NKC Family Foundation
NKC Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Geneva, Illinois. Its 2025 filing lists 35 grants totaling $2,222,000, primarily to organizations in Illinois, with additional grants to organizations in Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, and Colorado.
NKC Family Foundation at a glance
In short: NKC Family Foundation gave $2.2M across 35 grants in 2025 (avg $63K), mostly in Illinois. 14% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,222,000
- +30.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 35
- -7.9% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $63,486
- +41.2% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $60,000
- Total assets
- $41,743,342
- +13.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (5 of 35, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (73% 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 NKC Family 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: 501 W State Street 201, Geneva, IL 60134
Phone: (630) 335-7357
Website: https://www.nkcfoundation.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who NKC Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Aurora Christian Schools ($150K). Together the top 10 received $1.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
170 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 94 grants of 170 (55%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 73% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 10% to Wisconsin, 5% each to Michigan and North Carolina, and 2% to Colorado.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 35 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is NKC Family Foundation open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 35 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $58K; repeat grants $64K. How we count
Medians: $50K first-time, $63K repeat.
- 86% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 52% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 113% 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 $970K (2020) to $2.2M (2025). In 2025 it made 35 grants totaling $2.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora Christian Schools Aurora, IL | General Operating Support | $150,000 |
| Rock House Kids Rockford, IL | General Operating Support | $150,000 |
| Shepherd's Heart Geneva, IL | General Operating Support | $150,000 |
| Wayside Cross Ministries Aurora, IL | General Operating Support | $150,000 |
| Administer Justice Elgin, IL | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Cure International Grand Rapids, MI | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Elim Christian Services Crestwood, IL | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Inspiration Ministries Walworth, WI | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Rockford Rescue Mission Rockford, IL | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Samaritan's Purse Boone, NC | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with NKC Family 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 | $41,743,342 | $9,884,480 | $2,613,200 | $2,222,000 | 35 | $2,535,223 | $6,166,432 | $2,245,438 |
| 2024 | $36,658,085 | $11,594,616 | $2,016,212 | $1,709,000 | 38 | $1,969,250 | $1,477,335 | $1,691,908 |
| 2023 | $27,054,299 | $387,732 | $1,635,467 | $1,349,000 | 29 | $1,586,363 | $877,752 | $1,464,206 |
| 2022 | $30,260,776 | $5,177,702 | $1,733,416 | $1,459,020 | 35 | $1,628,618 | $603,791 | $1,403,921 |
| 2021 | $27,435,625 | $3,958,603 | $1,440,171 | $1,260,000 | 33 | $1,400,869 | $958,706 | $1,223,072 |
| 2020 | $24,243,007 | $2,700,181 | $1,126,649 | $970,000 | 24 | — | $1,292,173 | $1,159,074 |
| 2019 | $22,630,058 | $2,761,317 | $1,118,636 | $997,000 | 36 | — | $750,380 | $1,020,030 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, NKC Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.2M 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 foundation’s 2025 filing describes its program as the “difference between FMV and cost basis of contributed stock that was sold.” The provided information does not state a separate mission.
Grantees’ own mission statements illustrate the range of organizations supported. Aurora Christian Schools says it works with families to educate children from a Christian worldview and prepare them for lives of service. Rock House Kids describes its work as meeting inner-city children’s physical, emotional, and educational needs in a safe, Christ-centered environment. CURE International says its hospitals provide surgical care for children living with disabilities. Other 2025 grantees describe work in legal assistance, support for people with special needs, life transitions, and providing a stable home and school for young people.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation awarded 35 grants totaling $2,222,000. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000, with a median grant of $60,000. The largest listed awards were $150,000 each to Aurora Christian Schools, Rock House Kids, Shepherd’s Heart, and Wayside Cross Ministries, all for general operating support. Other notable awards included $100,000 each to Administer Justice, CURE International, Elim Christian Services, Inspiration Ministries, Rockford Rescue Mission, and Samaritan’s Purse.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Nick Calamos and Kimberly Calamos as trustees, Katie Bifoss as CEO, and Edward Jarosz as a board member.
NKC Family Foundation is led by Katie Bifoss, CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2019); 1 of 4 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Katie Bifoss
CEO
Program Officer → CEO, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$68K (2019) → $127K (2025)
Kimberly Calamos
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nick Calamos
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Edward Jarosz
Board Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
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 $127K, to Katie Bifoss (CEO).
Frequently asked questions about NKC Family Foundation
How much does NKC Family Foundation give each year?
NKC Family Foundation gave $2.2M across 35 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $1.7M across 38 grants.
What is NKC Family Foundation's typical grant size?
NKC Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $60,000, and its average grant was $63,486, across 35 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from NKC Family Foundation that year got $58K on average.
Where does NKC Family Foundation give grants?
NKC Family Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 73% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Wisconsin (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Geneva, IL (3 grants), Wheaton, IL (3 grants), Aurora, IL (2 grants) and Rockford, IL (2 grants).
Does NKC Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of NKC Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (35 of 35) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are NKC Family Foundation's largest grantees?
NKC Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Aurora Christian Schools ($150,000), Rock House Kids ($150,000) and Shepherd's Heart ($150,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is NKC Family Foundation?
NKC Family Foundation reported $41.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.5M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does NKC Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s 2025 filing describes its program as the “difference between FMV and cost basis of contributed stock that was sold.” The provided information does not state a separate mission. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from NKC Family 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 NKC Family Foundation's EIN?
NKC Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-2618874. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does NKC 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.
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 June 23, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 7, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 31, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in NKC Family 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
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
Duke Energy Foundation
Charlotte, NC
The Duke Energy Foundation funds workforce and local economic development, disaster resilience, conservation, clean water, and economic opportunity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000; applications for grants of $20,000 or less are accepted year-round, after applicants discuss proposals with a state representative.
Assets
$1.9M
Grants
41
Total Given
$25.6M
Tyndale House Ministries
Carol Stream, IL
Tyndale House Ministries funds Christian ministries and mission organizations working in Christian literature, evangelical endeavors, Bible translation, leadership training, humanitarian aid, and local charitable work in greater Chicago and DuPage County. Its 2026 grants ranged from $5,500 to $386,150, with a median of $22,000, supporting work in the United States and internationally. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$151.4M
Grants
223
Total Given
$7.4M
Motorola Solutions Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Motorola Solutions Foundation funds first-responder programs and technology and engineering education, especially for under-resourced communities; its 2025 grants had a median of $35,000. It supports organizations worldwide, with priority for communities where Motorola Solutions operates, and accepts unsolicited requests through an annual letter-of-inquiry process, with full applications by invitation.
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
213
Total Given
$12.6M
George M Eisenberg Foundation
Arlington Heights, IL
The foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations in areas including health care, disability services, youth services, and hunger relief, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Illinois and the rest to Minnesota. Its 2024 grants had a median of $5,000, though awards ranged from $1,000 to $1,275,000. It accepts requests by letter rather than a formal application; requests are due by April 30 for consideration the following calendar year.
Assets
$39.8M
Grants
150
Total Given
$4.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). NKC Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/nkc-family-foundation-morg_aa5ed1d835b940eabc9be3d30cc15aea
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_472618874_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{NKC Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/nkc-family-foundation-morg_aa5ed1d835b940eabc9be3d30cc15aea},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. 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 NKC Family 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.
NKC Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?