The Rauner Family Foundation is a private foundation established in Illinois in 1995 and based in New York, NY. It serves as the primary philanthropic vehicle of Bruce and Diana Rauner, a Chicago-area couple. The foundation maintains a low profile and does not accept unsolicited requests for funding.
Key facts about Rauner Family Foundation
- EIN
- 36-3993405
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,268,020
- Grants made (2024)
- 20
- Average grant
- $163,401
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Primary geography
- Illinois (70% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation does not maintain a website and does not provide a clear means of contact for grantseekers.
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated June 2026. Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Rauner Family Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Rauner Family Foundation's 20 itemized 2024 grants were Illinois (70%) and Florida (15%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (6 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$3.3M
-2.7% YoY
Grant Count
20
+33.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$163K
-27.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not maintain a publicly stated mission statement. However, its grantmaking priorities include:
- Education reform
- Environment and natural resources
- Health and human services
- Policy
- Veterans causes
- Jewish causes
- Community and economic development
- Higher education
Education reform is identified as the foundation's top concern, with particular focus on education initiatives in Chicago.
Grantmaking
How to Apply
** The foundation does not maintain a website and does not provide a clear means of contact for grantseekers. It does not accept unsolicited funding requests. Prospective grantees are advised to network to gain the foundation's attention.
Ready to take the next step with Rauner Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
While much of the foundation's grantmaking remains concentrated in the Chicago area, it supports organizations nationally. Funding has been documented in Illinois, Florida, and New York.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 20 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $55,468,406
- Total Revenues: $2,448,280
- Total Expenses: $4,080,444
- Investment Income and Dividends: $895,925
- Net Gain from Sale of Non-Inventory Assets: $1,291,398
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $56,781,112
- Total Giving: $3,268,020
Employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
68 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Environmental Defense Fund ($1,000,000), Start Early ($1,000,000), Everglades Foundation ($250,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL | $1,000,000 |
| START EARLY CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL | $1,000,000 |
| EVERGLADES FOUNDATION PALMETTO BAY, FL | GENERAL | $250,000 |
| ROGER BALDWIN FTDN REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL | $150,000 |
| MIAMI WATERKEEPER CORAL GABLES, FL | GENERAL | $125,000 |
| PARK CITY ENIORNMENTAL COUNCIL PARK CITY, UT | GENERAL | $125,000 |
| 4 RANGES COMMUNITY RECREATION FOUNDATION LIVINGSTON, MT | GENERAL | $100,000 |
| CLIMATE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING INTIATIVE - CSEI UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL | $100,000 |
| FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION TALLAHASSEE, FL | GENERAL | $100,000 |
| CENTER FOR REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL | $50,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Bruce Rauner — President
- Former Governor of Illinois (2015-2019)
- Co-founder and former Chairman of GTCR (Golder Thoma Cressey Rauner), a private equity firm
- Dartmouth College graduate with an M.B.A. from Harvard
Diana Rauner — Vice President and Treasurer
- Executive Director of Ounce of Prevention Fund
David Casper — Board Member
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRUCE V RAUNER | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| DIANA M RAUNER | VICE PRESIDENT, TREASURER, SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| DAVID R CASPER | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Rauner Family Foundation fund?
The foundation does not maintain a publicly stated mission statement. However, its grantmaking priorities include: • Education reform • Environment and natural resources • Health and human services • Policy • Veterans causes • Jewish causes • Community and economic development • Higher education Education reform is identified as the foundation's top concern, with particular focus on education initiatives in Chicago.
How do I apply for a grant from Rauner Family Foundation?
**Grant Amounts:** Typical awards range from $3,020 to $1,000,000. **Recent Grants (2023):** • Start Early: $1,000,000 • The Everglades Foundation: $250,000 • Lawndale Educational and Regional Network Charter School: $100,000 **Historical Notable Grants:** • Chicago Public Education Fund: $1,000,000 • Noble Network of Charter Schools: $800,000 • Chicago International Charter School: $500,000 • Donors Trust: $500,000 (2011) and $200,000 (2012) **Application Process:** The foundation does not mai…
Where does Rauner Family Foundation make grants?
While much of the foundation's grantmaking remains concentrated in the Chicago area, it supports organizations nationally. Funding has been documented in Illinois, Florida, and New York.
What size grants does Rauner Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Rauner Family Foundation awarded 20 grants totaling $3.3M — an average of about $163K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Rauner Family Foundation's EIN?
Rauner Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3993405. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Rauner Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. The foundation does not maintain a website and does not provide a clear means of contact for grantseekers.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Rauner Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.