James P and Brenda S Grusecki Family
The James P and Brenda S Grusecki Family Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2002 and based in Chicago, Illinois. As a 501(c)(3) organization, it operates as a grantmaking foundation focused on supporting nonprofit initiatives across multiple sectors.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$32.6M
+4.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.8M
+13.3% YoY
Grant Count
49
-10.9% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$36K
+27.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, James P and Brenda S Grusecki Family reported a distributable amount of $1.6M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation's purpose is to fund programs and initiatives in the following primary areas:
- Education — ranging from pre-school to after-school to public and private education
- Performing Arts — with particular emphasis on theater
- Housing and Social Services — including transformational housing initiatives
- Women's Issues
- Mental Health
The Foundation shows special interest in programs that combine these fields, particularly those introducing targeted underserved populations to performing arts. Recent grant activity indicates additional funding interests in veteran support, suicide prevention outreach, and support for single parents with dependents.
Grantmaking
Average Grant
amount: approximately $2,088
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation primarily funds organizations in the Chicago, Illinois area, with some grants extending to California and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets and Resources:
- Total assets (2024): $32,634,865
- Total assets (2023): $31,203,519
- Total revenues (2024): $1,917,318
- Total expenses (2024): $1,997,889
- Total liabilities (2023): $55,900
Tax Status:
- Tax-exempt since February 2003
- EIN: 16-1639401
- Files Form 990-PF annually
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $32,634,865 | $31,203,519 | $24,964,358 |
| Revenue | $1,917,318 | $4,701,799 | $-6,152,354 |
| Expenses | $1,997,889 | $1,673,606 | $1,240,678 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,852,782 | $1,545,015 | $1,087,355 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,698,871 | $3,119,906 | $1,195,191 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,608,713 | $1,353,341 | $1,309,574 |
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
241 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Planned Parenthood of Illinois ($200,000), Theatre Aspen ($60,000), Chicago Shakespeare Theater ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN BLUES THEATER CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $30,000 |
| AMERICAN BLUES THEATER CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| BREAKTHROUGH URBAN MINISTRIES CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $40,000 |
| CALIFORNIA ENVIROMENTAL JUSTICE ALLIANCE CORONA, CA | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| CARA COLLECTIVE CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $40,000 |
| CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | PER AWARD LETTER | $45,000 |
| CHICAGO FOUNDATION FOR WOMEN CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $40,000 |
| CHICAGO JESUIT ACADEMY CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT | $35,000 |
| CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL OPERATIONS | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES P GRUSECKI | VP/TRES/DIR | 16 | — |
| BRENDA S GRUSECKI | PRES/SEC/DIR | 16 | — |
| ROBERT D TUERK | DIRECTOR | 8 | — |
Contact Information
Address: 840 N Lake Shore Dr, Apt 2301 Chicago, IL 60611-2490
Telephone: 708-542-8751
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does James P and Brenda S Grusecki Family fund?
The Foundation's purpose is to fund programs and initiatives in the following primary areas: • **Education** — ranging from pre-school to after-school to public and private education • **Performing Arts** — with particular emphasis on theater • **Housing and Social Services** — including transformational housing initiatives • **Women's Issues** • **Mental Health** The Foundation shows special interest in programs that combine these fields, particularly those introducing targeted underserved pop…
How do I apply for a grant from James P and Brenda S Grusecki Family?
**Grant Activity:** • Made 47 grants in the most recent year • Typical grant awards range from $2,088 to $55,000 • Average grant amount: approximately $2,088 • Recent notable grants include: • $200,000 to Planned Parenthood of Illinois (multi-year installment) • $60,000 to Theatre Aspen for season sponsorship • $50,000 to Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago for general operations **Total Giving:** • 2024: $1,997,889 in expenses • 2023: $1,545,000 in grants distributed
Where does James P and Brenda S Grusecki Family make grants?
The Foundation primarily funds organizations in the Chicago, Illinois area, with some grants extending to California and the District of Columbia.
What size grants does James P and Brenda S Grusecki Family award?
In 2024, James P and Brenda S Grusecki Family awarded 49 grants totaling $1.8M — an average of about $36K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is James P and Brenda S Grusecki Family required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, James P and Brenda S Grusecki Family reported a distributable amount of $1.6M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is James P and Brenda S Grusecki Family's EIN?
James P and Brenda S Grusecki Family's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 16-1639401. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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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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