Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation
The Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation is a private foundation based in South Bend, Indiana. In 2025, it reported 62 grants totaling $47,327, including scholarships to individuals and support for charitable organizations.
Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation at a glance
In short: Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation gave $47K across 62 grants in 2025 (avg $763.339), mostly in Indiana. 6% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $47,327
- +3.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 62
- +1.6% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $763
- +1.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $500
- Total assets
- $633,007
- +1.2% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 6% first-time grantees (2 of 31, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Indiana (98% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation
- 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.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 1602, South Bend, IN 46634
Phone: (574) 235-2952
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was South Bend Symphony Orchestra ($2K). Together the top 10 received $9K.
Organizations only. It also paid 31 individual scholarships ($27,500), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
318 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 318 grants of 318 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 98% of grant dollars went to recipients in Indiana and 2% to recipients in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 62 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation open to new grantees?
6%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 2 of 31 grantees (6%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $400; repeat grants $656. How we count
Medians: $400 first-time, $500 repeat.
- 90% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−10%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 130% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $40K (2021) to $53K (2022). In 2025 it made 62 grants totaling $47K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| South Bend Symphony Orchestra South Bend, IN | General Support | $1,787 |
| 26 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $25,000 |
| Queen of Peace Church Mishawaka, IN | Support | $1,250 |
| St Vincent De Paul South Bend, IN | General Support | $1,000 |
| Holy Family Church South Bend, IN | General Support | $750 |
| St Anthony of Padua Walkerton, IN | Support | $750 |
| Polish Falcons of America Nest 4 South Bend, IN | Youth Fund | $750 |
| Christ The King South Bend, IN | General Support | $750 |
| St Stanislaus Kostka Church New Carlisle, IN | General Support | $750 |
| St Ann Catholic Church Cassopolis, MI | Support | $750 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $633,007 | $76,094 | $69,118 | $47,327 | 62 | $47,327 | $37,727 | $36,449 |
| 2024 | $625,607 | $62,281 | $65,342 | $45,826 | 61 | $45,826 | $55,547 | $34,905 |
| 2023 | $629,044 | $43,469 | $65,875 | $46,344 | 65 | $46,344 | $39,876 | $34,336 |
| 2022 | $651,576 | $27,580 | $74,654 | $52,791 | 72 | $52,791 | $24,238 | $38,415 |
| 2021 | $698,882 | $77,846 | $62,238 | $40,275 | 58 | $40,275 | $74,134 | $41,578 |
| 2020 | $683,379 | $44,294 | $65,410 | $43,475 | 65 | — | $40,532 | $40,049 |
| 2019 | $704,150 | $72,146 | $64,008 | $44,130 | 62 | — | $68,778 | $37,005 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation reported a distributable amount of $36K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants included scholarships and support for organizations working in areas such as music, youth activities, food assistance, theater, family support, and senior adult learning. For example, the South Bend Symphony Orchestra describes its mission as inspiring, entertaining, and connecting people through orchestral music. The Food Bank of Northern Indiana says it works with the community to feed people experiencing hunger and address its effects.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 62 grants totaling $47,327. Awards ranged from $300 to $1,787, with a median grant of $500. The largest listed grant was $1,787 to the South Bend Symphony Orchestra for general support. The foundation also awarded $1,500 scholarships to several individuals.
Other 2025 recipients included Polish Falcons of America Nest 4 ($750), St. Margaret’s House ($500), the Food Bank of Northern Indiana ($500), South Bend Civic Theatre ($500), Hope Ministries ($500), Women’s Care Center ($500), and Forever Learning Institute ($500). These organizations describe their work variously as supporting youth activities, welcoming women and children experiencing economic poverty, feeding people facing hunger, enriching community through live theater, providing Christian service, supporting women and families, and improving senior adults’ lives through learning and social interaction.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Camille Bujeker as president; Mary Pluta as treasurer; Elaine Dulcet as secretary; Mark Klota as scholarship chair; Kevin Matuszak as photographer; Leona Adams Bob as historian; Eric Szajko as a board member; and 1st Source Bank as trustee.
Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation is led by Camille Bujeker, President since 2020 (on filings since 2019); all 8 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Camille Bujeker
President
Member → President, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$950 (2019) → $900 (2025)
Mark Klota
Scholarship Chair
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$1K (2019) → $900 (2025)
1st Source Bank
Trustee
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$8K (2019) → $8K (2025)
Elaine Dulcet
Secretary
Vice President → Secretary, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$1K (2019) → $900 (2025)
Kevin Matuszak
Photographer
Board Memember → Photographer, 2020
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$800 (2019) → $900 (2025)
Mary Pluta
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$1K (2019) → $900 (2025)
Leona Adams Bob
Historian
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
$900 (2020) → $1K (2025)
Eric Szajko
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
$100 (2021) → $900 (2025)
Former officers (3)
- Former: Carol Evans Passed Away In (2020) — Prior President
- Former: Carol Evans (2019) — President
- Former: Chrles Zawistowski (2019) — Memeber
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $8K, to 1ST Source Bank (Trustee). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation
How much does Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation give each year?
Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation gave $47K across 62 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $46K across 61 grants.
What is Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation's typical grant size?
Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $500, and its average grant was $763, across 62 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation that year got $400 on average.
Where does Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation give grants?
Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation gives mostly in Indiana: 98% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were South Bend, IN (23 grants) and Mishawaka, IN (4 grants).
Does Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 29% of Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (18 of 62) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (33 grants) and "Support" (7 grants).
Who are Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation's largest grantees?
Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include South Bend Symphony Orchestra ($1,787), Queen of Peace Church ($1,250) and St Vincent De Paul ($1,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 31 individual scholarships ($27,500), which are not listed by name. Together they received 9% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation?
Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation reported $633K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $47K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $36K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants included scholarships and support for organizations working in areas such as music, youth activities, food assistance, theater, family support, and senior adult learning. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski 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 ↑
What is Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation's EIN?
Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7355916. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Does Sylvester and Tessie Kaminski Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(3)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 4, 2020)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 6, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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