Paul and Suzanne Hanifl Foundation
The Paul and Suzanne Hanifl Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, established in 2000. The foundation supports communities through philanthropic initiatives and is known for its involvement in both the Chicago area and the Twin Cities region of Minnesota.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$802K
-11.5% YoY
Grant Count
16
-44.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$50K
+60.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports programs promoting:
- Environmental awareness and conservation
- Education
- The arts
- Sciences
- Physical health and fitness
The foundation's work reflects the Hanifls' personal interests and values, extending beyond traditional grantmaking to include direct involvement in community initiatives and facilities.
Grantmaking
| Grantee | Purpose | Amount |
Grant Range
s range from approximately $30,000 to $600,000.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation maintains a dual geographic focus:
- Chicago area — primary philanthropic base
- Twin Cities region of Minnesota — significant funding presence, particularly in White Bear Lake and surrounding areas
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year Ending September 2024:
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Assets | $5,352,369 |
| Total Revenues | $33,709 |
| Total Expenses | $870,866 |
| Number of Employees | 0 |
Prior Year (FYE September 2023):
- Total grants and contributions received: $9,644
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
104 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Minnesota Zoo Foundation ($600,000), H2o for Life ($50,500), Children's Performing Arts ($30,175).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHILDREN'S PERFORMING ARTS WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $30,175 |
| FAMILY HEALTH PARTNERSHIP CLINIC CRYSTAL LAKE, IL | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $1,000 |
| FISHING FOR LIFE MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $6,000 |
| GREATER WHITE BEAR LAKE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $20,200 |
| H2O FOR LIFE WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $50,500 |
| HENNEPIN THEATRE TRUST MINNEAPOLIS, MN | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $30,000 |
| MINNESOTA ZOO FOUNDATION APPLE VALLEY, MN | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $600,000 |
| NAPLES BOTANICAL GARDENS NAPLES, FL | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $3,000 |
| NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH CLINIC NAPLES, FL | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $5,000 |
| ORDWAY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS SAINT PAUL, MN | GENERAL CHARITABLE PURPOSES | $25,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Founders & Principals:
- Paul Hanifl — Co-founder
- Suzanne Hanifl — Co-founder
The couple has been married for 45 years and are actively involved in directing the foundation's philanthropic efforts.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUZANNE T HANIFL | PRES, TREAS & DIR | — | — |
| PAUL H HANIFL | VICE-PRES, SEC & DIR | — | — |
| SHARON M HANIFL | VICE PRES & DIR | — | — |
| KERRY L HANIFL | VICE PRES & DIR | — | — |
| DARREN S HANIFL | VICE PRES & DIR | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Paul and Suzanne Hanifl Foundation fund?
The foundation supports programs promoting: • Environmental awareness and conservation • Education • The arts • Sciences • Physical health and fitness The foundation's work reflects the Hanifls' personal interests and values, extending beyond traditional grantmaking to include direct involvement in community initiatives and facilities.
How do I apply for a grant from Paul and Suzanne Hanifl Foundation?
**Recent Grants (2024):** | Grantee | Purpose | Amount | | --- | --- | --- | | Minnesota Zoo Foundation | General Charitable Purposes | $600,000 | | H2O for Life | General Charitable Purposes | $50,500 | | Children's Performing Arts | General Charitable Purposes | $30,175 | The foundation made at least 13 grants in 2024. Grant sizes range from approximately $30,000 to $600,000.
Where does Paul and Suzanne Hanifl Foundation make grants?
The foundation maintains a dual geographic focus: • **Chicago area** — primary philanthropic base • **Twin Cities region of Minnesota** — significant funding presence, particularly in White Bear Lake and surrounding areas
What size grants does Paul and Suzanne Hanifl Foundation award?
In 2024, Paul and Suzanne Hanifl Foundation awarded 16 grants totaling $802K — an average of about $50K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Paul and Suzanne Hanifl Foundation's EIN?
Paul and Suzanne Hanifl Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4334519. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
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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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