Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation

Private foundation · Grantmaker Chicago, IL EIN: 93-4755213

The Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation is a Form 990-PF private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. In 2025, it reported 12 grants totaling $244,050 to charitable organizations, including arts, research, educational, and Jewish organizations.

Key facts about Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation

In short: Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation gave $244K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $20K), top state California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

EIN
93-4755213
Latest 990 filing
Form 990-PF, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$244,050
Grants made (2025)
12
Average grant
$20,338
Median grant
$10,000
Total assets
$61,804
Primary geography
California (44% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Accepts unsolicited proposals
No
How to apply
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing

Total Assets

$62K

-62.3% YoY

Annual Giving

$244K

+205.1% YoY

Grant Count

12

+100.0% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$20K

+52.5% YoY

Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $8K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.

How Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation gives

  • 17% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
  • In 2025 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method

Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.

Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.

Mission & Focus Areas

No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. The Palm Springs Art Museum says it creates experiences that expand understanding of ourselves and the world through modern and contemporary art, architecture, and design. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center describes its work as uniting innovative research and compassionate care to prevent and eliminate cancer and infectious disease. The University of Chicago states that its mission is to communicate and create knowledge and foster a community of scholars and students. Other recipients’ stated missions include supporting Israel and its people (Jewish National Fund), enhancing the wellbeing of Jewish people and Israel and advancing human rights and democratic values (American Jewish Committee), and facilitating charitable giving in desert communities (Desert Community Foundation).

Grantmaking

In 2025, the foundation made 12 grants totaling $244,050. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $105,000, with a median grant of $10,000. The largest grants included $105,000 to Palm Springs Art Museum; $27,550 to Lymphoma Research Foundation; $25,000 each to Brandeis University Development and Chicago Council on Global Affairs; and $18,000 to Central Fund of Israel. Other grants included $10,000 each to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Jewish National Fund, and Jewish United Fund.

How to Apply

The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

Geographic Focus

Where this funder awards grants

In 2025, grant dollars went to recipients in California (44%), New York (25%), Illinois (16%), Massachusetts (10%), and Washington (4%).

Grant Distribution by State

6states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.

Cities

ChicagoNew YorkSeattleCedarhurstCoral GablesPalm DesertPalm SpringsPlanationWaltham

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$100K$200K$300K0 grants2023 6 grants2024 12 grants2025

From 2024 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $80K (2024) to $244K (2025). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $244K.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Palm Springs Art Museum: $105KPalm Springs Art Museum$105KLymphoma Research Foundation: $28KLymphoma Research Foundation$28KBrandeis University Development: $25KBrandeis UniversityDevelopment$25KChicago Council on Global Affairs: $25KChicago Council on GlobalAffairs$25KCentral Fund of Israel: $18KCentral Fund of Israel$18KFred Hutchinson Cancer Center: $10KFred Hutchinson Cancer Center$10KJewish National Fund: $10KJewish National Fund$10KJewish United Fund: $10KJewish United Fund$10KAmerican Jewish Committee: $5KAmerican Jewish Committee$5KUniversity of Chicago: $5KUniversity of Chicago$5K

The largest 2025 recipient was Palm Springs Art Museum ($105K). Together the top 10 received $241K.

Grant Size Distribution

18 grants across all recorded years

17<$50K$50–100K1$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 17 grants of 18 (94%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Palm Springs Art Museum Palm Springs, CATo Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization$105,000
Lymphoma Research Foundation New York, NYTo Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization$27,550
Brandeis University Development Waltham, MATo Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization$25,000
Chicago Council on Global Affairs Chicago, ILTo Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization$25,000
Central Fund of Israel Cedarhurst, NYTo Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization$18,000
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Seattle, WATo Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization$10,000
Jewish National Fund New York, NYTo Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization$10,000
Jewish United Fund Chicago, ILTo Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization$10,000
American Jewish Committee New York, NYTo Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization$5,000
University of Chicago Chicago, ILTo Further the Exempt Purpose of the Organization$5,000

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants Grant count
2025 $61,804 $154,751 $256,708 $244,050 12
2024 $163,761 $255,127 $91,366 $80,000 6
Revenue
Expenses
Qualifying Distributions
Net Investment Income
$0$100K$200K$300K2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$61,804$163,761—
Revenue$154,751$255,127—
Expenses$256,708$91,366—
Qualifying Distributions$246,390$85,682—
Net Investment Income$152,236$201,465—
Distributable Amount$7,987$185—

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 9, 2025)
  2. Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
  3. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2023–2024

Leadership & Key People

Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings

The 2025 filing lists Michael Werner as president, Laura Werner as vice president, and Margot Werner as secretary and treasurer.

Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation is led by Michael Werner, President on every filing since 2023; none of the 3 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.

