Fred J Brunner Foundation
The Fred J Brunner Foundation is a private foundation based in Bensenville, Illinois. It makes grants to tax-exempt charitable organizations, primarily in health and education.
Fred J Brunner Foundation at a glance
In short: Fred J Brunner Foundation gave $1.6M across 80 grants in 2024 (avg $20K), mostly in Illinois. 6% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,591,000
- -2.5% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 80
- +1.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $19,888
- -3.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $15,000
- Total assets
- $31,936,896
- -1.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (5 of 78, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (85% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Fred J Brunner Foundation
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Applicants may submit an application in any format that clearly describes the organization and the purpose of the request. Applicants must also provide an affidavit that the organization qualifies as a non-private foundation, a photocopy of its most recent IRS determination letter, and current financial statements. The foundation makes grants only to tax-exempt charitable organizations, primarily in health and education.
- Review Cycle
- August 1 of any calendar year.
- Deadline
- August 1 of any calendar year.
- Contact
Application contact: Michele Cronin Director
Mailing address: 300 Evergreen Street, Bensenville, IL 60106
Phone: (847) 678-3232
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Fred J Brunner Foundation
Who Fred J Brunner Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Salvation Army ($80K). Together the top 10 received $480K.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($80,000), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
452 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 429 grants of 452 (95%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 85% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois. The remaining shares were distributed to recipients in Arkansas (6%), Alabama (3%), Colorado (2%), and Wisconsin (2%). The foundation’s grant program description identifies the greater Chicago area as its primary recipient location, with exceptions.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 80 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Fred J Brunner Foundation open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 5 of 78 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $17K; repeat grants $21K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 92% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−12%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 94% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.5M (2020) to $1.9M (2022). In 2024 it made 80 grants totaling $1.6M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Salvation Army Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Organization Support | $80,000 |
| Aspire Hillside, IL | Health & Wellness Education | $75,000 |
| Pillars-Constance Morris House La Grange, IL | Provide shelter, care, and outreach to survivors of domestic violence | $75,000 |
| Center for Independent Futures Evanston, IL | Funding for Electronic Curriculum for Disabled | $50,000 |
| Saban Center Tuscaloosa, AL | Develop a STEM Education Program | $50,000 |
| Chicago Jesuit Academy Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Organization Support | $30,000 |
| Christ the King College Prep Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Organization Support | $30,000 |
| Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Organization Support | $30,000 |
| Misericordia Heart of Mercy Chicago, IL | Unrestricted Organization Support | $30,000 |
| Northern Illinois Food Bank Geneva, IL | Purchasing food for emergencies and distribution to food pantries | $30,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $31,936,896 | $1,528,706 | $2,014,351 | $1,591,000 | 80 | $1,831,945 | $1,346,300 | $1,957,133 |
| 2023 | $32,437,362 | $2,859,024 | $2,105,602 | $1,631,000 | 79 | $1,897,027 | $2,650,449 | $1,816,611 |
| 2022 | $31,668,610 | $1,219,572 | $2,428,321 | $1,950,000 | 98 | $2,220,299 | $1,011,550 | $1,917,703 |
| 2021 | $32,887,922 | $1,985,869 | $2,297,126 | $1,810,000 | 99 | $2,090,984 | $1,779,727 | $2,100,132 |
| 2020 | $32,684,759 | $1,253,098 | $1,918,260 | $1,465,750 | 96 | — | $1,061,122 | $1,885,186 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Fred J Brunner Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not state a formal mission in the available information. Its filing says it makes grants primarily in health and education. Its grant program description also identifies education, shelter, and hunger as guiding areas.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the kinds of organizations receiving support. Center for Independent Futures says it creates solutions for independent living for people with disabilities. Northern Illinois Food Bank says it provides meals and access to nutritious food through a network of food pantries and programs. Common Pantry says it meets local emergency needs with healthy food and support. Little Sisters of the Poor says it provides financial assistance to homes serving older adults, while Children’s Advocacy Center says it helps and heals children and families affected by abuse and neglect.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 80 grants totaling $1,591,000. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $80,000, with a median of $15,000. The foundation’s program description says grants are distributed once a year in the fall and that recipients may reapply each year.
Among the 2024 grants were $80,000 to The Salvation Army in Chicago for unrestricted organizational support; $75,000 to Aspire in Hillside for health and wellness education; $75,000 to Pillars-Constance Morris House in La Grange for shelter, care, and outreach to survivors of domestic violence; and $50,000 to Center for Independent Futures for an electronic curriculum for people with disabilities. Other grants included $50,000 to Saban Center for a STEM education program and $30,000 to Northern Illinois Food Bank for purchasing and distributing emergency food.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Fred M Brunner as president/director, Robert B Wolf as secretary/treasurer, and Michele Cronin as vice president/director. The application instructions identify Michele Cronin as the contact for grant applications.
Fred J Brunner Foundation is led by Fred M. Brunner, President & Director on every filing since 2020; all 3 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Fred M. Brunner
President & Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$26K (2020) → $50K (2024)
Michele Cronin
Vice President & Director
Director → Vice President & Director, 2023
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$28K (2023) → $50K (2024)
Robert B. Wolf
Secretary & Treasurer
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
$33K (2023) → $28K (2024)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Pamela Schwegel (2020–2023) — Former Vice President & Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $50K, to Fred M Brunner (Pres/Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Fred J Brunner Foundation
How much does Fred J Brunner Foundation give each year?
Fred J Brunner Foundation gave $1.6M across 80 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $1.6M across 79 grants.
What is Fred J Brunner Foundation's typical grant size?
Fred J Brunner Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $15,000, and its average grant was $19,888, across 80 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Fred J Brunner Foundation that year got $17K on average.
Where does Fred J Brunner Foundation give grants?
Fred J Brunner Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Arkansas (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (39 grants), Evanston, IL (2 grants), Fayetteville, AR (2 grants) and Geneva, IL (2 grants).
Does Fred J Brunner Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 38% of Fred J Brunner Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (30 of 80) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Fred J Brunner Foundation's largest grantees?
Fred J Brunner Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Salvation Army ($80,000), Aspire ($75,000) and Pillars-Constance Morris House ($75,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 3 grants to individuals ($80,000), which are not listed by name. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Fred J Brunner Foundation?
Fred J Brunner Foundation reported $31.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.8M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.0M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does Fred J Brunner Foundation fund?
The foundation does not state a formal mission in the available information. Its filing says it makes grants primarily in health and education. Its grant program description also identifies education, shelter, and hunger as guiding areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Fred J Brunner Foundation?
The foundation does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 14, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Fred J Brunner Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/fred-j-brunner-foundation-morg_8350108f5e554900a470b1680fdb0b0f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366066471_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Fred J Brunner Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/fred-j-brunner-foundation-morg_8350108f5e554900a470b1680fdb0b0f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Fred J Brunner Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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