Private foundation · EIN 36-3779796 · Libertyville, Illinois

Kara 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: 23 grants paid, $425K total, median $10K. 52% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
23
$425K
Median grant
$10K
Stays in IL
52%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$13M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
SmilesDarien, WIOperational support$125K
3 Fires CouncilSt Charles, ILOperational support$65K
Racine County ZooRacine, WIOperational support$50K
Lifeline PilotsPeoria, ILOperational support$30K
Lakeland School of Walworth CountyElkhorn, WIOperational support$27K
Wetosha Senior Community CenterBristol, WIOperational support$22K
Wayne Township Food PantryWest Chicago, ILOperational support$20K
Mobile Care ChicagoChicago, ILOperational support$20K
York TownshipLombard, ILOperational support$15K
Naperville Respons for Our VeteransNaperville, ILOperational support$10K
United Spinal AssociationPalos Heights, ILOperational support$10K
Donka IncWheaton, ILOperational support$10K
Tri Cities Health DepartmentSt Charles, ILOperational support$7,000
GivenkindBuffalo Grove, ILOperational support$3,000
Burlingtom Senior Activity CenterBurlington, WIOperational support$3,000
KexpSeattle, WAOperational support$1,500
Doctors Without BordersHagerstown, MDOperational support$1,000
See TurtlesPortland, OROperational support$1,000
Bananas FosterSavannah, GAOperational support$1,000
Milwaukee PBSMilwaukee, WIOperational support$1,000
Northern Il FhnbAntioch, ILOperational support$1,000
Tails Humane SocietyDekalb, ILOperational support$1,000
Mote Marine LaboratorySarasota, FLOperational support$1,000

By state: Wisconsin 6 · Illinois 12 · Washington 1 · Maryland 1 · Oregon 1 · Georgia 1

About this foundation

Kara Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Libertyville, Illinois, tax-exempt since 1992. 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 Kara 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 Kara Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $425K across 23 grants, a median of $10K.

Where does Kara Foundation give?

Wisconsin (6 grants), Illinois (12 grants), Washington (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Libertyville

All in Illinois
FoundationBased inGrants paidMedian grantAccepts applicationsAssets
Vivo Foundationsince 2021 Libertyville, IL $11M130 grants · 2024 $43KPreselected only $183M
Sunshine Charitable Foundationsince 2005 Libertyville, IL $3.3M63 grants · 2024 $5,000Preselected only $115M
Kenneth Aldridge Family Foundationsince 2015 Libertyville, IL $2.0M31 grants · 2025 $15KPreselected only $42M
Landgraf Family Foundationsince 2019 Libertyville, IL $443K23 grants · 2024 $11KPreselected only $13M
Kelly Foundationsince 2014 Libertyville, IL $607K1 grants · 2025 $607KPreselected only $5.1M
John D & Minnie R Schneider Charitable Trustsince 1985 Libertyville, IL $380K8 grants · 2024 $35KPreselected only $5.0M
William R Johnson Family Foundationsince 2014 Libertyville, IL $268K29 grants · 2025 $10KPreselected only $4.1M
Kurtis Conservation Foundationsince 1997 Libertyville, IL — —Preselected only $3.2M
Email me matching grants