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The Buckman Fun Filled Family Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Buckman Fun Filled Family Foundation

Its FY2025 filing reports that it funds preselected organizations and did not take unsolicited requests; check the foundation's own site before ruling it out.

$100k
Granted FY2025still arriving
21
Grants FY2025still arriving
7
States reached
$23k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
01What it funds
0193% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2017 to 2025.

Health$508kEducation$62kYouth Development$40kPhilanthropy$27kReligion$27kInternational$25kCommunity Improvement$17kArts & Culture$14kOther$0
02FY2025 · 21 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k17 grants · $40k
  • $10k–50k4 grants · $60k
$2,500
Median grant
7
States reached
$1.6M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
CAL'S ANGELS$22,500
HOPE CHICAGO$17,500
LURIES CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL$10,000
LIV LIKE A UNICORN$10,000
Individual grant recipient$5,000
CITY YEAR$5,000
WEISH4EVER$5,000
GUITARS OVER GUNS ORGANIZATION INC$5,000
HELP ONE NOW$3,750
MIND - REGISTERED LONDON ENGLAND CHARITY$2,620
URBAN INITIATIVES$2,500
CHICAGO ARCHITECTURAL CENTER$2,500
ANTHONY RIZZO FAMILY FOUNDATION$1,600
MARY DEROSA CANCER CHARITY NFP$1,500
COMPASSION INTERNATIONAL$1,132
02The need
03

Does the money reach high-need areas?

Each grant placed by the hardship in its grantee’s ZIP, against the area’s typical level.

show:

Its human-services grants (FY18–25, $13k) land where the poverty rate runs at 13%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 89% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%360 YOUTH SERVICES: $500 → 7%RISING LIGHTS PROJECT: $1k → 8%URBAN INITIATIVES: $7k → 14%URBAN INITIATIVES: $3k → 14%URBAN INITIATIVES: $1k → 14%URBAN INITIATIVES: $250 → 14%JEWISH CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES: $1k → 14%0%20%40%50%more need →
grant to an above-average-need area below average· circle size = grant amount
How this is measured
Matched: human-services grants are those whose grantee’s IRS cause code is Human Services. Placed by people below the poverty line in the grantee’s ZIP, averaged from the tracts in that ZIP.

Which US states its grants reach

IL
NY
IA
IN
PA
NJ
CA
CO
NC
DC
OK
GA
TX
FL
How this is measured
US grants placed by each grantee’s ZIP, which can differ from where services are delivered. Need from public data (U.S. Census/ACS, CDC PLACES, Eviction Lab, USDA), shown as context about the area, never attributed to the funder’s giving.
03Its grantees
repeat funding

Who it funds again

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

82%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$612k · 22 repeat orgs$135k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +60% since the first grant, against +37% for those funded once.

22 repeat relationships: 11 still active in FY2025, 11 since wound down; 10 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

22
41

Total granted

$612k
$109k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+60%
+37%

Still filing today

68%
46%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 73% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $27k went to new ones.

50%100%’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
RenewedFirst-time

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

’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
HealthPhilanthropyHuman ServicesEducationInternationalRecreation & SportsOther
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

  • LL
    LIV LIKE A UNICORN
    2× · 2024–2025 · $24k · revenue +119%
  • Compassion International Incorporated
    9× · 2017–2025 · $15k · revenue +16%
  • GO
    GUITARS OVER GUNS ORGANIZATION INC
    4× · 2021–2025 · $13k · revenue +81%

Funded once

  • IG
    Individual grant recipient
    one grant, 2024 · $25k
  • PC
    PROJECT CURE CHICAGO
    one grant, 2022 · $10k
  • JU
    JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGOgraduated
    one grant, 2023 · $10k · revenue +32%
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.

04Its 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
Curesearch for Children's Cancer

Curesearch's mission is to fund & support targeted & innovative cancer research with measurable results, & to be the authoritative source of information & resources for all those affected by children's cancer. see schedule o for…

Health
2
A Better Chicago

A better chicago is changing how chicago fights poverty by investing in bold ideas that create opportunity for our youth.

Human Services
3
Lurie Children's Surgical Foundation Inc

Provide pediatric and subspecialty surgical, research, and educational services.

