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The Magic Charitable Foundation at a glance

· Private foundation

The Magic Charitable 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.

$132k
Granted FY2025still arriving
28
Grants FY2025still arriving
11
States reached
$11k
Largest
01What it fundsRead
02The needRead
03Its granteesRead
04Its fieldRead
05Through PlinthRead
01What it funds
01100% classified

What it funded, over time

Every grant placed by its stated purpose and the recipient’s mission, by year, FY2020 to 2025.

Health$187kInternational$91kHousing & Shelter$89kEducation$80kFood & Nutrition$67kPublic Safety & Disaster$59kEnvironment$47kHuman Services$46kOther$0
02FY2025 · 28 grants

Where the money goes

Grants by size, and the largest recipients.

By grant size · FY2025

  • Under $10k25 grants · $101k
  • $10k–50k3 grants · $31k
$4,500
Median grant
11
States reached
$1.2M
Total assets
Largest grants
RecipientAmount
National Alliance on Mental Illness$11,000
American Red Cross$10,000
The Margo Fowler Family Foundation$10,000
The Conservation Fund$9,000
St Jude Children's Research Hospita$8,000
Ann Robert H Lurie Children's Hospi$7,000
Nourishing Hope$5,000
BraveHearts Therapeutic Riding Ed C$5,000
YWCA EvanstonNorth Shore$5,000
St Francis de Sales Catholic School$5,000
Project Heal$5,000
Feed My Starving Children$4,500
Doctors Without Borders$4,500
The Les Turner ALS Foundation$4,500
Alzheimer's Association$4,000
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 (FY20–25, $68k) land where the poverty rate runs at 13%, against an area that typically sits at 11%. 87% of those dollars go to grantees based in above-average-need neighborhoods. Most of its grants land in higher-need ZIPs.

area typical 11%American Red Cross: $25k → 14%American Red Cross: $13k → 14%American Red Cross: $10k → 14%American Red Cross: $10k → 14%American Red Cross: $1k → 14%ReNew Communities NFP: $3k → 8%ReNew Communities NFP: $3k → 8%Equestrian Connection: $3k → 8%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

NH
WA
MN
IL
WI
NY
OH
CA
VA
MD
AZ
TN
DC
GA
TX
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.

78%of every dollar goes to organizations it has funded before.
$552k · 23 repeat orgs$157k to everyone else

Grantees it renews have grown median revenue +33% since the first grant, against +8% for those funded once.

23 repeat relationships: 17 still active in FY2025, 6 since wound down; 11 grantees were first funded in FY2025 (too recent to call).

How the two cohorts compare

Re-uppedFunded once

Organizations

23
19

Total granted

$552k
$114k

Median revenue growth · since first grant

+33%
+8%

Still filing today

65%
79%

New vs renewed · share of each year

In FY2025, 67% of grant dollars renewed an existing relationship; $43k went to new ones.

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

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

’20’21’22’23’24’25
HealthInternationalHuman ServicesFood & NutritionPhilanthropyHousing & ShelterOther
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

  • ST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC
    6× · 2020–2025 · $70k · revenue +78%
  • AN
    American National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches
    5× · 2020–2025 · $59k · revenue +38%
  • HF
    HABITAT FOR HUMANITY LAKE COUNTY
    5× · 2020–2025 · $36k · revenue +95%

Funded once

  • UF
    US Fund for UNICEF dba UNICEF USA
    one grant, 2022 · $20k
  • NI
    NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK
    one grant, 2020 · $15k · revenue +8%
  • GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY
    one grant, 2020 · $15k · revenue +17%
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
Conservation International Foundation

Ci works to spotlight and secure the critical benefits that nature provides to humanity.

Environment
2
Project Drawdown

Project drawdown's mission is to drive meaningful climate action by advancing science-based solutions and strategies. project drawdown's work is focused on three pillars: science - advancing science-based climate solutions and strategies;…

Education
3
Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Foundation

To engage and catalyze global seafood supply chains in rebuilding depleted fish stocks and reducing the environmental impacts of fishing and fish farming.

Animals
4
Ocean Conservancy

Ocean conservancy unites science, people, and policy to protect our ocean, today and for generations to come.

Environment
5
Target Als Foundation Inc

Our mission is to break down barriers to als research to find effective treatments. by uniting academia, the pharma and biotech industry, government, venture capital, related nonprofits, and the als community, we aim to overcome the…

Education
6
The Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Fdn Group

Susan g. komen 's mission is to save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities & investing in breakthrough research to prevent & cure breast cancer.

—
7
The Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Inc

Susan g. komen has an unmatched, comprehensive 360-degree approach to fighting breast cancer across all fronts and supporting millions of people in the u.s. and in countries worldwide. we advocate for policies to protect patients, drive…

Health
8
American Academy of Neurology

The Academy's mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all.

Community Improvement
9
New York Genome Center Inc

Operate a state-of-the-art, world-class genomic research center that creates and uses advanced genomics to understand the genetic basis of disease. for more information, see schedule o.

Health
10
American Institute for Cancer Research

Aicr champions the latest and most authoritative scientific research from around the world on cancer prevention and survival through diet, weight and physical activity, so that we can help people make informed lifestyle choices to reduce…

Health
11
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

To cure cf and provide all people with cf the opportunity to lead long, fulfilling lives by funding research and drug development, partnering with the cf community, and advancing high-quality, specialized care.

Health
12
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Inc

The mission of dfci is to provide expert, compassionate, and equitable care to children, adults, and their families, while advancing the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, cure, and prevention of cancer and related diseases. we train new…

Health
How this is measured
The grantee most central to the portfolio’s shape is Feed My Starving Children Inc; the most unlike its peers is The Margo Fowler Family 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 55 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)
2
Early backer (in before they grew)
41/41
Grantees still filing
21/41
Grew since first funded

Where the money sits, by cause and then by grantee

Ann Robert H Lurie Children's Hospi: $38,000 · OtherAnn Robert H Lurie Children's HospiThe Les Turner ALS Foundation: $27,500 · OtherThe Les Turner ALS FoundationSt Francis de Sales Catholic School: $27,500 · OtherSt Francis de Sales Catholic SchoolSt Joan of Arc Catholic School: $25,000 · OtherSt Joan of Arc Catholic SchoolBraveHearts Therapeutic Riding Ed C: $23,000 · OtherBraveHearts Therapeutic Riding Ed CUS Fund for UNICEF dba UNICEF USA: $20,000 · OtherUS Fund for UNICEF dba UNICEF USACARMEL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL: $18,000 · OtherCARMEL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOLTHE NATURE CONSERVANCY: $17,000 · OtherTHE NATURE CONSERVANCYThe Salvation Army World Service Of: $11,000 · OtherWORLD WILDLIFE FUND INC: $12,000 · Other+19 more: $89,000 · Other+19 moreHABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL INC: $35,000 · InternationalHABITAT FOR HUMANI…THE WATER PROJECT INC: $30,000 · InternationalTHE WATER PROJECT …FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN INC: $27,000 · InternationalFEED MY STARVING C…MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $27,000 · InternationalMEDECINS SANS FRON…+1 more: $2,500 · InternationalST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $69,500 · HealthST JUDE CHILDREN'…NAMI National: $16,000 · HealthNAMI NationalAmerican Heart Association Inc: $7,500 · HealthAmerican Heart As…ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC: $4,000 · Health+6 more: $17,000 · Health+6 moreAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $59,000 · Human ServicesAmerican N…RENEW COMMUNITIES NFP: $5,500 · Human ServicesRENEW COMM…Equestrian Connection NFP: $3,000 · Human ServicesHABITAT FOR HUMANITY LAKE COUNTY: $35,500 · Housing & ShelterLA CASA NORTE: $13,000 · Housing & ShelterNORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK: $15,000 · Food & NutritionGREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY: $15,000 · Food & NutritionFEAST Inc: $5,000 · Food & NutritionTHE MARGO FOWLER FAMILY FOUNDATION: $24,500 · PhilanthropyJohn M Smith Youth Sports Foundation: $5,000 · PhilanthropyGratitude Generation Inc: $4,000 · Philanthropy
Other$308,000International$121,500Health$114,000Human Services$67,500Housing & Shelter$48,500Food & Nutrition$35,000Philanthropy$33,500

