Private foundation · EIN 36-3403692 · Chicago, Illinois

C Gary and Virginia Gerst 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 2024 Form 990-PF: 33 grants paid, $336K total, median $2,500. 67% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2024
33
$336K
Median grant
$2,500
Stays in IL
67%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$2.6M

Grants paid in 2024

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Numbers USA Education and Research FoundationArlington, VACivic and Community Support$75K
Chicago Shakespeare TheatreChicago, ILSupport for the Arts$53K
Court TheaterChicago, ILEducation$50K
Lyric Opera of ChicagoChicago, ILSupport for the Arts$35K
Metropolitan Family ServicesChicago, ILPublic Charity Support$27K
Dearfield AcademyDeerfield, MACommunity Support$18K
Aspen Public RadioAspen, COPublic Media Support$10K
Center for Immigration StudiesWashington, DCPublic Charity Support$10K
Northwestern Memorial FoundationChicago, ILPublic Charity Support$10K
Sacred Heart SchoolsChicago, ILEducation$10K
Aspen Music Festival and SchoolAspen, COSupport for Arts Education$5,000
Chicago Architecture FoundationChicago, ILPublic Charity Support$5,000
Newberry LibraryChicago, ILPublic Charity Support$5,000
Northlight TheatreSkokie, ILSupport for the Arts$5,000
Porchlight Music TheatreChicago, ILArts$5,000
St Chrysostom's Episcopal ChurchChicago, ILReligious$3,000
Aspen Valley Hospital FoundationAspen, COMedical Research$2,500
North Shore Country DayWinnetka, ILPublic Charity Support$2,500
Habitat for Humanity ChicagoChicago, ILHumanitarian Aid$1,000
626 Landmark FoundationChicago, ILPublic Charity Support$626
Timeline TheaterChicago, ILSupport for the Arts$500
Wfmt Fine Arts CircleChicago, ILPublic Media Support$500
Louisville Metro Young LifeColorado Springs, COReligious$500
Leadership InstituteArlington Va, VALeadership Training$500
Holiday BasketsBasalt, COPublic Charity Support$400
Grant Park Music FestivalChicago, ILSupport for the Arts$350
Aspen Historical SocietyAspen, COPublic Charity Support$300
Chicago Botanic GardenGlencoe, ILPublic Charity Support$300
Gold Coast Neighbors AssociationChicago, ILPublic Charity Support$300
Friends of the ParksChicago, ILConservation$250
Friends of the Upper East SideNew York, NYPreservation and development on the Upper East Side.$250
Active Transportation AllianceChicago, ILPublic Charity Support$200
Chicago History MuseumChicago, ILSupport for the Arts$120

By state: Illinois 22 · Virginia 2 · Colorado 6 · Massachusetts 1 · District of Columbia 1 · New York 1

About this foundation

C Gary and Virginia Gerst Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Chicago, Illinois, tax-exempt since 1986. 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 C Gary and Virginia Gerst Foundation accept grant applications?

No. On its 2024 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 C Gary and Virginia Gerst Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2024 it paid $336K across 33 grants, a median of $2,500.

Where does C Gary and Virginia Gerst Foundation give?

Illinois (22 grants), Virginia (2 grants), Colorado (6 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

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