—
4
Gastro Intestinal Research Foundation Inc

The GI Research Foundation works to treat, prevent, and cure digestive diseases. In collaboration with the physicians and scientists at the University of Chicago Digestive Diseases Center, we fund innovative clinical and laboratory…

Health
5
Junior Achievement of Chicago

To inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy

International
6
Kipp Chicago Schools

The team at kipp chicago schools is guided by a simple, yet powerful mission: to create a network of excellent schools in chicago that teach our students the character and academic skills necessary to succeed in college and beyond, and to…

Education
7
Pediatric Faculty Foundation Inc

We value excellence and innovation in clinical and basic research, coordinated and comprehensive patient care, ongoing physician education, and evidence-based child advocacy. our goal is to provide leadership in endeavors that promote the…

Health
8
Children's Tumor Foundation

Our mission: drive research, expand knowledge, and advance care for the nf community. our vision: end nf.

Health
9
Children's Advocates for Change

Children's advocates for change was organized to improve the lives of children in illinois by bringing about significant changes public policies and programs for children through research, policy analysis and advocacy, public education and…

Human Services
10
University of Chicago Cancer Research Foundation

The mission shall be to provide fundraising, advocacy, and advisory support for cancer research at the comprehensive cancer center at the university of chicago.

Health
11
Children's Hospital Corporation

Provider of pediatric healthcare, education, research & community service

Health
12
Thrive Chicago Nfp

Thrive chicago's mission is to prepare chicago's youth for a vibrant future by aligning efforts and outcomes from cradle to career.

Human Services
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is St Baldrick's Foundation Inc; the most unlike its peers is Kevin White Foundation. Resemblance is measured on each organization’s own IRS 990 mission text; it reflects how work is described, not its quality or impact.
04the grantee network

41 grantees tracked through their own filings, 2017–2025.

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 2025, not grant rows in a single year, so this will not match the grant count on the cover. 41 of the 75 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.

0
Load-bearing (≥25% of a budget)
15
Early backer (in before they grew)
40/41
Grantees still filing
31/41
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

CAL'S ANGELS: $437,555 · OtherCAL'S ANGELSHOPE CHICAGO INC: $37,875 · OtherHOPE CHICAGO INCIndividual grant recipient: $25,000 · Other+46 more: $134,241 · Other+46 moreLIV LIKE A UNICORN: $23,731 · PhilanthropyCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE FOX RIVER VALLEY: $10,309 · PhilanthropyJEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO: $10,000 · PhilanthropyANTHONY RIZZO FAMILY FOUNDATION: $5,888 · PhilanthropyTHE IMMOKALEE FOUNDATION INC: $5,000 · Philanthropy+3 more: $1,625 · PhilanthropyCompassion International Incorporated: $14,863 · InternationalHELP ONE NOW: $3,750 · InternationalGUITARS OVER GUNS ORGANIZATION INC: $12,900 · Youth DevelopmentBEAT THE STREETS CHICAGO: $5,000 · Youth DevelopmentURBAN INITIATIVES INC: $10,682 · Human ServicesRISING LIGHTS PROJECT: $1,000 · Human ServicesJewish Child and Family Services: $1,000 · Human Services360 YOUTH SERVICES: $500 · Human ServicesMARY DEROSA CHARITY NFP: $4,500 · HealthHEALTHNET FOUNDATION INC: $2,000 · HealthChildrens Oncology Services Inc: $1,500 · HealthALS UNITED GREATER CHICAGO: $1,000 · HealthPediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States Inc: $500 · Health+3 more: $859 · HealthHOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FOUNDATION OF ILLINOIS INC: $5,500 · Arts & CulturePARAMOUNT ARTS CENTRE: $1,000 · Arts & Culture
Other$634,671Philanthropy$56,553International$18,613Youth Development$17,900Human Services$13,182Health$10,359Arts & Culture$6,500

