Private foundation · EIN 16-1639401 · Chicago, Illinois · Philanthropy & grantmaking

James and Brenda Grusecki Family Foundation

Should you approach them?

Don't send a cold proposal. The foundation reports that it only gives to preselected organizations; an introduction through a current grantee or board member is the realistic route.

From the 2025 Form 990-PF: 52 grants paid, $3.2M total, median $53K. 81% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
52
$3.2M
Median grant
$53K
Stays in IL
81%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$33M

Grants paid in 2025

52 grants, all shown · from Form 990-PF Part XV

RecipientPurposeAmount
Planned Parenthood of IllinoisChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$250K
Barack Obama FoundationChicago, ILGeneral operations$200K
Timeline TheatreChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$155K
Shattered Globe TheatreChicago, ILGeneral operations$150K
Goodman TheatreChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$130K
Deborah's PlaceChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$100K
Lyric Opera of ChicagoChicago, ILGeneral operating support$100K
Porchlight Music TheatreChicago, ILGeneral operating support$100K
Remy BumppoChicago, ILGeneral operations$100K
826chiChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$85K
ThresholdsChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$85K
Chicago Foundation for WomenChicago, ILGeneral operating support$80K
American Library AssociationChicago, ILGeneral operations$75K
Chicago Shakespeare TheaterChicago, ILGeneral operating support$75K
Golden Apple FoundationChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$75K
Wbezchicago Public MediaChicago, ILGeneral operations$75K
WttwwfmtChicago, ILGeneral operations$75K
LA CASA NorteChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$70K
New MomsChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$70K
Midwest Access CoalitionChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$65K
Repro TlcBerwyn, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$65K
Breakthrough Urban MinistriesChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$60K
Cara CollectiveChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$60K
Start EarlyChicago, ILGeneral operating support$60K
Theatre AspenAspen, COSeason sponsorship$60K
Ingenuity Incorporated ChicagoChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$55K
American Blues TheaterChicago, ILGeneral operations$50K
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of ChicagoChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$50K
Chicago Jesuit AcademyChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$50K
Chicago Public Library FoundationChicago, ILGeneral operating support$50K
Little Black Pearl WorkshopChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$50K
Lutheran Child & Family Services of IllinoisRiver Forest, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$50K
MarwenChicago, ILGeneral operating support & wellness$50K
Mikva Challenge Grant Foundation IncChicago, ILGeneral operating support$50K
New Teacher CenterSanta Cruz, CAChicago and oak park programming$50K
Panorama GlobalSeattle, WAGeneral operating support$50K
Thrive Counseling CenterOak Park, ILGeneral operating support$40K
Children's Literacy InitiativeChicago, ILChicago programming$35K
American Wrtiers MuseumChicago, ILGeneral operations$25K
English in ActionBasalt, COGeneral operating support & wellness$20K
Stratford Festival AmericaBirmingham, MIGeneral operating support$12K
Merit School of MusicChicago, ILGeneral operating support$10K
The Learning Center (house of Connections)Chicago, ILGeneral operating support$10K
University of St ThomasSt Paul, MNJames grusecki class of 1966 endowed scholarship fund$10K
Chicago Opera TheaterChicago, ILGeneral operations$5,000
Greater Chicago Food DepositoryChicago, ILGeneral operating support$5,000
St Luke & St Bernadine ParishRiver Forest, ILGeneral operating support$5,000
The Climate CenterSanta Rosa, CAGeneral operating support$5,000
Working in SchoolsChicago, ILGeneral operating support$5,000
Earth IslandBerkeley, CACalcan$4,000
Botanical BusRohnert Park, CAGeneral operations$3,000
Justice OutsideOakland, CAGeneral operating support$3,000

By state: Illinois 42 · Colorado 2 · California 5 · Washington 1 · Michigan 1 · Minnesota 1

About this foundation

James and Brenda Grusecki Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Chicago, Illinois, administered in care of James P Grusecki, tax-exempt since 2003. Private foundations must pay out roughly 5% of their assets each year, mostly as grants to 501(c)(3) public charities.

All filings on ProPublica

Does James and Brenda Grusecki Family Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2025 Form 990-PF the foundation checked that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations. Look for an introduction through a current grantee.

How much does James and Brenda Grusecki Family Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $3.2M across 52 grants, a median of $53K.

Where does James and Brenda Grusecki Family Foundation give?

Illinois (42 grants), Colorado (2 grants), California (5 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

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