Comer Science & Education Foundation
The Comer Science & Education Foundation is a private foundation based in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Incorporated in 1998, it was established to fund organizations in education, environment, and health. In 2013, it and the Comer Foundation came together to create the Comer Family Foundation.
Comer Science & Education Foundation at a glance
In short: Comer Science & Education Foundation gave $842K across 9 grants in 2024 (avg $94K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $841,546
- -85.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 9
- -25.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $93,505
- -80.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $68,664,382
- +4.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (81% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to Comer Science & Education Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 20935 Swenson Drive Suite 125, Waukesha, WI 53186
Phone: (262) 798-5080
Website: https://comerfamilyfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Comer Science & Education Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Gary Comer Youth Center ($300K). Together the top 9 received $842K.
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 35 grants of 56 (63%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, grant dollars were reported as going to recipients in Illinois (81%), Maine (18%), and Nebraska (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 9 itemized grants.
Cities
How Comer Science & Education Foundation gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+12%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 505% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $753K (2021) to $5.9M (2023). In 2024 it made 9 grants totaling $842K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Gary Comer Youth Center Chicago, IL | General Support | $300,000 |
| Network for Young Adult Success Chicago, IL | General Support | $300,000 |
| University of Maine System Farmington, ME | General Support | $147,879 |
| South Shore Drill Team Chicago, IL | General Support | $66,667 |
| Central High School Foundation Omaha, NE | General Support | $15,000 |
| Champs Male Mentoring Chicago, IL | General Support | $5,000 |
| Operation Neighborhood Safety Chicago, IL | General Support | $5,000 |
| University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, IL | General Support | $1,000 |
| Do for Self Community Development Corporation Chicago, IL | General Support | $1,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $68,664,382 | $4,614,601 | $4,882,358 | $841,546 | 9 | $1,953,044 | $609,211 | $386,563 |
| 2023 | $65,836,691 | $2,583,611 | $8,698,694 | $5,850,713 | 12 | $4,625,175 | $367,246 | $346,373 |
| 2022 | $72,715,394 | $2,073,869 | $10,309,461 | $4,377,348 | 14 | $1,751,994 | $256,816 | $421,453 |
| 2021 | $78,906,538 | $1,965,731 | $7,382,091 | $752,744 | 9 | $1,335,348 | $139,929 | $528,907 |
| 2020 | $83,339,900 | $3,013,629 | $8,753,239 | $3,393,945 | 12 | — | $67,952 | $501,118 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Comer Science & Education Foundation reported a distributable amount of $387K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation was incorporated to support organizations in education, environment, and health. The Comer Family Foundation also identifies culture as a funding field.
Two 2024 grantees illustrate support for youth and young adults. Gary Comer Youth Center says it prepares youth ages 11–24 for college, careers, and the future through academic support, career readiness, and enrichment. Network for Young Adult Success says its mission is to help young adults attain degrees and prepare for careers.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported nine grants totaling $841,546. Awards ranged from $1,000 to $300,000, with a median of $15,000. The largest grants were $300,000 each to Gary Comer Youth Center and Network for Young Adult Success, both in Chicago, and $147,879 to the University of Maine System in Farmington. Each was reported for general support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Gregory Mooney as vice president and executive director; Guy Comer as president and director; Stephanie Comer as vice president and director; William T Schleicher Jr as secretary and director; Vicki Kalnins as treasurer; and Alex Hustad as assistant secretary.
Comer Science & Education Foundation is led by Guy Comer, President & Director on every filing since 2020; 2 of 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Guy Comer
President & Director
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$45K (2020) → $47K (2024)
Gregory Mooney
Vice President & Executive Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$286K (2021) → $336K (2024)
Stephanie Comer
Vice President & Director
Vice President & Director → Director, 2021
Director → Vice President & Director, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
William T. Schleicher Jr.
Secretary & Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Vicki Kalnins
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Alex Hustad
Assistant Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $336K, to Gregory Mooney (VP & Executive Director). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Comer Science & Education Foundation
How much does Comer Science & Education Foundation give each year?
Comer Science & Education Foundation gave $842K across 9 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $5.9M across 12 grants.
What is Comer Science & Education Foundation's typical grant size?
Comer Science & Education Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $93,505, across 9 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Comer Science & Education Foundation give grants?
Comer Science & Education Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 81% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Maine (18%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (7 grants).
Does Comer Science & Education Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Comer Science & Education Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (9 of 9) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Comer Science & Education Foundation's largest grantees?
Comer Science & Education Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Gary Comer Youth Center ($300,000), Network for Young Adult Success ($300,000) and University of Maine System ($147,879), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 89% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Comer Science & Education Foundation?
Comer Science & Education Foundation reported $68.7M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $387K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Comer Science & Education Foundation fund?
The foundation was incorporated to support organizations in education, environment, and health. The Comer Family Foundation also identifies culture as a funding field. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Comer Science & Education Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Comer Science & Education Foundation's EIN?
Comer Science & Education Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4244783. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Comer Science & Education 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
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 22, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 13, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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