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 budgetHOPE CHICAGO INC: $37,875 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetLIV LIKE A UNICORN: $23,731 over 2y, 3.5% of budgetCompassion International Incorporated: $14,863 over 9y, 0.0% of budgetGUITARS OVER GUNS ORGANIZATION INC: $12,900 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetCITY YEAR INC: $12,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetURBAN INITIATIVES INC: $10,682 over 4y, 0.1% of budgetCOMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE FOX RIVER VALLEY: $10,309 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS INC: $10,000 over 6y, 0.1% of budgetJEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO: $10,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetANTHONY RIZZO FAMILY FOUNDATION: $5,888 over 2y, 0.2% of budgetHOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FOUNDATION OF ILLINOIS INC: $5,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetTHE IMMOKALEE FOUNDATION INC: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetBEAT THE STREETS CHICAGO: $5,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetMARY DEROSA CHARITY NFP: $4,500 over 3y, 13% of budgetBUNKER HILL CHARITIES: $3,550 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetKESHET: $3,022 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCASA KANE COUNTY: $2,450 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetHEALTHNET FOUNDATION INC: $2,000 over 2y, 0.6% of budgetBoca School for Autism Inc: $1,620 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetChildrens Oncology Services Inc: $1,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCENTRAL YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE INC: $1,000 over 1y, 1.8% of budgetJewish Child and Family Services: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPARAMOUNT ARTS CENTRE: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetALS UNITED GREATER CHICAGO: $1,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFOX VALLEY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: $1,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetTHE ANDREW WEISHAR FOUNDATION: $983 over 2y, 0.1% of budget360 YOUTH SERVICES: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetST BALDRICK'S FOUNDATION INC: $500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetGREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the United States Inc: $500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetAnn & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago: $343 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetCHICAGO PARKS FOUNDATION: $264 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCRISTO REY FORT WORTH CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL INC: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetKevin White Foundation: $250 over 1y, 0.4% of budgetBLOOD CANCER UNITED INC: $250 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetNETWORK FOR GOOD: $100 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetDONORSCHOOSEORG: $99 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.

  • Who funds HOPE CHICAGO INC ↗
  • Who funds LIV LIKE A UNICORN ↗
  • Who funds Compassion International Incorporated ↗
  • Who funds GUITARS OVER GUNS ORGANIZATION INC ↗
  • Who funds CITY YEAR INC ↗
  • Who funds URBAN INITIATIVES INC ↗
  • Who funds COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE FOX RIVER VALLEY ↗
  • Who funds BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS INC ↗
  • Who funds JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO ↗
  • Who funds ANTHONY RIZZO FAMILY FOUNDATION ↗
  • Who funds HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FOUNDATION OF ILLINOIS INC ↗
  • Who funds THE IMMOKALEE FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds BEAT THE STREETS CHICAGO ↗
  • Who funds MARY DEROSA CHARITY NFP ↗
  • Who funds HELP ONE NOW ↗
  • Who funds BUNKER HILL CHARITIES ↗
  • Who funds KESHET ↗
  • Who funds CASA KANE COUNTY ↗
  • Who funds HEALTHNET FOUNDATION INC ↗
  • Who funds Boca School for Autism Inc ↗
  • Who funds Childrens Oncology Services Inc ↗

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.

The Chicago Community…Dunham FundDunham FoundationThe Bersted FoundationCommunity Foundation …AbbVie FoundationBaird Foundation IncArthur J Gallagher Fo…Fox Valley United WayNorthwestern Memorial…United Way of Metropo…Motorola Solutions Fo…
The Chicago Community TrustIL19.2× affinity10 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: The Chicago Community Trust · Dunham Fund · Dunham Foundation · The Bersted Foundation · Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley · AbbVie Foundation · Baird Foundation Inc · Arthur J Gallagher Foundation · Fox Valley United Way · Northwestern Memorial HealthCare Group · United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc · Motorola Solutions 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.

How much its grantees rely on government

Each dot is one organization The Buckman Fun Filled Family Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Buckman Fun Filled Family Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 40%1%4%8%15%funder's share of their income ↑0%25%50%75%100%share of the org’s income from government →median 11%
  • City Year Inc: 11% of income from government
  • Guitars Over Guns Organization Inc: 1% of income from government
no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
4get no government money at all
7report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
0rely on government for over half their income
typical government reliance, FY20–25
How this is measured
Government income is each org’s traced federal awards (USASpending grants and contracts) plus state payments (open checkbooks) as a share of its total revenue (IRS Form 990); the self-reported government-grant line (990 line 1e) is carried for cross-check: a grantee that reports government grants we could not trace to a source is left off the chart rather than shown as receiving none. An association, not a claim that a grant caused the public funding. Coverage is precision-first, a floor rather than a census; state records exist for 9 states, so a grantee outside them shows no state figure (dimmed) rather than a false zero. Federal award amounts are obligations, which can span years, so a single-year share is indicative. 990 filings lag 12 to 24 months.

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 75 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 2025, released 2025. Filings run roughly 12 to 24 months behind; figures are dated accordingly.

Source object · view filing

Play a game based on Buckman Fun Filled Family’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