Esper A Petersen Foundation
The Esper A Petersen Foundation is a private family foundation incorporated in Illinois in 1944 and granted tax-exempt status in May 1961. Based in Grayslake, Illinois, the foundation provides philanthropic support to nonprofit organizations across multiple sectors and geographic regions.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$741K
+7.5% YoY
Grant Count
42
+23.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$18K
-13.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary funding interests include:
- Education
- Health and healthcare delivery
- Social services
- Arts and culture
- Children and youth
- Historic preservation
- Reproductive health
- Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking
- Human services
- Community health
The foundation also provides support to advance the survival and continuity of Israel and the Jewish people.
Grantmaking
The foundation provides general operating support and project support to nonprofit organizations.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds nonprofit organizations in the Los Angeles, California metropolitan area, with additional grantmaking activity in California, Illinois, and Florida.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $6,839,449
- Total revenues: $1,116,977
- Total expenses: $1,239,813
- Number of employees: 0
| 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 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
158 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Schwab Charitable ($178,000), Bear Valley Comm Healthcare Dist Fo ($80,000), Madison Project at Santa Monica Col ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Villa Esperanza Pasadena, CA | Provide for special needs children, adults and their families | $1,000 |
| Los Angeles Opera Los Angeles, CA | Support the opera's educational and community programs | $35,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, CA | Provide affordable access to a full range of reproductive health care | $15,000 |
| Cedars Sinai Medical Center Los Angeles, CA | Provide affordable health care | $40,000 |
| Salvation Army Oxnard, CA | Support the adult rehabilitation center | $30,000 |
| Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Los Angeles, CA | Support orchestra's education and outreach programs | $10,000 |
| Madison Project at Santa Monica Col Santa Monica, CA | To support education programs for the Broad Stage. | $50,000 |
| Friends of Robinson Gardens Beverly Hills, CA | To support preservation and promotion of the historical estate for the education and enjoyment of the general public | $19,250 |
| Ganna Walska Lotusland Santa Barbara, CA | To help provide the gardens and home of Lotusland as a place for the public to enjoy as a botanical destination and a learning experience | $2,000 |
| Women's Guild Los Angeles, CA | To support programs at Cedars Sinai Medical Centers | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Esper A Petersen | Dir/President | 5 | $5,000 |
| Ann Petersen | Dir/VP | 5 | $5,000 |
| Esper A Petersen III | Director | 1 | $2,000 |
| Stephanie Gullo | Secretary | 1 | $1,000 |
| Jennifer Ashworth | Asst Secretary | 1 | $1,000 |
| Adam Morley | Treasurer | 1 | $1,000 |
Contact Information
Address: 1 E Belvidere Road Grayslake, IL 60030-2438
Telephone: 847-336-0900
EIN: 36-6125570
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Esper A Petersen Foundation fund?
The foundation's primary funding interests include: • Education • Health and healthcare delivery • Social services • Arts and culture • Children and youth • Historic preservation • Reproductive health • Philanthropy, voluntarism, and grantmaking • Human services • Community health The foundation also provides support to advance the survival and continuity of Israel and the Jewish people.
How do I apply for a grant from Esper A Petersen Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 29 grants in 2024 • Total giving in 2024: $741,050 • Typical grant awards range from $300 to $224,000 **Types of Support:** The foundation provides general operating support and project support to nonprofit organizations. **Recent Grants (2024):** • VC Colab Foundation: $50,000 (to advance education and science, combat community deterioration, and lessen the burdens of government) • Women's Guild Cedars-Sinai Medical Center: $40,000 (to provide affordable health care)…
Where does Esper A Petersen Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds nonprofit organizations in the Los Angeles, California metropolitan area, with additional grantmaking activity in California, Illinois, and Florida.
What size grants does Esper A Petersen Foundation award?
In 2024, Esper A Petersen Foundation awarded 42 grants totaling $741K — an average of about $18K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Esper A Petersen Foundation's EIN?
Esper A Petersen Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6125570. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Esper A Petersen 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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