Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka
Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka is a private foundation, based in River Forest, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2025. As of 2025, the organization holds $8.6M in total assets. In 2025, it awarded 6 grants totaling $261K. Net investment income was $1.1M.
Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka at a glance
In short: Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka gave $261K across 6 grants in 2025 (avg $44K), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $261,000
- +2.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 6
- +20.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $43,500
- -14.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $44,500
- Total assets
- $8,586,882
- +3.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026.
Who Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 6 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Dominican Province of St Albert the Great ($75K). Together the top 6 received $261K.
Grant Size Distribution
25 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 12 grants of 25 (48%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 6 itemized grants.
Cities
How Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka gives
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+0%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 92% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $140K (2019) to $261K (2025). In 2025 it made 6 grants totaling $261K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dominican Province of St Albert the Great Chicago, IL | Grant to support construction of a novitiate building in denver Colorado | $75,000 |
| St Vincent Ferrer School River Forest, IL | Capital and Technology Improvements and Equipment | $75,000 |
| Chicago Jesuit Academy Chicago, IL | Provide for 2-full year tuition scholarships for inner city students unable to afford tuition. | $59,000 |
| St Elizabeth of the Trinity Parish Chicago, IL | Grant for Tuition Assistance | $30,000 |
| Mission of Our Lady of the Angels Chicago, IL | Grant to fund meals to the hungry during the easter season | $20,000 |
| Dominican Friars Central Province Chicago, IL | Donations to 1216 Fund Insupport of Formation Cost | $2,000 |
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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 | $8,586,882 | $1,138,630 | $446,230 | $261,000 | 6 | $370,884 | $1,063,284 | $401,138 |
| 2024 | $8,311,189 | $613,904 | $426,557 | $254,000 | 5 | $346,687 | $543,416 | $371,086 |
| 2023 | $7,060,231 | $621,354 | $410,554 | $249,000 | 6 | $334,723 | $554,483 | $305,397 |
| 2022 | $5,654,934 | $50,960 | $417,987 | $260,000 | 4 | $344,809 | — | $335,962 |
| 2021 | $7,988,211 | $320,326 | $413,352 | $250,000 | 4 | $336,902 | $252,039 | $355,632 |
| 2020 | $6,592,431 | $81,782 | $284,500 | $155,000 | 4 | — | $28,173 | $302,423 |
| 2019 | $5,704,626 | $161,687 | $276,858 | $140,000 | 3 | — | $114,597 | $250,381 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka reported a distributable amount of $401K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka is led by Jean M. Finnegan, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; all 2 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Jean M. Finnegan
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
20 hrs/week
$21K (2019) → $28K (2025)
Daniel C. Finnegan
Trustee
On filings since 2019
20 hrs/week
$49K (2019) → $71K (2025)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $71K, to Daniel C Finnegan (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka
How much does Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka give each year?
Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka gave $261K across 6 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $254K across 5 grants.
What is Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka's typical grant size?
Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka's median grant in 2025 was $44,500, and its average grant was $43,500, across 6 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka give grants?
Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka gives mostly in Illinois: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (5 grants).
Does Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 6 grants with a stated purpose on Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka's 2025 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support.
Who are Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka's largest grantees?
Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka's largest 2025 grantees include Dominican Province of St Albert the Great ($75,000), St Vincent Ferrer School ($75,000) and Chicago Jesuit Academy ($59,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 80% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka?
Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka reported $8.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $371K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $401K (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 is Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka's EIN?
Mitchell J and Mary Ellen Lamka's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-3181533. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 26, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 24, 2026)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS June 22, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS March 27, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 10, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS March 12, 2025)
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