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
Ready to take the next step with Fred J Brunner Foundation?
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
No grants recorded for .
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
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Fred J Brunner Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities