The Dauten Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 2014 and based in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by Kent and Liz Dauten, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with a focus on mental health and brain science. The foundation's work is rooted in personal experience—two of the Dautens' four children were diagnosed with bipolar disorder as teenagers, which shaped the foundation's strategic priorities and commitment to advancing mental health care and research.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$32.4M
+484.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$22.4M
+54.5% YoY
Grant Count
8
-20.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$2.8M
+93.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to promote mental health and ensure that those who suffer from mental illnesses can lead meaningful, productive, and happy lives.
Primary focus areas include:
- Mental Health & Brain Science: Particular emphasis on bipolar disorder research and treatment
- Basic Neuroscience: Investment in foundational brain science research
- Translational Research: Supporting research that moves from laboratory to clinical application
- Community Mental Health Organizations: Funding direct service providers
- Education & Stigma-Fighting Programs: Supporting awareness and destigmatization efforts
- Policy & Advocacy Work: Advancing mental health policy initiatives
- Education: Secondary focus area, particularly through support of Catholic schools in Chicago via the Big Shoulders Fund, which Kent Dauten co-chairs
Grantmaking
Grant Range
**: $25,000 - $9.3 million
How to Apply
**: The foundation does not appear to have a public website. Contact should be made through the phone number provided.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds initiatives across multiple U.S. cities and states, with particular concentration in:
- Primary Focus Cities: Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; and New York City
- Additional Locations: Arlington, Cambridge, Des Plaines, Los Angeles, Northfield, Rutherford, and Santa Monica
- States: California, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, Utah, and Virginia
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Assets: $32,412,441
- Total Revenue: $41,915,379
- Total Expenses: $22,636,227
- Total Liabilities: $0
2023 Financial Data:
- Annual Giving: $14,486,976
Historical Giving Trends:
- 2023: $31.4 million in grants (11 grants)
- 2022: $5.0 million in grants (13 grants)
- 2021: $3.2 million in grants (10 grants)
- 2020: $2.6 million in grants (7 grants)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $32,412,441 | $5,543,992 | $10,091,367 |
| Revenue | $41,915,379 | $8,254,309 | $9,274,872 |
| Expenses | $22,636,227 | $14,798,659 | $31,425,258 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $22,508,307 | $14,629,378 | $31,406,326 |
| Net Investment Income | $111,710 | $387,041 | $1,101,589 |
| Distributable Amount | $807,008 | $590,546 | $1,299,997 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 8 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
52 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Elizabeth D. Dauten: Director/President
- Kent P. Dauten: Director/VP/Treasurer
Board members serve without compensation. Kent Dauten serves as Board Chair of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance and co-chairs the Big Shoulders Fund.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELIZABETH D DAUTEN | DIRECTOR/PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| KENT P DAUTEN | DIRECTOR/ VP/ TREASURER | 1 | — |
| JENNA S TOAN | DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| AMANDA DAUTEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| BENJAMIN DAUTEN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| KATHERINE KALPIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made several transformational gifts in recent years:
**$25 Million to Northwestern Medicine (2025)**: Established the Northwestern Medicine Dauten Behavioral Health Institute
Dauten Family Gifts $25 Million to Launch the Northwestern ...**BD² Initiative**: Served as a founding partner in the $150 million Breakthrough Discoveries for thriving with Bipolar Disorder initiative
**Dauten Family Center for Bipolar Treatment Innovation**: The foundation supports ongoing research and current projects through this center
Our Research - Dauten Family Center for Bipolar Treatment Innovation**2025 Big Shoulders Fund Humanitarian Award**: Kent and Liz Dauten were recognized as recipients of this award for their values-driven giving and investment approach
Contact Information
Address: 155 N Wacker Dr Ste 4150, Chicago, IL 60606-1788
Phone: 312-219-7970
EIN: 46-5053786
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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