Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation
The Stephenson Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Schaumburg, Illinois. It makes charitable contributions to organizations, including a theatre company, a community foundation, and organizations working in areas such as cancer-patient assistance, education, conservation, and the arts.
Key facts about Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation
In short: Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation gave $1.9M across 26 grants in 2024 (avg $72K), mostly in Arizona. 27% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 36-3297660
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,878,475
- Grants made (2024)
- 26
- Average grant
- $72,249
- Median grant
- $17,500
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (7 of 26, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Arizona (55% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. 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.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$-1
-100.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.9M
-39.0% YoY
Grant Count
26
-16.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$72K
-27.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 7 of 26 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $28K; repeat grants $88K. How we count
Medians: $21K first-time, $15K repeat.
- 62% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving fell 26% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out well above its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations with varied purposes. For example, Assistance in Healthcare says it helps cancer patients in financial distress with non-medical expenses during treatment, while The Atlas Society says it promotes Objectivism. Wabash College describes itself as a liberal arts college for men, and Barrington Area Conservation Trust says it works to preserve open land and significant local resources.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 26 grants totaling $1,878,475. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $1,000,000, with a median grant of $17,500. The largest awards included $1,000,000 to The Phoenix Theatre Company, $300,000 to Tulsa Community Foundation, $100,000 to Horatio Alger Association, and $100,000 to The Grant Hamill Foundation. Each was listed as a general contribution.
How to Apply
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
Ready to take the next step with Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation is based in Illinois. In 2024, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Arizona (55%), Oklahoma (16%), Illinois (9%), Indiana (8%), and Virginia (5%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 26 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.1M (2020) to $3.4M (2022). In 2024 it made 26 grants totaling $1.9M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was The Phoenix Theatre Company ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
139 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 96 grants of 139 (69%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Phoenix Theatre Company Phoenix, AZ | General Contribution | $1,000,000 |
| Tulsa Community Foundation Tulsa, OK | General Contribution | $300,000 |
| Horotio Alger Association Alexandria, VA | General Contribution | $100,000 |
| The Grant Hamill Foundation Indianapolis, IN | General Contribution | $100,000 |
| Navy Seals Oak Brook, IL | General Contribution | $50,000 |
| The David Foster Foundation Schaumburg, IL | General Contribution | $38,000 |
| Community Partners of Dallas Dallas, TX | General Contribution | $35,000 |
| Assistance in Healthcare Zion, IL | General Contribution | $25,975 |
| American Heart Association Tempe, AZ | General Contribution | $25,000 |
| Dream Center Chicago, IL | General Contribution | $25,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | −$1 | $1,858,000 | $1,878,490 | $1,878,475 | 26 |
| 2023 | $20,036 | $3,010,000 | $3,079,335 | $3,079,320 | 31 |
| 2022 | $89,371 | $3,480,000 | $3,428,249 | $3,428,234 | 17 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $-1 | $20,036 | $89,371 |
| Revenue | $1,858,000 | $3,010,000 | $3,480,000 |
| Expenses | $1,878,490 | $3,079,335 | $3,428,249 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,878,475 | $3,079,320 | $3,428,234 |
| Distributable Amount | $2,735 | $2,682 | $8,571 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Richard J Stephenson as chairman, Jennifer S Keller as president, and Christopher M Stephenson DO as senior vice.
Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation is led by Jennifer S. Keller, President since 2021 (on filings since 2020); none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jennifer S. Keller
President
Vice President → President, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Richard J. Stephenson
Chairman
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Christopher M. Stephenson DO
Senior Vice
Vice President → Senior Vice, 2021
On filings since 2020
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 20 North Martingale Suite 180, Schaumburg, IL 60173
Phone: (847) 342-7402
Frequently asked questions about Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation
How much does Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation give each year?
Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation gave $1.9M across 26 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $3.1M across 31 grants.
What is Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation's typical grant size?
Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $17,500, and its average grant was $72,249, across 26 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation that year got $28K on average.
Where does Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation give grants?
Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation gives mostly in Arizona: 55% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were Oklahoma (16%) and Illinois (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (3 grants) and Scottsdale, AZ (2 grants).
Does Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (26 of 26) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation's largest grantees?
Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include The Phoenix Theatre Company ($1,000,000), Tulsa Community Foundation ($300,000) and Horotio Alger Association ($100,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 75% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
What does Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants went to organizations with varied purposes. For example, Assistance in Healthcare says it helps cancer patients in financial distress with non-medical expenses during treatment, while The Atlas Society says it promotes Objectivism. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
How much is Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation's EIN?
Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3297660. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Similar funders in Illinois
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
The Allstate Foundation funds youth empowerment, efforts to prevent and address relationship abuse, nonprofit leadership, and related economic opportunity and equity work. Its 2024 grants ranged from $250 to $2 million, with a median of $1,000, and awards must support work in the United States. It accepts proposals from organizations beyond a preselected list; proposals are reviewed as received.
Assets
$89.3M
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The Elks National Foundation funds scholarships, youth programs, veterans’ services, and charitable projects led by Elks Lodges and state associations, supporting communities across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median of $10,000, though awards varied widely; published Lodge opportunities are limited to eligible Elks Lodges, and no general application route for outside organizations is described.
Assets
$954.1M
Grants
1,536
Total Given
$36.5M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur Foundation
Chicago, IL
The MacArthur Foundation funds work advancing a more just, verdant, and peaceful world, including climate solutions, criminal justice, journalism, technology, and Chicago. In 2024, its grants had a median of $160,000, though awards ranged widely; it generally does not accept unsolicited requests, with possible exceptions for specific open calls or proposals that meet program guidelines.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial supports a broad range of organizations, including education, Jewish organizations, and community foundations. Its 2024 grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000; 55% of grant dollars went to Illinois, with additional funding in New York, Washington, DC, California, and Minnesota. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago
Chicago, IL
The Federation supports social services, Jewish education and community programs, and crisis response in Chicago and beyond, including Israel and Jewish communities worldwide. In 2025 it made 896 grants, with a median grant of about $20,000; 85% of grant dollars went to Illinois recipients. The profile does not state whether the Federation accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1B
Grants
896
Total Given
$166.6M
Circle of Service Foundation
Chicago, IL
The foundation funds community services, education, Jewish community, and medical research, with grantmaking concentrated in Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois, though it also funds organizations elsewhere. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000 and ranged from $50 to about $1.74 million; it accepts unsolicited pre-applications for community services and for Jewish community requests in Cook or Lake County, but not for the other stated categories or out-of-area Jewish community requests.
Assets
$592.0M
Grants
637
Total Given
$37.0M
Ea Mellinger Educational
Monmouth, IL
The foundation primarily awards undergraduate scholarships and also makes grants to qualified organizations for educational purposes. In 2025, awards ranged from $183 to $15,000, with a median of $2,100; its scholarship focus is applicants from six Illinois counties, and most grant dollars went to Illinois. Scholarship applications are accepted online during the annual March 1–April 30 period; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited organizational grant requests.
Assets
$25.0M
Grants
582
Total Given
$1.2M
Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
Polk Bros Foundation funds community-driven Chicago nonprofits working to close the life expectancy gap, build community wealth, and foster participatory, multiracial democracy. Recent grants ranged from $100 to $250,000, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests during its transition period, which ends in fall 2026; it currently offers targeted RFPs.
Assets
$334.3M
Grants
568
Total Given
$19.3M
National Council of YMCAs of the USA
Chicago, IL
Y-USA funds YMCA and affiliated World Alliance of YMCAs members for youth development, healthy living, social responsibility, and related program support. In 2024, grants ranged from $5,000 to $799,726, with a median of $55,000, and supported organizations across the United States. It states that proposals are evaluated by staff and approved through its International Group process; whether it accepts unsolicited requests is not stated.
Assets
$260.5M
Grants
540
Total Given
$44.1M
More Funders in Illinois
Stephenson Family Foundation a/K/a Celebrate Life Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?