Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation
The Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation is a private foundation listed in the filing data in Paso Robles, California. Its website describes the foundation as a family foundation headquartered just outside Chicago and says it was established in 1996 by Albert J. Speh Jr. and Claire R. Speh.
Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation at a glance
In short: Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation gave $182K across 16 grants in 2025 (avg $11K), mostly in Illinois. 50% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $181,678
- +770.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 16
- +23.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $11,355
- +607.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $2,849
- Total assets
- $7,484,680
- +4.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 50% first-time grantees (8 of 16, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (79% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The website says the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; organizations should submit a brief LOI online before seeking a full proposal. The filing says requests must meet the eligibility and program requirements described above.
- Review Cycle
- The website’s LOI window of June 1–30, 2026, and full-proposal window of July 15–August 15, 2026, are past. The 2025 filing lists grant application deadlines of March 15 and July 15, with an LOI due 60 days before the applicable deadline.
- Deadline
- The website’s LOI window of June 1–30, 2026, and full-proposal window of July 15–August 15, 2026, are past.
- Contact
Application contact: Albert J And Claire R Speh Foundati
Mailing address: 83 Oak Creek Court, North Aurora, IL 60542
Phone: (847) 220-8246
Website: https://www.speh.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was By the Hand Club for Kids ($45K). Together the top 10 received $178K.
Grant Size Distribution
71 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 69 grants of 71 (97%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 filing requires requests to serve the Chicago metro region. In 2025, 79% of grant dollars went to Illinois recipients, 14% to Minnesota, 6% to California, and 1% to New York; Connecticut accounted for 0% as reported in the filing data. The website describes the foundation as having been established to help children in Chicago. Its 2025 grants also included recipients outside Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 16 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation open to new grantees?
50%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 16 grantees (50%) were first-time recipients. With only 16 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $6K; repeat grants $16K. How we count
Medians: $766 first-time, $10K repeat.
- 31% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving fell 24% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 112% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $21K (2024) to $240K (2022). In 2025 it made 16 grants totaling $182K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| By the Hand Club for Kids Chicago, IL | General Support | $45,000 |
| Target Hope Matteson, IL | General Support | $40,000 |
| College Possible Saint Paul, MN | General Support | $25,000 |
| Mercy Home for Boys and Girls Chicago, IL | Birthday Gifts | $21,325 |
| One Family Illinois Chicago, IL | General Support | $20,000 |
| The Bridge Teen Center Orland Park, IL | General Support | $15,000 |
| SLO County Recovery Center Request San Luis Obispo, CA | General Support | $4,442 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Santa Maria Santa Maria, CA | General Support | $3,000 |
| Golden Wolves Sports Association Atascadero, CA | General Support | $2,698 |
| Immaculate Conception Chicago, IL | General Support | $1,552 |
Ready to take the next step with Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $7,484,680 | $552,029 | $515,886 | $181,678 | 16 | $393,108 | $431,312 | $352,216 |
| 2024 | $7,141,592 | $411,795 | $335,804 | $20,865 | 13 | $212,406 | $291,364 | $341,496 |
| 2023 | $6,809,544 | $388,155 | $467,721 | $149,994 | 15 | $354,002 | $207,743 | $321,122 |
| 2022 | $6,498,685 | $218,775 | $595,701 | $240,496 | 13 | $453,003 | $91,807 | $332,359 |
| 2021 | $7,970,635 | $778,826 | $471,083 | $104,819 | 14 | $327,892 | $641,598 | $362,037 |
| 2020 | $7,657,664 | $296,841 | $482,385 | $106,712 | 9 | — | $147,094 | $333,304 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation reported a distributable amount of $352K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
Albert J. Speh’s legacy statement says the foundation aims to support organizations with a moral, ethical, and intellectual structure for the care of youth. The website also describes a focus on tackling challenges in American education and building tomorrow’s leaders. Its history page says the foundation narrowed its focus in 2003 to youth ages 13–19 and later developed a five-year plan to allocate more resources to organizations promoting innovative and tested education models.
