Segal Family Foundation
The Segal Family Foundation is a private foundation established in 2000 and based in Northbrook, Illinois. It is the philanthropic vehicle of Gordon and Carole Segal, founders of Crate and Barrel, a major furniture and housewares retailer founded in 1962. The foundation functions as a grantmaking organization supporting various charitable causes.
Key facts about Segal Family Foundation
- EIN
- 36-4330990
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,569,800
- Grants made (2024)
- 116
- Average grant
- $30,774
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (32 of 116, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation does not maintain a website to guide grantseekers and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Segal Family Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for Segal Family Foundation's 116 itemized 2024 grants were Illinois (100%). The most frequent recipient cities were Northbrook, IL (116 grants). 100% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
Is Segal Family Foundation open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 32 of 116 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $39K; repeat grants $28K. How we count
Medians: $13K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with Segal Family Foundation
- How to evaluate Segal Family Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
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Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$3.6M
+15.3% YoY
Grant Count
116
-6.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$31K
+23.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking priorities include:
- Education and youth development
- Arts and culture
- Health and human services
- Jewish causes
- Northwestern University (the founders' alma mater receives significant support)
The foundation operates with the philosophy that "those who can, should" and focuses primarily on established local institutions with national reputations, though it occasionally supports smaller nonprofits aligned with the family's interests.
Grantmaking
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Segal Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in the Chicago area and Illinois, with a particular emphasis on local institutions. However, it also supports Northwestern University and maintains a broader geographic reach for select causes.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 116 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $33.4 million
- Total Revenues: $7.64 million
- Total Expenses: $3.2 million
- Total Giving: $3.57 million (2024 data)
Revenue Breakdown (2023):
- Grants and contributions: $6.76 million
- Investment income and dividends: $620,174
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $258,066
- Miscellaneous revenues: $1,171
The foundation has no liabilities and maintains a strong financial position with steady revenue growth.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
600 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Bates College Schuler Access Initiatives ($600,000), Rush University Medical Center Innovation and Research ($500,000), University of Chicago Division of Biological Sciences Dcis and Low-Dose Ima ($125,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BATES COLLEGE SCHULER ACCESS INITIATIVES Northbrook, IL | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $600,000 |
| RUSH UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER INNOVATION AND RESEARCH Northbrook, IL | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $500,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO DIVISION OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES DCIS AND LOW-DOSE IMA Northbrook, IL | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $125,000 |
| THE CHICAGO COUNCIL ON GLOBAL AFFAIRS SPECIAL FUND Northbrook, IL | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $125,000 |
| ILLINOIS INSITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY HEALTH INITIATIVE Northbrook, IL | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $100,000 |
| WINDOW TO THE WORLD COMMUNICATIONS INC NATURE CAT Northbrook, IL | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $100,000 |
| LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL CENTER FOR CILDHOOD RESILIENCE Northbrook, IL | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $100,000 |
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN HISTORY BECOMING US Northbrook, IL | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $75,000 |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND ANNUAL FUNDJEWISH GENETICS Northbrook, IL | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $75,000 |
| FACING HISTORY AND OURSELVES 2023 ANNUAL FUND & CPS CURRICULUM Northbrook, IL | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION | $70,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key personnel identified in tax filings:
- Carole B. Segal — President/Treasurer
- Harvey J. Silverstone — Secretary
- Katherine Frekko — Director
- Robert Segal — Director
Compensation Overview
No officer or director reported compensation in the available filings.
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carole B Segal | Pres/Treas | — | — |
| Harvey J Silverstone | Secretary | — | — |
| Katherine Frekko | Director | — | — |
| Robert Segal | Director | — | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Segal Family Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking priorities include: • Education and youth development • Arts and culture • Health and human services • Jewish causes • Northwestern University (the founders' alma mater receives significant support) The foundation operates with the philosophy that "those who can, should" and focuses primarily on established local institutions with national reputations, though it occasionally supports smaller nonprofits aligned with the family's interests.
How do I apply for a grant from Segal Family Foundation?
The foundation does not maintain a website to guide grantseekers and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
Where does Segal Family Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in the Chicago area and Illinois, with a particular emphasis on local institutions. However, it also supports Northwestern University and maintains a broader geographic reach for select causes.
What size grants does Segal Family Foundation award?
In 2024, Segal Family Foundation awarded 116 grants totaling $3.6M — an average of about $31K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Segal Family Foundation's EIN?
Segal Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4330990. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Segal Family Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.