Private foundation · EIN 47-6807414 · Buffalo Grove, Illinois · Philanthropy & grantmaking

Wayne and Nan Kocourek 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: 35 grants paid, $16M total, median $100K. 23% of grants stayed in Illinois.

Accepts applications
No
per 990-PF Part XV
Grants paid, 2025
35
$16M
Median grant
$100K
Stays in IL
23%
of grants
Deadline
—
Assets
$115M

Grants paid in 2025

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

RecipientPurposeAmount
Big Sky BraveryBozeman, MTTo support operational and program expenses.$5.0M
Paws ChicagoChicago, ILTo support operational and program expenses.$2.6M
Auction Napa ValleySt Helena, CATo support operational and program expenses.$1.2M
Myriad USA FoundationNew York, NYTo support operational and program expenses.$1.2M
V-FoundationCary, NCTo support operational and program expenses.$1.1M
Maui Health FoundationWailuku, HITo support operational and program expenses.$1.0M
Republic GuardChicago, ILTo support operational and program expenses.$1.0M
Boys & Girls Club of ChicagoChicago, ILTo support operational and program expenses.$375K
Emeril Lagrasse FoundationNew Orleans, LATo support operational and program expenses.$267K
Boys & Girls Club of Cedar RapidsCedar Rapids, IATo support operational and program expenses.$205K
Tanager PlaceCedar Rapids, IATo support operational and program expenses.$200K
Waypoint ServicesCedar Rapids, IATo support operational and program expenses.$200K
Josiah VentureWheaton, IDTo support operational and program expenses.$150K
Maui Arts and Cultural CenterKahului, HITo support operational and program expenses.$125K
Valley of the King Sanctuary & RetreatSharon, WITo support operational and program expenses.$110K
Xavier High School FoundationCedar Rapids, IATo support operational and program expenses.$105K
Assistant Dogs of HawaiiMakawao, HITo support operational and program expenses.$101K
The Chosen and Dearly Loved FoundationDenver, COTo support operational and program expenses.$100K
St Luke's Health Care FoundationWheaton, ILTo support operational and program expenses.$100K
Thrive ChurchManhattan, ILTo support operational and program expenses.$100K
Don't Ever Give UpCary, NCTo support operational and program expenses.$61K
Barrington Children's CharitiesBarrington, ILTo support operational and program expenses.$50K
The Chicago LighthouseChicago, ILTo support operational and program expenses.$50K
Chicago Academy for the ArtsChicago, ILTo support operational and program expenses.$50K
Community Foundation of South AlabamaMobile, ALTo support operational and program expenses.$50K
French Institute-Alliance FrancaiseNew York, NYTo support operational and program expenses.$37K
Hui No'eau Visual Arts CenterMakawao, HITo support operational and program expenses.$30K
National Council on Youth LeadershipWest Iberty, IATo support operational and program expenses.$25K
Holiday Home CampWilliams Bay, WITo support operational and program expenses.$25K
Global Council on Youth LeadershipMilwaukee, WITo support operational and program expenses.$25K
Haku Baldwin CenterMakawao, HITo support operational and program expenses.$25K
Sarcoma Foundation of AmericaDamascus, MDTo support operational and program expenses.$10K
William Guy Forbeck Research FoundationCarbondale, COTo support operational and program expenses.$10K
Maui Youth RanchKula, HITo support operational and program expenses.$5,000
Cedar Valley Basketball ClubCedar Falls, IATo support operational and program expenses.$5,000

By state: Montana 1 · Illinois 8 · Hawaii 6 · New York 2 · California 1 · North Carolina 2

About this foundation

Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, administered in care of Wayne C Kocourek, tax-exempt since 2015. 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 Wayne and Nan Kocourek 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 Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation give each year?

In tax year 2025 it paid $16M across 35 grants, a median of $100K.

Where does Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation give?

Montana (1 grants), Illinois (8 grants), Hawaii (6 grants) and elsewhere, per its latest filing.

More foundations near Buffalo Grove that accept applications

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Irving and Phyllis Millstein Foundation for Animal Welfare Ltdsince 2017 Buffalo Grove, IL $1.5M33 grants · 2024 $40KPreselected only $29M
Night Owl Foundationsince 2008 Buffalo Grove, IL $1.2M5 grants · 2024 —Preselected only $13M
Ream Foundationsince 2009 Buffalo Grove, IL $3.1M1 grants · 2024 $3.1MYes $6.5M
Dream Makerz Foundationsince 2007 Buffalo Grove, IL $376K1 grants · 2024 $376KPreselected only $5.0M
New Visions Foundationssince 1999 Buffalo Grove, IL $599K1 grants · 2024 $599KPreselected only $1.2M
Howard G Buffett Foundationsince 1999 Decatur, IL $699M1 grants · 2025 $699MPreselected only $721M
John D & Catherine T Macarthur Foundationsince 1971 Chicago, IL $356M1,086 grants · 2024 $160KPreselected only $8.7B
Arie and Ida Crown Memorialsince 1962 Chicago, IL $115M897 grants · 2024 $55KYes $2.4B
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