The Christopher Family Foundation
The Christopher Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Westmont, Illinois, that supports family well-being and nonprofit organizations working to strengthen families and communities. Created in 1997 by Jay W. and Doris K. Christopher, it grew out of The Pampered Chef, which they founded in 1980.
The Christopher Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Christopher Family Foundation gave $4.5M across 81 grants in 2024 (avg $56K), mostly in Illinois. 17% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $4,516,136
- +10.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 81
- -22.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $55,755
- +43.4% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $74,329,103
- +2.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 17% first-time grantees (14 of 81, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (91% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Christopher Family Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Submit a letter of inquiry through the online portal. New applicants are encouraged to introduce their organization to the foundation before submitting an inquiry. Some inquiry applicants are invited to submit full proposals.
- Contact
Application contact: Clare Butterfield
Mailing address: 640 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
Phone: (630) 225-8120
Email: clare@christopherff.org
Website: https://christopherff.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The Christopher Family Foundation
Who The Christopher Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Chicago Community Foundation ($290K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
500 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 339 grants of 500 (68%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation says most of its funding focuses on Chicago’s West Side, especially Austin. In 2024, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 3% to Minnesota, 2% to Wisconsin, and 1% each to California and Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 81 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Christopher Family Foundation open to new grantees?
17%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 81 grantees (17%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $32K; repeat grants $61K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 79% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 47% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 133% of 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.1M (2021) to $4.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 81 grants totaling $4.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Community Foundation Chicago, IL | General Support | $290,000 |
| Forefront Chicago, IL | General Support | $280,000 |
| Walther Lutheran High School Association Inc Melrose Park, IL | General Support | $219,636 |
| Children First Fund Chicago, IL | General Support | $200,000 |
| Ann & Robert H Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago Foundation Chicago, IL | General Support | $160,000 |
| Lutheran Music Program Minneapolis, MN | General Support | $150,000 |
| Northern Illinois Food Bank Geneva, IL | General Support | $150,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago Inc Chicago, IL | General Support | $105,000 |
| Cara Program Chicago, IL | General Support | $100,000 |
| Garfield Park Community Council Chicago, IL | General Support | $100,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Christopher Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation reported 81 grants in 2024, 105 in 2023, and 109 in 2022.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $74,329,103 | $7,318,107 | $5,711,158 | $4,516,136 | 81 | $5,250,376 | $3,595,174 | $3,934,683 |
| 2023 | $72,722,407 | $12,390,718 | $5,095,353 | $4,082,799 | 105 | $4,680,211 | $1,711,047 | $3,505,773 |
| 2022 | $65,426,442 | $2,869,913 | $5,321,515 | $4,276,963 | 109 | $4,985,220 | $1,499,819 | $2,916,174 |
| 2021 | $67,877,929 | $24,538,275 | $3,878,184 | $3,065,206 | 112 | $3,564,081 | $3,330,590 | $2,731,121 |
| 2020 | $47,217,838 | $14,856,235 | $3,785,851 | $3,128,658 | 93 | — | $8,540,853 | $1,904,786 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Christopher Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to support family well-being. Its program areas are education, employment, entrepreneurship, and food security.
In education, it supports schools and nonprofits providing safe, culturally affirming, inclusive settings where young people can grow academically, socially, and emotionally, with an emphasis on out-of-school-time programs. Its employment funding focuses on pathways to family-sustaining wages for people facing barriers to employment. Entrepreneurship grants support nonprofits that provide training, coaching, or capital to people starting or growing businesses. Food security funding supports programs addressing hunger and access to nourishing food, with a focus on Chicago’s Austin neighborhood.
The foundation funds nonprofit organizations. Among its 2024 grantees, Northern Illinois Food Bank described its work as providing meals through a network of food pantries and programs, while The Cara Program described its mission as building an inclusive economy through employment pathways. Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago said its mission is to help young people reach their potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. These are the grantees’ stated missions, not the foundation’s.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation made 81 grants totaling $4,516,136. Grants ranged from $100 to $290,000, with a median of $50,000. The largest awards included $290,000 to Chicago Community Foundation, $280,000 to Forefront, $219,636 to an individual recipient High School Association, $200,000 to Children First Fund, and $160,000 to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation. Each was listed for general support.
The foundation has two grant cycles each year: education grants are made in the first half of the year, and employment, entrepreneurship, and food security grants in the second half. Applications begin with a letter of inquiry covering the organization’s history, the proposed project, and the requested amount; some applicants are invited to submit full proposals. Organizations must apply through the foundation’s online portal. The foundation looks for strong program design, clear measures of success, evaluation, and a commitment to learning and collaboration. It prefers programmatic or general support over capital requests; it considers general support requests from organizations it has partnered with before. It accepts one full proposal per organization per year. The foundation generally does not fund individuals, government entities, or 509(a)(3) supporting organizations, though exceptions may be made for publicly supported charities, and it does not fund policy advocacy.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Doris K. Christopher, Jay Christopher, and Kelley Christopher Schueler as trustees. The foundation’s website says its Distribution Committee includes multiple generations of the Christopher family.
The Christopher Family Foundation's 2024 filing lists 3 officers; none of the 3 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Doris K. Christopher
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jay Christopher
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kelley Christopher Schueler
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
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.
Frequently asked questions about The Christopher Family Foundation
How much does The Christopher Family Foundation give each year?
The Christopher Family Foundation gave $4.5M across 81 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $4.1M across 105 grants.
What is The Christopher Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Christopher Family Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $50,000, and its average grant was $55,755, across 81 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Christopher Family Foundation that year got $32K on average.
Where does The Christopher Family Foundation give grants?
The Christopher Family Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (50 grants), Northbrook, IL (3 grants), Evanston, IL (2 grants) and Oak Park, IL (2 grants).
Does The Christopher Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Christopher Family Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (81 of 81) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Christopher Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Christopher Family Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Chicago Community Foundation ($290,000), Forefront ($280,000) and Walther Lutheran High School Association Inc ($219,636), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Christopher Family Foundation?
The Christopher Family Foundation reported $74.3M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.3M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.9M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Christopher Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is to support family well-being. Its program areas are education, employment, entrepreneurship, and food security. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Christopher Family Foundation?
Submit a letter of inquiry through the online portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Christopher Family Foundation's EIN?
The Christopher Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-7092282. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 12, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS October 28, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS August 28, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Christopher Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders with grantees in common, and similar funders in Illinois
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds eligible nonprofits working to narrow the wealth gap and meet urgent needs, with priorities including economic mobility, education, jobs, homeownership, and community development in metropolitan Chicago and Cook County. Its 2025 grants had a median of $26,500, though amounts varied widely; the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
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
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 education, the environment, health and human services, gun violence prevention, homelessness prevention, and Jewish community and Israel initiatives, with a strong focus on Chicago and giving across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, its grants ranged from $500 to $3 million, with a median of $55,000. It uses an invitation-only process and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
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 through Elks Lodges and state associations across the United States. Its 2026 grants had a median size of $10,000, though awards varied widely; the profile describes application routes for specific Lodge and scholarship programs but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$954.1M
Grants
1,536
Total Given
$36.5M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Christopher Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-christopher-family-foundation-morg_c89033c1bec347b8a6e07d00fae916f5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_367092282_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Christopher Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-christopher-family-foundation-morg_c89033c1bec347b8a6e07d00fae916f5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Christopher Family Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The Christopher Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?