The 2025 filing specifies that requests must be made by a 501(c)(3) organization, serve youth ages 13–19, and be in the Chicago metro region. It also requires strong community support, meaningful objectives, realistic budgets, competent leadership, and periodic program evaluation.
Examples of organizations receiving 2025 grants illustrate different kinds of grantees. By The Hand Club for Kids describes itself as a faith-based after-school program nurturing children’s minds, bodies, and souls. Target Hope says it enhances opportunities for minority students in Chicago-area public schools. College Possible describes its work as helping students from low-income backgrounds access and succeed in college through coaching and support. One Family Illinois says it works to keep siblings together in foster care, empower youth, nurture families, and support community development. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation made 16 grants totaling $181,678. Grant amounts ranged from $103 to $45,000, with a median of $2,849. Larger awards included $45,000 to By The Hand Club for Kids, $40,000 to Target Hope, $25,000 to College Possible, $21,325 to Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, and $20,000 to One Family Illinois. The stated purposes were generally support, with the Mercy Home award designated for birthday gifts.
The foundation’s website says it does not accept unsolicited grant proposals and asks interested organizations to begin with a brief letter of inquiry (LOI) describing the organization, proposed project, fit with a funding area or initiative, and estimated request. The website directs applicants to submit the LOI online; the board decides which applicants may proceed to a full proposal. The 2025 filing states that an LOI must be submitted 60 days before the grant application deadline, after which the foundation decides whether to request a grant application.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Alanna Andruszkiewicz as president, Lynette Wood as vice president, Shannon Dugan as secretary, and Lawrence J. Speh Jr. as treasurer. It lists Michelle Sharko, Lawrence J. Speh, Lorene Caravello, Brittney Sharko, Nathan Sharko, and Sarah Lowe as board members.
Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation is led by Alanna Andruszkiewicz, President since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 13 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Alanna Andruszkiewicz
President
Executive Director → Board Member, 2022
Board Member → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
39 hrs/week
$53K (2020) → $142K (2025)
Lawrence J. Speh
Board Member
Director → Chair of the Board, 2021
Chair of the Board → Board Member, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lorene Caravello
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lynette Wood
Vice President
Treasurer → Board President, 2022
Board President → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Sharko
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Brittney Sharko
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jessica Bennett
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Sharko
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nathan Sharko
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Lowe
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lawrence J. Speh Jr.
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shannon Dugan
Secretary
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emily Caravello
Board Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Jonathan Speh (2020–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Aj Speh V (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Jacob Sharko (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Michael Speh (2021–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Albert J. Speh IV (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Kevin Malinger (2020–2022) — Board Member
- Former: Kathleen Malinger (2020–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Shannon Neal (2020–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Jack Speh (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Erik Jorgensen (2020) — Director
- Former: Justin Bennett (2020) — Director
- Former: Matthew Sharko (2020) — Director
- Former: Megan Jorgensen (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $142K, to Alanna Andruszkiewicz (President).
Frequently asked questions about Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation
How much does Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation give each year?
Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation gave $182K across 16 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $21K across 13 grants.
What is Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation's typical grant size?
Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $2,849, and its average grant was $11,355, across 16 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation that year got $6K on average.
Where does Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation give grants?
Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 79% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Minnesota (14%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (5 grants) and San Luis Obispo, CA (2 grants).
Does Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 81% of Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (13 of 16) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation's largest grantees?
Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include By the Hand Club for Kids ($45,000), Target Hope ($40,000) and College Possible ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation?
Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation reported $7.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $393K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $352K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation fund?
Albert J. Speh’s legacy statement says the foundation aims to support organizations with a moral, ethical, and intellectual structure for the care of youth. The website also describes a focus on tackling challenges in American education and building tomorrow’s leaders. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation?
The website says the foundation does not accept unsolicited requests; organizations should submit a brief LOI online before seeking a full proposal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation's EIN?
Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4118596. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 9, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 12, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/albert-j-and-claire-r-speh-foundation-morg_e2a2045a5b0a48179fb795dd8305502b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364118596_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/albert-j-and-claire-r-speh-foundation-morg_e2a2045a5b0a48179fb795dd8305502b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Albert J and Claire R Speh Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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