Greer Foundation
The Greer Foundation is a private foundation based in Alsip, Illinois. It supports organizations working to help people improve their lives, with stated interests that include addressing violence, poverty and social injustice; protecting the earth’s ecology; and promoting effective healthcare.
Greer Foundation at a glance
In short: Greer Foundation gave $514K across 6 grants in 2024 (avg $86K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $513,500
- +28.1% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 6
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $85,583
- +28.1% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $47,500
- Total assets
- $32,133,603
- +5.3% vs 2023
- 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.
How to apply to Greer Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 4501 W 127Th Street Suite D, Alsip, IL 60803
Phone: (708) 385-6500
Website: https://greercharities.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Greer Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Lehigh University Chicago Scholars ($318K). Together the top 6 received $514K.
Grant Size Distribution
69 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 26 grants of 69 (38%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 85% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 15% to recipients in Pennsylvania. The filing reported 0% for New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Greer Foundation gives
- Giving fell 29% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 54% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $401K (2023) to $2.4M (2022). In 2024 it made 6 grants totaling $514K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Lehigh University Chicago Scholars Chicago, IL | 2024 Scholarships | $317,500 |
| Chicago Lights Chicago, IL | 2024 Scholarships | $85,000 |
| National Philanthropic Trust Jenkintown, PA | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $75,000 |
| The Fourth Presbyterian Church Chicago, IL | 2024 - Fall Grant - Replogle Center | $20,000 |
| Depaul University Chicago, IL | 2024 Scholarships | $15,000 |
| Columbia University New York, NY | Unrestricted Charitable Gift | $1,000 |
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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 | $32,133,603 | $2,362,771 | $876,355 | $513,500 | 6 | $789,555 | $2,330,084 | $1,473,090 |
| 2023 | $30,513,205 | $5,640,717 | $734,923 | $401,000 | 6 | $685,692 | $1,578,748 | $1,246,073 |
| 2022 | $25,637,812 | $3,329,299 | $2,634,961 | $2,392,383 | 27 | $2,591,830 | $284,467 | $1,190,185 |
| 2021 | $24,927,566 | $610,449 | $918,825 | $719,800 | 9 | $863,650 | $151,060 | $1,249,945 |
| 2020 | $25,238,351 | $1,981,896 | $1,934,427 | $1,723,522 | 21 | — | $459,249 | $1,240,493 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Greer Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.5M 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’s mission is to support programs that address the root causes of violence, poverty and social injustice, protect the ecology of the earth, promote effective healthcare—including psychological health and alternative medicine—and preserve Indigenous spiritual and healing practices. Its stated funding interests include domestic violence, disadvantaged youth, basic needs, emergency assistance and job training, health and wellness, and education and scholarships.
Examples of 2024 grantees include Chicago Lights, which describes its mission as building brighter futures for Chicago’s youth and adults through supportive relationships and programs, and DePaul University, which describes itself as a Catholic, Vincentian university focused on students’ integral human development.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported six grants totaling $513,500. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $317,500, with a median of $47,500. The largest grants included $317,500 to Lehigh University Chicago Scholars for scholarships, $85,000 to Chicago Lights for scholarships, and $75,000 to National Philanthropic Trust as an unrestricted charitable gift. Other listed grants were $20,000 to The Fourth Presbyterian Church for the Replogle Center, $15,000 to DePaul University for scholarships, and $1,000 to Columbia University as an unrestricted charitable gift.
In 2023, it reported six grants totaling $401,000. In 2022, it reported 27 grants totaling $2,392,383. Its 2024 filing, the latest on this page, reports 6 grants totaling $513,500.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Carl C. Greer as trustee, Donald Waterlander as Executive Director Emeritus, Lisa Sanchez as Executive Director, and Catalina Mendoza as Administrative Associate. The foundation’s staff page also lists Jennifer Clisham as Program Officer, Tina Maulino as Grant Systems Technology Officer, and Claudia Zavala and Jean Sheerin as Administrative Associates.
Greer Foundation is led by Lisa Sanchez, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2023); 3 of 4 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Lisa Sanchez
Executive Director
Chief Financial Officer → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2023
$66K (2023) → $90K (2024)
Carl C. Greer
Trustee & As Required
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Donald Waterlander
Executive Director Emeritus
Executive Director → Executive Director Emeritus, 2024
On filings since 2020
$66K (2020) → $51K (2024)
Catalina Mendoza
Administrative Associate
New on the 2024 filing
$36K (2024)
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 $90K, to Lisa Sanchez (Executive Director). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Greer Foundation
How much does Greer Foundation give each year?
Greer Foundation gave $514K across 6 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $401K across 6 grants.
What is Greer Foundation's typical grant size?
Greer Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $47,500, and its average grant was $85,583, across 6 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Greer Foundation give grants?
Greer 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 Pennsylvania (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (4 grants).
Does Greer Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 33% of Greer Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (2 of 6) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "2024 Scholarships" (3 grants).
Who are Greer Foundation's largest grantees?
Greer Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Lehigh University Chicago Scholars ($317,500), Chicago Lights ($85,000) and National Philanthropic Trust ($75,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 93% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Greer Foundation?
Greer Foundation reported $32.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $790K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.5M (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 Greer Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support programs that address the root causes of violence, poverty and social injustice, protect the ecology of the earth, promote effective healthcare—including psychological health and alternative medicine—and preserve Indigenous spiritual and healing practices. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Greer Foundation?
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Greer Foundation's EIN?
Greer Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 83-6080990. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Greer Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Figures come from Greer 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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