Fred J Brunner Foundation
The Fred J Brunner Foundation is a private grantmaking foundation incorporated in Illinois in 1955 and granted tax-exempt status in August 1957. Based in Bensenville, Illinois, the foundation was established by Fred J. Brunner, the third-generation director of Brunner & Lay Inc., a manufacturer of mining and construction tools. The foundation focuses on supporting organizations that serve vulnerable populations, particularly the young and elderly, through grants in education, health, shelter, and hunger relief.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$1.6M
-2.5% YoY
Grant Count
80
+1.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$20K
-3.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission centers on helping vulnerable populations, with particular emphasis on:
- Education
- Health and wellness
- Shelter and housing
- Hunger relief
- Religion (with particular emphasis on Catholic and Christian organizations)
- Human services
- Child welfare
The foundation operates without regard to race, creed, or ethnicity and allows all recipients to reapply each year.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$5,000 to $150,000
Review Cycle
August 1
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily serves the greater Chicago area and Illinois, though exceptions are made. The foundation also funds organizations in Arkansas and Wisconsin, and supports initiatives across the United States, including major urban areas and smaller communities.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $31.9 million to $32.4 million
- Annual Revenue: $1.5 million
- Annual Expenses: $2.0 million
- Total Giving: $1.6 million to $1.9 million annually
- Total Liabilities: $509
Staff: 2 employees
| 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
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Fred J Brunner Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Aspire ($75,000), Center for Independent Futures ($50,000), Chicago Jesuit Academy ($30,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ALLIANCE FRANCAIS DE CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | EXPAND FRENCH LANGUAGE SKILLS | $25,000 |
| ASPIRE HILLSIDE, IL | HEALTH & WELLNESS EDUCATION | $75,000 |
| ASPIRTECH HIGHLAND PARK, IL | EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM | $25,000 |
| AVENUE TO INDEPENDENCE PARK RIDGE, IL | NURSING SERVICES FOR ADULTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS | $10,000 |
| BROTHER RICE HS CHICAGO, IL | UNRESTRICTED ORGANIZATION SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT FUTURES EVANSTON, IL | FUNDING FOR ELECTRONIC CURRICULUM FOR DISABLED | $50,000 |
| CHICAGO ACADEMY FOR SCIENCE KIDS CHICAGO, IL | UNRESTRICTED ORGANIZATION SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| CHICAGO JESUIT ACADEMY CHICAGO, IL | UNRESTRICTED ORGANIZATION SUPPORT | $30,000 |
| CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE FOR THE BLIND CHICAGO, IL | HELP PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND, VISUALLY IMPARED, DISABLED AND VETERANS | $10,000 |
| CHILDRENS ADVOCACY CENTER CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT TO CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL ABUSE | $20,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Fred M. Brunner – President/Director
- Robert B. Wolf – Secretary/Treasurer
- Michele Cronin – Vice President/Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRED M BRUNNER | PRES/DIRECTOR | 5 | $50,000 |
| ROBERT B WOLF | SECY/TREAS | 10 | $27,600 |
| MICHELE CRONIN | VP/DIRECTOR | 10 | $50,000 |
Contact Information
- Website: www.fredjbrunnerfoundation.com
- Phone: 847-678-3232
- Address: 300 Evergreen Ave, Bensenville, IL 60106-2504
- EIN: 36-6066471
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Fred J Brunner Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission centers on helping vulnerable populations, with particular emphasis on: • **Education** • **Health and wellness** • **Shelter and housing** • **Hunger relief** • **Religion** (with particular emphasis on Catholic and Christian organizations) • **Human services** • **Child welfare** The foundation operates without regard to race, creed, or ethnicity and allows all recipients to reapply each year.
How do I apply for a grant from Fred J Brunner Foundation?
**Grant Characteristics:** • Grant range: $5,000 to $150,000 • Median grant: $10,000 to $15,000 • Annual grants awarded: Approximately 80-106 grants per year • Application deadline: August 1 • Decision timeline: Approximately 3 months; grants distributed in fall **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • Aspire of Illinois: $75,000 (Health & Wellness Education) • Center for Independent Futures (CIF): $50,000 (Electronic Curriculum for Disabled) • Christ the King Jesuit College Preparatory School: $30,…
Where does Fred J Brunner Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily serves the greater Chicago area and Illinois, though exceptions are made. The foundation also funds organizations in Arkansas and Wisconsin, and supports initiatives across the United States, including major urban areas and smaller communities.
What size grants does Fred J Brunner Foundation award?
In 2024, Fred J Brunner Foundation awarded 80 grants totaling $1.6M — an average of about $20K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Fred J Brunner Foundation's EIN?
Fred J Brunner Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6066471. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Fred J Brunner 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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