Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation
The Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its 2025 grants supported organizations working in areas including health care, public broadcasting, education, youth services, and Holocaust remembrance.
Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation at a glance
In short: Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation gave $62K across 35 grants in 2025 (avg $2K), mostly in Illinois. 11% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $62,000
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 35
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $1,771
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $1,000
- Total assets
- $1,557,834
- +6.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 11% first-time grantees (4 of 35, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (72% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Joseph and Helen Komarek 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: 950 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (847) 519-9400
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Friends of Israel Defense Forc ($6K). Together the top 10 received $39K.
Grant Size Distribution
168 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 168 grants of 168 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 72% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois and 20% to recipients in New York. Massachusetts, California, and Georgia each received 2%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation open to new grantees?
11%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 35 grantees (11%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $1K; repeat grants $2K. How we count
Medians: $750 first-time, $1K repeat.
- 86% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−17%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 84% 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 (2020–2025). 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 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $56K (2020) to $75K (2022). In 2025 it made 35 grants totaling $62K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Friends of Israel Defense Forc New York, NY | Annual Appeal | $6,000 |
| Lurie Children's Hospital Chicago, IL | Help Childrens Hospital | $5,000 |
| WTTW-Channel 11 Chicago, IL | Public Broacasting Service | $4,000 |
| Anti-Defamation League New York, NY | Stop Defamation | $4,000 |
| The Holocaust Memorial Foundation O Skokie, IL | Help People Remember the Holocaust | $4,000 |
| Cradles to Crayons Chicago, IL | Help Children Education | $4,000 |
| Chicago Youth Programs Chicago, IL | Help Disadvantage Youth | $4,000 |
| Willow House Bannockburn, IL | Help Families Suffering from Grief | $3,000 |
| Cawc Chicago, IL | Annual Fund | $3,000 |
| Magen David Adom New York, NY | Medical First Responders | $2,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,557,834 | $96,922 | $68,277 | $62,000 | 35 | $62,000 | $10,502 | $74,126 |
| 2024 | $1,458,306 | $102,684 | $68,348 | $62,000 | 35 | $62,000 | $8,557 | $67,516 |
| 2023 | $1,288,274 | $181,994 | $73,472 | $67,000 | 35 | $67,000 | $7,848 | $58,525 |
| 2022 | $1,092,786 | $30,873 | $83,375 | $75,000 | 31 | $75,000 | $5,780 | $66,004 |
| 2021 | $1,590,847 | $129,196 | $72,748 | $66,000 | 32 | $66,000 | $119,096 | $72,769 |
| 2020 | $1,431,426 | $71,467 | $60,607 | $56,000 | 32 | — | $66,860 | $64,760 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation reported a distributable amount of $74K for 2025 — 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 available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. For example, Cradles to Crayons describes its work as providing essential items to children in homeless or low-income situations, while Chicago Youth Programs describes its work as tutoring and mentoring for inner-city youth. Willow House says it provides supportive services to people coping with death and dying, and the Anti-Defamation League describes its mission as combating antisemitism and other forms of hate.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 35 grants totaling $62,000. Grants ranged from $250 to $6,000, with a median of $1,000. Notable awards included $6,000 to Friends of Israel Defense Force, $5,000 to Lurie Children’s Hospital, and $4,000 each to WTTW-Channel 11, the Anti-Defamation League, the Holocaust Memorial Foundation, Cradles to Crayons, and Chicago Youth Programs. Other recipients included Willow House ($3,000), CAWC ($3,000), and Magen David Adom ($2,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Gene Mackevich, Elizabeth Butler, Bruce Butler, Howard Schwartz, and Barbara Mackevich as directors.
Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation's 2025 filing lists 5 officers; none of the 5 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Barbara Mackevich
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Bruce Butler
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Butler
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Gene Mackevich
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Howard Schwartz
Director
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Frequently asked questions about Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation
How much does Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation give each year?
Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation gave $62K across 35 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $62K across 35 grants.
What is Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation's typical grant size?
Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $1,000, and its average grant was $1,771, across 35 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation that year got $1K on average.
Where does Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation give grants?
Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 72% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (20%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (17 grants), New York, NY (4 grants) and Buffalo Grove, IL (2 grants).
Does Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 20% of Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (7 of 35) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation's largest grantees?
Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Friends of Israel Defense Forc ($6,000), Lurie Children's Hospital ($5,000) and WTTW-Channel 11 ($4,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation?
Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation reported $1.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $62K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $74K (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 Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation fund?
The available information does not state a mission for the foundation. Its grants show support for a range of charitable organizations. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Joseph and Helen Komarek 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 Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation's EIN?
Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4294704. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 24, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS February 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 9, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 6, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 4, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Inc
Chicago, IL
United Way of Metropolitan Chicago funds nonprofits addressing basic needs and community priorities such as health care, housing, food assistance, early learning, workforce development, and legal services across greater Chicago, including targeted support for Chicago’s South and West Sides and south suburbs. In 2025, grants ranged from about $5,000 to $2 million, with a median of $25,000. The stated 2026 Impact Grants process was limited to current partners, and the BridgeBuilders application was closed; no open unsolicited application process is stated.
Assets
$48.8M
Grants
331
Total Given
$22.8M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
Polk Bros Foundation funds community-driven Chicago nonprofits working to close the life expectancy gap, build community wealth, and foster participatory, multiracial democracy. Recent grants ranged from $100 to $250,000, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests during its transition period, which ends in fall 2026; it currently offers targeted RFPs.
Assets
$334.3M
Grants
568
Total Given
$19.3M
Circle of Service Foundation
Chicago, IL
The foundation funds community services, education, Jewish community, and medical research, with grantmaking concentrated in Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois, though it also funds organizations elsewhere. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000 and ranged from $50 to about $1.74 million; it accepts unsolicited pre-applications for community services and for Jewish community requests in Cook or Lake County, but not for the other stated categories or out-of-area Jewish community requests.
Assets
$592.0M
Grants
637
Total Given
$37.0M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial supports education, the environment, health and human services, gun violence prevention, homelessness prevention, and Jewish community and Israel initiatives, with a strong focus on Chicago and giving across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, its grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000. It uses an invitation-only process and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg
Owings Mills, MD
The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation funds direct services, programs, general operations, and capital projects in housing, health, jobs, education, and aging for low-income and vulnerable people. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000; its Small Grants Program offers up to $50,000 over two years, with funding focused on Baltimore, Hawaiʻi, Israel, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. It awards grants by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.8B
Grants
872
Total Given
$127.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/joseph-and-helen-komarek-foundation-morg_81d50db7c8e64d9bb01deb8af6b00e2f
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364294704_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/joseph-and-helen-komarek-foundation-morg_81d50db7c8e64d9bb01deb8af6b00e2f},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Joseph and Helen Komarek 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.
Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?