Officers on the 2025 filing

  • Michael Werner

    President

    On filings since 2023

    No compensation reported

  • Laura Werner

    Vice President

    On filings since 2023

    No compensation reported

  • Margot Werner

    Secretary & Treasurer

    On filings since 2023

    No compensation reported

Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2023–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.

Contact

Mailing address: 525 W Monroe St 1900, Chicago, IL 60661
Phone: (312) 902-5279

Frequently asked questions about Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation

How much does Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation give each year?

Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation gave $244K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $80K across 6 grants.

What is Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation's typical grant size?

Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $20,338, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.

Where does Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation give grants?

Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation's top state is California, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were New York (25%) and Illinois (16%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (4 grants) and Chicago, IL (3 grants).

Who are Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation's largest grantees?

Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Palm Springs Art Museum ($105,000), Lymphoma Research Foundation ($27,550) and Brandeis University Development ($25,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 65% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.

How large is Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation?

Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation reported $62K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $246K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $8K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).

What does Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation fund?

No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for a range of organizations. The Palm Springs Art Museum says it creates experiences that expand understanding of ourselves and the world through modern and contemporary art, architecture, and design. See mission & focus areas ↑

How do I apply for a grant from Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation?

The foundation states 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 Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation's EIN?

Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 93-4755213. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2023–2025.

Does Michael & Laura Werner Family 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.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation by hand.

Explore Open Grants

Browse active grant opportunities in Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database

Similar Funders

Funders that support many of the same organizations

Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago

Chicago, IL

The Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago funds human services, Jewish education and community programs, crisis response, and support for Israel and Jewish communities worldwide, primarily through Chicago-area agencies and initiatives. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $20,000, though awards ranged widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$1.1B

Grants

896

Total Given

$166.6M

Gerald and Olivia Shapiro Family

Boca Raton, FL

The Gerald and Olivia Shapiro Family funds arts, education, Jewish organizations, health, and programs for people with disabilities, with 2025 grants ranging from $1,000 to $115,000 and a median of $5,000. Its giving went mainly to organizations in Illinois and Florida, with smaller grants to New York and Washington, DC. It supports only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$5.5M

Grants

22

Total Given

$373K

Evelyn & Louis Grossman Fund Inc

Wellesley, MA

Assets

$91K

Grants

26

Total Given

$69K

Jewish Community Federation of San Francisco the Peninsula Marin & Sonoma

San Francisco, CA

The Federation funds Jewish life and identity, antisemitism response, crisis relief, human services, and justice and inclusion, with work in the Bay Area, Israel, and beyond. Its 2025 grants ranged from $5,050 to $2,405,915, with a median of $22,750. It frequently issues requests for proposals and welcomes inquiries about new Bay Area programs; no current organization grant opportunities were listed.

Assets

$2.0B

Grants

1,032

Total Given

$94.5M

The Field Family Fund

Encino, CA

The Field Family Fund supports education and community programs that build self-sufficiency and address poverty, joblessness, and lack of resources, with grants spanning arts, cultural, Jewish, humanitarian, and other organizations. Its 2024 grants had a median of $5,000 and ranged from $1,000 to $236,096; most funding went to California, with grants also reaching other states. The filing says no application form or materials are required, but does not explicitly state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.

Assets

$8.2M

Grants

48

Total Given

$636K

Frank & Dolores Corbett Charitable Fund

Highland Park, IL

This Highland Park, Illinois, foundation supports charitable organizations in community services, education, medical and cancer research, and college student services. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $100,000, with a median of $10,000, and most funding went to organizations in California and Illinois. It gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$7.6M

Grants

36

Total Given

$489K

Frank Family Foundation

Deerfield, IL

The Frank Family Foundation supports schools, youth-serving nonprofits, colleges, and civic and community organizations, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Illinois and 14% to New Hampshire. Its 88 grants ranged from $500 to $13.6 million, with a median of $25,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$117.9M

Grants

88

Total Given

$34.9M

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

The Allstate Foundation

Northbrook, IL

The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.

Assets

$89.3M

Grants

2,010

Total Given

$38.0M

Elks National Foundation Inc

Chicago, IL

The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans’ services, and charitable projects through Elks Lodges and state associations across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median size of $10,000, though awards varied widely; the profile describes application routes for specific Lodge and scholarship programs but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.

Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking

Assets

$954.1M

Grants

1,536

Total Given

$36.5M

John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation

Chicago, IL

The MacArthur Foundation funds work advancing a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, including climate solutions, criminal justice, journalism, technology, and Chicago. In 2024, its grants had a median of $160,000, though awards ranged widely; it generally does not accept unsolicited requests, with possible exceptions for specific open calls or proposals that meet program guidelines.

Assets

$9.3B

Grants

1,086

Total Given

$356.1M

More Funders in Illinois

Michael & Laura Werner Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?