Private foundation · EIN 36-3796675 · Northbrook, Illinois

Cless 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: 24 grants paid, $3.1M total, median $28K. 75% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
24
$3.1M
Median grant
$28K
Stays in IL
75%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$19M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Schwab CharitableOrland, FLCharitable$1.2M
Northshore Hospitals FoundationEvanston, ILMedical research$825K
Glenview Youth ServicesGlenview, ILEducation$300K
The Brain Tumor Research CharityCharleston, SCMedical research$275K
Books & BreakfastEvanston, ILEducation$50K
Chicago Engineer's FoundationChicago, ILCharitable$50K
Foundation 65Evanston, ILEducation$50K
Matthias Academy CorporationBanet Lake, WIEducation$50K
Provenance Precision Medicine FoundationWilmette, ILMedical research$50K
The Chicago LighthouseChicago, ILCharitable$50K
Moran Center for Youth FoundationEvanston, ILCharitable$35K
Winnetka Public Schools FoundationWinnetka, ILEducation$30K
Childcare Network of EvanstonEvanston, ILChartibale$25K
Lincoln Park Public High SchoolChicago, ILEducation$25K
Northlight TheatreSkokie, ILCharitable$25K
Rose-Hulman Institute of TechnologyTerre Haute, INEducation$25K
Youth & Opportunity UnitedEvanston, ILCharitable$25K
Friends of Lincoln Park High SchoolChicago, ILEducation$17K
New Castle High SchoolNew Castle, INEducation$15K
Countryside Day SchoolNorthbrook, ILEducation$10K
Evanston GrowsEvanston, ILCharitable$5,000
Wolcott College PrepChicago, ILEducation$5,000
Horward L Rehs Memorial Fund for ALS ResearchArlington, VAMedical research$1,000
Illinois Institute of TechnologyChicago, ILEducation$1,000

By state: Illinois 18 · Florida 1 · South Carolina 1 · Wisconsin 1 · Indiana 2 · Virginia 1

About this foundation

Cless Family Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Northbrook, Illinois, administered in care of Ruth Cless, 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 Cless 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 Cless Family Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $3.1M across 24 grants, a median of $28K.

Where does Cless Family Foundation give?

Illinois (18 grants), Florida (1 grants), South Carolina (1 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Northbrook that accept applications

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