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 budgetST JUDE CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL INC: $69,500 over 6y, 0.0% of budgetAmerican National Red Cross & Its Constituent Chapters and Branches: $59,000 over 5y, 0.0% of budgetHABITAT FOR HUMANITY LAKE COUNTY: $35,500 over 5y, 0.6% of budgetHABITAT FOR HUMANITY INTERNATIONAL INC: $35,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetTHE WATER PROJECT INC: $30,000 over 5y, 0.2% of budgetFEED MY STARVING CHILDREN INC: $27,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetMEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC: $27,000 over 4y, 0.0% of budgetTHE MARGO FOWLER FAMILY FOUNDATION: $24,500 over 2y, 3.3% of budgetTHE NATURE CONSERVANCY: $17,000 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetNAMI National: $16,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetNORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK: $15,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY: $15,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetLA CASA NORTE: $13,000 over 2y, 0.1% of budgetWORLD WILDLIFE FUND INC: $12,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetTHE CONSERVATION FUND A NONPROFIT CORPORATION: $9,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCENTER FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY INC: $9,000 over 3y, 0.0% of budgetAmerican Heart Association Inc: $7,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetRENEW COMMUNITIES NFP: $5,500 over 2y, 0.3% of budgetFEAST Inc: $5,000 over 1y, 0.5% of budgetCREDIT ABUSE RESISTANCE EDUCATION: $5,000 over 1y, 10% of budgetNorthwestern University: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetPOSITIVE COACHING ALLIANCE: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetJohn M Smith Youth Sports Foundation: $5,000 over 1y, 15% of budgetYWCA EvanstonNorth Shore: $5,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetNOURISHING HOPE: $5,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetDEPAUL UNIVERSITY: $4,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetALZHEIMER'S DISEASE & RELATED DISORDERS ASSOCIATION INC: $4,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetGratitude Generation Inc: $4,000 over 1y, 1.0% of budgetAMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY INC: $3,500 over 2y, 0.0% of budgetEquestrian Connection NFP: $3,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetErikas Lighthouse A Beacon of Hope for Adolescent Depression: $3,000 over 1y, 0.2% of budgetSMILE TRAIN INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetWRIGHT-WAY RESCUE INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetActive Minds Inc: $3,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetFOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN WITH NEUROIMMUNE DISORDERS INC: $3,000 over 1y, 0.6% of budgetInternational Rett Syndrome Foundation: $2,500 over 1y, 0.1% of budgetWORLD VISION INC: $2,500 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetTHE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION INC: $2,000 over 1y, 0.0% of budgetCANCER RESEARCH INSTITUTE INC: $2,000 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.

Baxter International …AbbVie FoundationThe Chicago Community…Kemper Educational an…First Bank Chicago Fo…Arthur J Gallagher Fo…Jpmorgan Chase Founda…Jewish Federation of …The Pfizer Foundation…The Blackbaud Giving …National Philanthropi…Baird Foundation Inc
Baxter International FoundationIL17.3× affinity6 shared granteesties to 11 of 11Hover any node to trace its alignments.Compare side by side →

Open a dossier: Baxter International Foundation · AbbVie Foundation · The Chicago Community Trust · Kemper Educational and Charitable Fund · First Bank Chicago Foundation · Arthur J Gallagher Foundation · Jpmorgan Chase Foundation · Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago · The Pfizer Foundation Inc · The Blackbaud Giving Fund · National Philanthropic Trust · Baird Foundation Inc

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 Magic Charitable Foundation funds: left to right is the share of its income from government, bottom to top the share from The Magic Charitable Foundation. Bigger dots raise more.

2024
’20’21’22’23’24’25
no gov · 00%1%5%11%20%funder's share of their income ↑0%6%13%19%25%share of the org’s income from government →
    no gov moneyreceives it· size = income
    0get no government money at all
    8report government grants on their 990 we could not trace to a source (not plotted)
    0rely on government for over half their income
    ⤢ axis zoomed · 0–25%
    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.
    05Through Plinth

    Warm introductions · Powered by PlinthPlus

    How do I get to The Magic Charitable Foundation?

    Find your warmest path to The Magic Charitable 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 55 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 Magic’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