Canterbury Foundation Ltd

Canterbury Foundation Ltd is a Dixon, Illinois private foundation that supports religious and educational growth in north-central Illinois. Unlike most private foundations, Canterbury explicitly accepts applications for scholarship funding from students pursuing higher education. The application process is informal: students submit a written request with a brief resume and transcript, and the foundation awards funds to "the most deserving candidates." No deadlines are stated — applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Beyond scholarships, the foundation has been an anchor supporter of Dixon's performing arts infrastructure for over a decade: Viva Performing Arts (Dixon), Between Beats Inc (Dixon), and Historic Dixon Theater Group have been consistent multi-year grantees. St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Dixon receives regular operating support, reflecting the foundation's religious giving mandate. Sauk Valley Community College (Dixon) and Dixon High School's Theater Department received grants in 2022–2023.

Timothy Boles (President, 105 Peoria Ave, Dixon IL 61021, phone 312-420-8715) leads the foundation with Linda Brantley (Treasurer) and Michelle Spinden (Secretary) — all uncompensated with zero reported hours, consistent with a lightly administered foundation. The foundation was incorporated in 1990 and has continuous filing history through 2024. Dixon, Illinois is known as the birthplace of President Ronald Reagan and is the county seat of Lee County (population ~35,000 in the county).

Canterbury Foundation's giving history shows significant volatility: $209,500 in 2020, $569,500 in 2021, $866,168 in 2022, $656,400 in 2023, and $463,621 in 2024 — with assets declining from $4.8M in 2021 to $3.2M in 2024. The 2021–2022 spike in distributions coincided with a period of elevated payouts, suggesting the foundation made intentional decisions to significantly increase giving, possibly in response to COVID-19 impacts on the arts or as an estate/strategic planning decision.

Grant sizes within a given year vary enormously: a $361,068 grant to "VARIOUS RECIPIENTS" (aggregate scholarships) in 2022 represents the largest single-year scholarship distribution, while organizational grants to Dixon arts groups range from $7,000–$75,000. In FY2024, 4 grants totaled $463,621: Between Beats Inc ($47,776 estimated from median), Viva Performing Arts, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, and "Various Recipients" (medical assistance and individual scholarships).

The foundation receives small annual contributions ($50,000–$187,000) in addition to investment returns, indicating some ongoing contributor activity — possibly the original founders or their estate making supplemental gifts.

Canterbury Foundation operates in a unique philanthropic niche: it is likely the primary private foundation supporting the performing arts infrastructure of Dixon, Illinois — a city of approximately 15,000 residents with limited institutional philanthropy. The foundation's decade-plus annual support for Viva Performing Arts and related Dixon theater organizations has made it an anchor cultural funder in this rural north-central Illinois community.

The foundation's combination of rolling scholarship programs with institutional arts support is uncommon among foundations this size. Most foundations of $3–5M choose either scholarships or institutional grantmaking — Canterbury does both. The scholarship program (for students residing primarily in Illinois) provides an accessible community benefit that larger community foundations in the region (Illinois Community Foundation, Kishwaukee Community Foundation) typically serve through their scholarship funds.

Compared to other Illinois rural county foundations, Canterbury's $463K–$866K annual giving range places it among the most active private foundations in Lee County and surrounding counties. Its presence fills a significant gap in an area with limited philanthropic infrastructure.

FY2024 data (most recent via Grantmakers.io, updated January 2026) shows 4 grants totaling $463,621. New grantee: Between Beats Inc (Dixon IL performing arts organization, receiving operating contributions since 2022). The foundation continues to include "Various Recipients" as an aggregate category for both medical assistance grants and individual scholarships. Historic Dixon Theater Group, which received operating support from 2021–2023, does not appear in the 2024 grantee list.

The foundation's website (canterburyfoundation.com) belongs to Canterbury Foundation in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada — a senior living and retirement community — an entirely different organization. The Illinois Canterbury Foundation Ltd has no public web presence.

Contact for scholarship applications and organizational grants: Timothy Boles, President, 105 Peoria Ave, Dixon IL 61021, phone 312-420-8715. No application deadline is stated.

Canterbury Foundation Ltd is one of the rare private foundations that explicitly accepts applications — specifically for scholarships from students pursuing higher education. If you are an Illinois-based student seeking scholarship support, the process is: (1) write a brief request letter explaining your educational goals, (2) attach a transcript and academic resume, and (3) mail to Timothy Boles, President, 105 Peoria Ave, Dixon IL 61021. No deadlines are stated, so applications are apparently reviewed on a rolling basis.

For organizations, the foundation's grantee pattern suggests a strong preference for Dixon-area performing arts organizations with established track records. Viva Performing Arts, Between Beats Inc, and (previously) Historic Dixon Theater Group are all Dixon community performing arts groups that have received multi-year support. New arts or cultural organizations in the Dixon, Illinois area may be able to request support by contacting Timothy Boles directly.

St. Luke's Episcopal Church (Dixon) receives annual operating support, reflecting the foundation's religious mandate. Other Episcopal or faith-based organizations in northern Illinois might warrant an inquiry. The foundation also provides occasional medical assistance grants — the nature of this program (individual assistance vs. organizational grants to healthcare entities) is unclear from the 990-PF record.