Kemper Educational and Charitable Fund
The Kemper Educational and Charitable Fund is a private foundation based in Winnetka, Illinois, established in August 1963. It operates as a 501(c)(3) organization with tax-exempt status. The foundation makes charitable grants available to other organizations, primarily funding program support and public support initiatives.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$662K
Grant Count
50
Avg Grant Size
$13K
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's purpose is to make charitable grants available to other organizations using earned income from interest, dividends, and capital gains. The fund grants to organizations in the metro Chicago area that support underserved populations, with primary focus areas including:
- Education — Support for schools and other educational organizations
- Mental Health Support
- Workforce Development
- Social Services — Program support for organizations improving lives
Grantmaking
The foundation does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding. Organizations interested in support should approach the foundation directly for more information.
Grant Range
is approximately $1,500
Average Grant
amounts range from $100 to $101,015
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in:
- Metro Chicago area
- Illinois
- Wisconsin
- Pennsylvania
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $11,882,638
- Total Revenues: $689,594
- Total Expenses: $740,502
- Total Giving: $661,850
- Number of Employees: 1
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $12,039,733
| Metric | 2024 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
186 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Chicago Youth Centers ($100,000), Cristo Rey St Martin College Prep ($75,000), Revolution Workshop ($51,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BERNIE'S BOOK BANK LAKE BLUFF, IL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $33,000 |
| CHICAGO JESUIT ACADEMY CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT PROGRAM | $50,500 |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION CHICAGO, IL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $50,000 |
| CHICAGO YOUTH CENTERS CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT PROGRAM | $100,000 |
| COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | SUPPORT PROGRAM | $25,000 |
| COUNSELING CENTER OF THE NORTH SHORE WINNETKA, IL | SUPPORT PROGRAM | $500 |
| CRISTO REY ST MARTIN COLLEGE PREP WAUKEGAN, IL | SUPPORT PROGRAM | $75,000 |
| FAMILY SERVICE CENTER OF WILMETTE WILMETTE, IL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $1,000 |
| GAMMA LOTA SIGMA YARDLEY, PA | SUPPORT PROGRAM | $15,000 |
| HOLY FAMILY MINISTRIES NORTHFIELD, IL | PROGRAM SUPPORT | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Brian Van Cleave — Chairman
- John Van Cleave — Chairman Emeritus
- Katie Shook — Secretary
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN VAN CLEAVE | CHAIRMAN | 0.5 | — |
| JOHN VAN CLEAVE | CHAIRMEN EMERITUS | 0.5 | — |
| KATIE SHOOK | SECRETARY | 0.5 | — |
| LYNN VAN CLEAVE | TRUSTEE | 0.5 | — |
| PATTI VAN CLEAVE | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $64,992 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in supporting bilingual education initiatives through The Kemper Foundation's Read Conmigo Grant Program, which has awarded educator grants and school impact grants in multiple regions including Dallas, Los Angeles, and Miami areas during 2024 and 2025.
The Kemper Foundation Opens Spring 2025 Read Conmigo Grant Applications forFrequently Asked Questions
What does Kemper Educational and Charitable Fund fund?
The foundation's purpose is to make charitable grants available to other organizations using earned income from interest, dividends, and capital gains. The fund grants to organizations in the metro Chicago area that support underserved populations, with primary focus areas including: • **Education** — Support for schools and other educational organizations • **Mental Health Support** • **Workforce Development** • **Social Services** — Program support for organizations improving lives
How do I apply for a grant from Kemper Educational and Charitable Fund?
**Grant Activity:** • The foundation made 42 grants in 2023, with total giving of $661,850 • Average grant amounts range from $100 to $101,015 • Median grant size is approximately $1,500 **Recent Grantees (2023):** • Chicago Youth Centers — $101,015 • Chicago Jesuit Academy — $50,000 • Revolution Workshop — $50,000 • Winnetka Community House (among others) **Application Process:** The foundation does not respond to unsolicited applications for funding. Organizations interested in support should…
Where does Kemper Educational and Charitable Fund make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in: • Metro Chicago area • Illinois • Wisconsin • Pennsylvania
What size grants does Kemper Educational and Charitable Fund award?
In 2024, Kemper Educational and Charitable Fund awarded 50 grants totaling $662K — an average of about $13K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Kemper Educational and Charitable Fund's EIN?
Kemper Educational and Charitable Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6054499. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Kemper Educational and Charitable Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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