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.
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
The foundation does not maintain a website to guide grantseekers and does not accept unsolicited proposals. Networking is identified as essential for gaining the foundation's attention.
How to Apply
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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
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 | — | — | — |
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
250 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 in tax filings:
- Carole B. Segal — President/Treasurer
- Harvey J. Silverstone — Secretary
- Katherine Frekko — Director
- Robert Segal — Director
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 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
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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