake County Foundation: $10,000 over 1y, 0.3% of budgetNorth Chicago Community Partners: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE NIGHT MINISTRY: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetALLENDALE ASSOCIATION: $2,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetMothers Trust Foundation: $2,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetVANDERCOOK COLLEGE OF MUSIC: $1,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetThe CROYA Foundation Inc: $1,040 over 1y, 3.4% of budgetFOOD ALLERGY RESEARCH & EDUCATION INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFAIRVOTE: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetHistory Center of Lake Forest-Lake Bluff: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetPLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA INC: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE INTERFAITH ALLIANCE FOUNDATION INC: $1,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE JOSSELYN CENTER NFP: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetBREAKTHROUGH T1D: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLAKE FOREST FOUNDATION FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION: $1,000 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetThe Roberti Community House: $1,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetCHICAGO COALITION TO END HOMELESSNESS: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetELAWA FARM FOUNDATION: $1,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetMUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLAKE COUNTY CRISIS CENTER: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWIKIMEDIA FOUNDATION INC: $600 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetPRESERVATION FOUNDATION OF THE LAKE COUNTY FOREST PRESERVES: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetDEER PATH ART LEAGUE: $500 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetFILL A HEART 4 KIDS: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budget
Grantee by grantee: a decade per organization, before and after funding

A decade per grantee: revenue shaded, grants as bars, all rows on one timeline.

Co-funders

Grantmakers whose grantees overlap with this funder’s far more than size alone predicts. Closer means stronger alignment; arcs show where they also fund each other. Here they form a tightly interlocked group: most of these funders back each other's grantees too.

John and Kathleen Sch…The Chicago Community…The Gorter Family Fou…Butler Family Foundat…Keystone Charitable F…Clarks Fork FoundationHarold M & Adeline S …The Lake County Commu…The Grainger Foundati…Hedberg Foundation IncThe Buchanan Family F…Hunting Foundation
John and Kathleen Schreiber Foundation D/B/A Schreiber PhilanthropyIL34.6× affinity14 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: John and Kathleen Schreiber Foundation D/B/A Schreiber Philanthropy · The Chicago Community Trust · The Gorter Family Foundation · Butler Family Foundation · Keystone Charitable Foundation · Clarks Fork Foundation · Harold M & Adeline S Morrison Family Foundation · The Lake County Community Foundation · The Grainger Foundation Inc · Hedberg Foundation Inc · The Buchanan Family Foundation · Hunting Foundation

How this is measured
Affinity is a Gamma-Poisson posterior co-funding rate, re-centered on the typical rate, so thin evidence shrinks toward no signal. Overlap is association, not proof of shared intent.
04Through Plinth

Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

How do I get to Little Orchard Foundation?

Find your warmest path to Little Orchard Foundation through trustees and officers whose names appear on both boards. Search for your organization and Plinth traces the shortest route it can evidence.

Each link is a name appearing on two organizations’ public IRS 990 filings, matched on that name and, where the filings support it, on location. A same-state match has geographic support, which is a second matching feature rather than confirmation that the two are one person; a cross-state one is the likeliest to be two people who share a name. Every hop shows its tier, low-confidence and distant paths are held back rather than guessed, and it is worth confirming the person before you use the introduction.

On method. Every financial figure here is read from IRS e-file XML, the funder’s own 990/990-PF, and from the multi-year returns of the 77 grantees we resolved, each linked to its source. Grantee outcomes are each organization’s own program-service reporting (Form 990, Part III), read as association with funding, never as caused by it. Low-confidence name matches are suppressed rather than guessed. How we build these →

How this is measured
Each figure carries one of six labels. Filed is what the funder reported on its return. Official is another government record about an organization, such as a federal award or a charity register, joined by name where no shared identifier exists. Resolved is an identity we worked out where the filing named a recipient without an EIN, kept only above a measured confidence threshold. Computed is arithmetic over those, like themes, portfolio clusters and co-funder strength. Context is a statistic about a place rather than about an organization, which is what the need overlay is: it describes the area a grantee’s address sits in, not where its work lands. Inferred is drawn by a model from text, like the partnerships read out of public news and organization websites. Each is labeled where it appears.

Generated from the IRS Form 990-PF e-file return for fiscal year 2024, released 2024. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Little Orchard’s filings →

More from the funding graph

The unnamed billions
grants reported with no recipient in the public record
The regranting layer
51% of grant dollars land in the regranting layer
The DAF merry-go-round
$9.7B circulates between donor-advised funds
The endowment market
who holds foundation money, and what just moved
The camps
funders cluster by geography, not ideology
By state
where grant money is based, and what stays home