Pepper Family Foundation
The Pepper Family Foundation is a private family foundation established in 1987 and based in Chicago, Illinois. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization with a focus on supporting educational institutions, cultural organizations, and human services primarily throughout Illinois.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$37.0M
+24.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.2M
+106.2% YoY
Grant Count
28
+21.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$116K
+69.4% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's philanthropic interests center on:
- Education: Major support for universities and colleges
- Culture and the Arts: Funding for cultural institutions
- Human Services: Support for community-based organizations
- Philanthropy and Voluntarism: Grantmaking support
The foundation's legacy is particularly visible through major gifts to institutions including Northwestern University, Harper College, and the Art Institute of Chicago, where facilities bear the Pepper family name.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not maintain a public website or accept unsolicited applications. Prospective grantees must be identified and selected by foundation trustees.
Grant Range
$1,000 - $1,010,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Pepper Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, with particular emphasis on the Chicago area (approximately 95% of giving). Secondary funding areas include Ohio and Indiana.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Current Assets and Giving (2024):
- Total Assets: $37,006,412
- Total Annual Giving: $3,243,186
- Total Revenues: $10,934,729
- Total Expenses: $3,580,333
- Number of Employees: 1
Historical Growth: The foundation has demonstrated significant growth, with annual giving increasing 294% over a seven-year period.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $37,006,412 | $29,652,016 | $21,169,798 |
| Revenue | $10,934,729 | $10,338,253 | $10,330,651 |
| Expenses | $3,580,333 | $1,856,035 | $673,030 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $3,351,165 | $1,688,819 | $503,407 |
| Net Investment Income | $688,061 | $352,982 | $180,035 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,761,391 | $1,139,224 | $660,984 |
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
89 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel identified:
- Lynda Pepper Bollman - Director, President
- Roxelyn M Pepper - Director, Vice President
- J Stanley Pepper - Director
- W Franklin Appleby - Secretary
The foundation was established by Richard S. Pepper, who passed away in 2021.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROXELYN M PEPPER DECEASED | DIRECTOR | 4 | $5,000 |
| LYNDA PEPPER BOLLMAN DECEASED | DIRECTOR | 4 | $2,500 |
| J STANLEY PEPPER | DIRECTOR | 4 | $7,500 |
| W FRANKLIN APPLEBY JR | SECRETARY & TREASURER | 4 | $111,505 |
| J RICHARD PEPPER | DIRECTOR, ASSISTANT TREASURER | 4 | $7,500 |
| J SCOT PEPPER | DIRECTOR, VICE PRESIDENT | 4 | $7,500 |
| LISA PEPPER | DIRECTOR, PRESIDENT | 4 | $7,500 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has made notable contributions to major Chicago institutions, including the dedication of the Pepper Family Foundation Academic Support Center at Harper College and substantial support for the Art Institute of Chicago, which received the largest grant in the foundation's recent grantmaking activity at $1,010,000 in 2024.
Pepper Family Foundation - Grant Information & Application DetailsRelated Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Green and Blue Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$51K
Above and Beyond Daycare Center
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Primo Center for Women & Children
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Rose Lafferty Educational Fund Xxxxx9006
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$228K
The John Crerar Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$991K
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Fostering Success
WAYNE, IL
Assets
$38K
Grants
1
Total Given
$2K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Pepper Family Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities