Comer Science & Education Foundation
The Comer Science & Education Foundation is a private family foundation incorporated in 1998 and headquartered in Waukesha, Wisconsin. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization designated as a private grantmaking foundation. The foundation was created to provide funding for organizations in the fields of education, environment, and health. It operates as part of the broader Comer philanthropic legacy, which traces its roots to Gary Comer, founder of the Lands' End clothing company.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$842K
-85.6% YoY
Grant Count
9
-25.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$94K
-80.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is dedicated to seeding ideas and supporting innovative programs that make a lasting and positive impact on the lives of individuals and their communities. Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education
- Science and STEM education
- Human services
- Philanthropy and grantmaking
The foundation has a particular emphasis on innovative programs in urban education. It supports organizations working in education, with a notable focus on science and teacher education initiatives.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 12 grants in its most recent reporting year. Typical grant awards range from $500 to $2,745,000. Recent grant activity includes:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on:
- Illinois
- Nebraska
- Maine
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $68,664,382
- Total Revenues: $4,614,601
- Total Expenses: $4,882,358
- Total Giving: $393,667
- Number of Employees: 10
Historical Financial Data (2023):
- Total Assets: $65.8M
- Total Revenues: $2.58M
- Total Expenses: $8.7M
- Total Liabilities: $17.7M
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 9 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Gary Comer Youth Center ($300,000), Network for Young Adult Success ($300,000), University of Maine System ($147,879).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION OMAHA, NE | GENERAL SUPPORT | $15,000 |
| CHAMPS MALE MENTORING CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| GARY COMER YOUTH CENTER CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $300,000 |
| NETWORK FOR YOUNG ADULT SUCCESS CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $300,000 |
| OPERATION NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| SOUTH SHORE DRILL TEAM CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $66,667 |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF MAINE SYSTEM FARMINGTON, ME | GENERAL SUPPORT | $147,879 |
| DO FOR SELF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT | $1,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| GREGORY MOONEY | VP & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $335,579 |
| GUY COMER | PRES. AND DIR. | 20 | $47,025 |
| STEPHANIE COMER | VICE PRES. & DIR. | 1 | — |
| WILLIAM T SCHLEICHER JR | SEC. & DIR. | 1 | — |
| VICKI KALNINS | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| ALEX HUSTAD | ASSISTANT SEC. | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has supported several recent initiatives:
Provided a $87,000 community impact grant to the Sparks Foundation at Wallace Community College
Wallace Sparks Campus Receives $87K Scholarship Grant - Wiregrass Daily NewsSupported climate science education through funding for innovative coursework designed to inspire the next generation of scientists
Inspiring The Next Generation Of Scientists to Solve the Problems of TomorrowLed the Xchange Chicago initiative in partnership with SDI Presence and P33, creating tech workforce hubs accessible to Chicagoans with training, wrap-around services, and direct pathways into apprenticeships and jobs
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Comer Science & Education Foundation fund?
The foundation is dedicated to seeding ideas and supporting innovative programs that make a lasting and positive impact on the lives of individuals and their communities. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education • Science and STEM education • Human services • Philanthropy and grantmaking The foundation has a particular emphasis on innovative programs in urban education. It supports organizations working in education, with a notable focus on science and teacher education initiatives.
How do I apply for a grant from Comer Science & Education Foundation?
The foundation made 12 grants in its most recent reporting year. Typical grant awards range from $500 to $2,745,000. Recent grant activity includes: • $87,000 community impact grant to the Sparks Foundation • Support for organizations including the Gary Comer Youth Center • Funding for science education initiatives The foundation generates rental income from Noble Network Charter Schools (NNCS), a college preparatory charter school, through properties owned by wholly-owned subsidiaries: Gary Co…
Where does Comer Science & Education Foundation make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses primarily on: • Illinois • Nebraska • Maine
What size grants does Comer Science & Education Foundation award?
In 2024, Comer Science & Education Foundation awarded 9 grants totaling $842K — an average of about $94K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Comer Science & Education Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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