Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation
The Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation is a private foundation based in Lake Forest, Illinois. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including organizations with religious, educational, hunger-relief, medical, and other charitable purposes.
Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation at a glance
In short: Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation gave $320K across 22 grants in 2025 (avg $15K), mostly in Illinois. 19% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $319,500
- +33.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 22
- +15.8% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $14,523
- +15.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $372,690
- -21.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 19% first-time grantees (4 of 21, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (71% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 150 King Muir Road, Lake Forest, IL 60045
Phone: (847) 867-1077
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Cristo Rey St Martin Prep ($60K). Together the top 10 received $285K.
Grant Size Distribution
96 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 94 grants of 96 (98%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 71% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 16% to Arizona, 13% to New York, and less than 1% to Wisconsin.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation open to new grantees?
19%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 21 grantees (19%) were first-time recipients. With only 21 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 5 points. First grants averaged $3K; repeat grants $18K. How we count
Medians: $3K first-time, $10K repeat.
- 71% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 27% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 344% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). 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 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $175K (2020) to $322K (2021). In 2025 it made 22 grants totaling $320K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Cristo Rey St Martin Prep Waukegan, IL | Religious | $60,000 |
| Make a Wish Foundation Phoenix, AZ | Provide Assistance | $35,000 |
| Loyola Academy Wilmette, IL | Educational | $31,250 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depositary Chicago, IL | Hunger relief | $30,000 |
| St Mary's Church Lake Forest, IL | Religious | $25,000 |
| Loyola Academy Wilmette, IL | Educational | $23,750 |
| Smile Train Org New York, NY | Medical | $20,000 |
| Catholic Charities Chicago, IL | Religious | $20,000 |
| Tunnel to Towers Staten Island, NY | Charitable - general | $20,000 |
| Kellogg School of Management Evanston, IL | Education | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Kathleen and David Kennedy 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 | $372,690 | $216,536 | $319,525 | $319,500 | 22 | $319,525 | $216,511 | $92,990 |
| 2024 | $476,306 | $170,652 | $242,845 | $239,250 | 19 | $242,845 | $167,057 | $88,744 |
| 2023 | $551,856 | $214,171 | $265,975 | $263,750 | 21 | $265,975 | $211,950 | $75,453 |
| 2022 | $610,387 | $155,365 | $253,340 | $250,750 | 16 | $253,340 | $152,775 | $85,960 |
| 2021 | $708,362 | $243,368 | $325,598 | $321,750 | 18 | $325,598 | $241,135 | $98,676 |
| 2020 | $790,592 | $-113,147 | $175,968 | $174,756 | 19 | — | $41,708 | $93,068 |
| 2019 | $1,079,707 | $51,606 | $184,916 | $183,750 | 15 | — | $49,940 | $88,218 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation reported a distributable amount of $93K 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
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for religious organizations, schools and educational institutions, hunger relief, medical causes, and general charitable purposes.
Some grantees describe their work as follows: Angel Charity for Children says it works to improve the quality of life for children in its community through fundraising for beneficiaries selected by its membership. HOPE IGNITES CHICAGO says Boys Hope Girls Hope guides young people in need through long-term residential and academy programming, including direct program support and college scholarships. The Pink Agenda says it raises awareness and funds for breast cancer research. Mothers Trust Foundation says it provides immediate assistance to low-income children in Lake County, Illinois, including help with housing stability, clothing, education, and other needs. SCARRITT FOUNDATION says it provides access to veterinary care for families in financial hardship and supports animal rescue, rehabilitation, and rehoming organizations.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 22 grants totaling $319,500. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $60,000, with a median of $10,000. Notable grants included $60,000 to Cristo Rey St Martin Prep, $35,000 to Make-A-Wish Foundation, $31,250 and $23,750 to Loyola Academy, $30,000 to Greater Chicago Food Depositary, and $25,000 to St. Mary’s Church. Other grants included $20,000 each to Smile Train Org, Catholic Charities, and Tunnel to Towers.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists David Kennedy as President, Kathleen Kennedy and Rosemary Dowdle as Vice Presidents, and Lauretta Mulholland as Treasurer.
Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation is led by David B. Kennedy, President on every filing since 2019; none of the 4 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
David B. Kennedy
President
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen B. Kennedy
Vice President
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lauretta Mulholland
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Rosemary Dowdle
Vice President
On filings since 2019
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Mary Kennedy (2019–2022) — Secretary
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation
How much does Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation give each year?
Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation gave $320K across 22 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $239K across 19 grants.
What is Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation's typical grant size?
Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $14,523, across 22 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation that year got $3K on average.
Where does Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation give grants?
Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 71% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Arizona (16%) and New York (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (5 grants), Wilmette, IL (3 grants), Tucson, AZ (3 grants) and Lake Forest, IL (2 grants).
Does Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation give general operating support?
Occasionally: 5% of Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 22) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Religious" (7 grants) and "Educational" (6 grants).
Who are Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation's largest grantees?
Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Cristo Rey St Martin Prep ($60,000), Loyola Academy ($55,000 across 2 grants) and Make a Wish Foundation ($35,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 47% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation?
Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation reported $373K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $320K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $93K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants include support for religious organizations, schools and educational institutions, hunger relief, medical causes, and general charitable purposes. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation?
The foundation states on its 2024 filing that it 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 Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation's EIN?
Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 26-1292997. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Kathleen and David Kennedy 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
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS April 20, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS February 16, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 21, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 22, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
AbbVie Foundation
North Chicago, IL
The AbbVie Foundation funds health equity, access to care, cancer care, community health, and related community-led programs through partnerships and employee initiatives. Its 2025 grants ranged from $8,000 to $15 million, with a median of $25,000; it supports work worldwide, with the largest share of recent grants going to Illinois. It makes grants only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$265.6M
Grants
65
Total Given
$47.1M
Mary and Ralph Gesualdo Family Foundation
Lake Forest, IL
The Mary and Ralph Gesualdo Family supports organizations in health care, education, disability services, food access, and humanitarian work, with most 2024 funding going to Minnesota and Illinois. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $625,000, with a median of $20,000. It accepts inquiries from organizations that qualify as 501(c)(3) nonprofits; no deadline is stated.
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
22
Total Given
$1.2M
Best Walter & Edith Foundation
Chicago, IL
The foundation funds organizations providing substantial direct or indirect benefits to children, including care, treatment, education, support, and health services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $2,000 to $20,000, with a median of $5,000, and went mostly to Illinois organizations, with some support in California. It accepts unsolicited written requests year-round.
Assets
$4.0M
Grants
39
Total Given
$308K
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
The Robert E Gallagher Charitable Trust
Glenview, IL
The Robert E Gallagher Charitable Trust supports schools, churches, food banks, health and humanitarian organizations, and other nonprofits, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Illinois recipients. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,000 to $3.27 million, with a median of $30,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$28.6M
Grants
65
Total Given
$6.8M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 4, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/kathleen-and-david-kennedy-foundation-morg_72e47659316147999d53c4aeeb78da1e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_261292997_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/kathleen-and-david-kennedy-foundation-morg_72e47659316147999d53c4aeeb78da1e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-04. 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 Kathleen and David Kennedy 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.
Kathleen and David Kennedy Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?