Deering Foundation logo

Deering Foundation

CHICAGO, IL EIN: 36-6051876 Website

The Deering Foundation is an independent private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Incorporated in 1956 and tax-exempt since March 1958, the foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to philanthropic grantmaking across multiple sectors and geographic regions.

Financial Overview

From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

Annual Giving

$1.0M

+0.0% YoY

Grant Count

9

+0.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$112K

+0.0% YoY

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated April 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

The foundation focuses on funding initiatives in the following areas:

  • Arts and culture
  • Education
  • Higher education
  • Philanthropy and foundations
  • Human services

Grantmaking

The foundation is open to new applicants, with approximately 12% of new applicants receiving funding.

Grant Range

$489

Average Grant

$489

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Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

The foundation supports projects across multiple states and cities, including:

  • States: Florida, Hawaii, Illinois
  • Cities: Chicago, Evanston, Maitland, Miami, Wailuku

Grant Distribution by State

3states

Cities

CHICAGOEVANSTONMAITLANDMIAMIWAILUKU

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

As of 2024:

  • Total assets: $23.4 million
  • Total liabilities: $178,000
  • Annual revenue: $1.54 million
  • Annual expenses: $1.1 million
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$0.275$0.55$0.8250000000000001$1.120202021202220232024
Metric202420232022
Total Assets
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
Distributable Amount

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$251K$503K$754K$1M8 grants20208 grants20219 grants20229 grants20239 grants2024

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 9 recipients in 2024

GIBBET HILL FOUNDATION$200KJAMES D DANIELSON FOUNDA…$200KTHE DANIELSON FOUNDATION$200KVIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDE…$115KNORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY …$115KDEERING ESTATE FOUNDATION$115KNATIONAL AUDUBON SOCIETY$30KART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO…$25KGREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEP…$5K

Grant Size Distribution

43 grants across all recorded years

13<$50K2$50–100K28$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

No grants recorded for .

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The foundation's leadership team serves without compensation and includes:

  • Robert J. Venable — President/Director
  • Candida D. Burnap — Vice President/Director
  • Jocelyn D. Tennille — Vice President/Director
  • Additional directors and officers

Contact Information:

  • Address: 410 N Michigan Ave Ste 590, Chicago, IL 60611-4220
  • Telephone: 312-644-6720

Compensation Overview

From 2024 IRS filing

From 2024 filing

NameTitleHoursCompensation
ROBERT J VENABLEPRESIDENT/DIRECTOR
CANDIDA D BURNAPVICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR
JOCELYN D TENNILLEVICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR
STEPHEN M STRACHANDIRECTOR
CHARLES E SEITZDIRECTOR
SUSAN D PATTOCKSECRETARY/TREASURER
DAVID FUECHTMANASST SEC./ASST TREAS.

Related Funders

Similar funders by location and focus area

Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.

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