The Christopher L & M Susan Gust
The Christopher L & M Susan Gust Foundation is a private foundation established in 2001 and based in Chicago, Illinois. The foundation operates as a family foundation with a strategic focus on inclusive education and human services, working primarily through partnerships with educational institutions and community organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$63.5M
+364.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.6M
-8.5% YoY
Grant Count
33
-17.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$47K
+10.9% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Christopher L & M Susan Gust reported a distributable amount of $3.1M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's primary mission centers on supporting inclusive and equitable education practices. Specifically, the foundation continues its partnership with Chicago Public Schools that are committed to school-wide inclusive and equitable practices for all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, or disability status.
Key program areas include:
- Inclusive Education: Supporting school communities through professional development, trainings, and seminars designed to cultivate inclusive and equitable visions for all students
- Staff Development: Providing funded travel and conference registrations for programs enhancing professional development
- Supplemental Support Services: Providing students with disabilities supplemental support services in the form of testing
- Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, and Human Services
Grantmaking
The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals.
Grant Range
$1,000 - $550,000
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with The Christopher L & M Susan Gust?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's grantmaking is primarily concentrated in:
- Chicago, Illinois (primary focus)
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- New York
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024
- Total assets: $63,489,877 - $63,499,877
- Total revenues: $52,378,714
- Total expenses: $2,544,075
- Annual giving: $1,549,945 - $1,559,945
- Number of employees: 4
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $63,489,877 | $13,655,238 | $14,060,902 |
| Revenue | $52,378,714 | $2,433,375 | $1,731,602 |
| Expenses | $2,544,075 | $2,838,903 | $2,313,288 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,389,185 | $2,706,517 | $2,163,178 |
| Net Investment Income | $2,234,212 | $2,306,237 | $1,617,707 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,098,102 | $2,396,161 | $2,404,149 |
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
194 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include St Ignatius College Prep ($550,000), University of Michigan ($300,000), Rehab Institute of Chicago (shirley Ryab Ability Lab) ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| ASPIRITECH EVANSTON, IL | GENERAL PURPOSE | $50,000 |
| BERNIE'S BOOK BANK LAKE BLUFF, IL | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,500 |
| CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT FUTURES EVANSTON, IL | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| CHICAGO COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA CHICAGO, IL | GENERAL PURPOSE | $10,000 |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLSHELEN C PEIRCE INTERNATIONAL STUDIES SCHOOL CHICAGO, IL | TEACHER TRAINING/SUPPORT | $8,800 |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLSJOHN FISKE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHICAGO, IL | TEACHER TRAINING/SUPPORT | $2,800 |
| CHICAGOLAND HOCKEY CHARITIES CRYSTAL LAKE, IL | GENERAL PURPOSE | $2,575 |
| CONCUSSION LEGACY FOUNDATION BOSTON, MA | GENERAL PURPOSE | $95,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Susan Gust, Founding Director
- Jennifer Larry, Co-Director
- Lindsay Kovarik, Co-Director
Contact Information
- Address: 141 W Jackson Blvd Ste 1310, Chicago, IL 60604-3103
- Phone: 312-543-1050
- Website: www.gustfoundation.org
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTOPHER L GUST | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| M SUSAN GUST | DIRECTOR | 15 | — |
| DIANE EDMUNDSON | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Christopher L & M Susan Gust fund?
The foundation's primary mission centers on supporting inclusive and equitable education practices. Specifically, the foundation continues its partnership with Chicago Public Schools that are committed to school-wide inclusive and equitable practices for all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender identity, or disability status. Key program areas include: • **Inclusive Education**: Supporting school communities through professional development, trainings, and seminars d…
How do I apply for a grant from The Christopher L & M Susan Gust?
**Grant Activity (2024)** • Number of grants awarded: 33-41 grants • Total annual giving: $1,549,945 - $1,559,945 • Grant range: $1,000 - $550,000 • Typical awards: $500-$550,000 **Application Process** The foundation operates on an invitation-only basis and does not accept unsolicited proposals.
Where does The Christopher L & M Susan Gust make grants?
The foundation's grantmaking is primarily concentrated in: • Chicago, Illinois (primary focus) • Illinois • Massachusetts • New York
What size grants does The Christopher L & M Susan Gust award?
In 2024, The Christopher L & M Susan Gust awarded 33 grants totaling $1.6M — an average of about $47K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Christopher L & M Susan Gust required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Christopher L & M Susan Gust reported a distributable amount of $3.1M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Christopher L & M Susan Gust's EIN?
The Christopher L & M Susan Gust's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 61-1405669. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.