The George M Van Cleave Family Foundation
The George M Van Cleave Family Foundation is a private foundation, based in Chicago, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2019 through 2023. In 2023, it awarded 1 grant totaling $27.7M. Net investment income was $3.9M.
The George M Van Cleave Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The George M Van Cleave Family Foundation gave $27.7M across 1 grant in 2023 (avg $27.7M), mostly in Illinois. Source: 2023 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2023)
- $27,714,784
- +1769.5% vs 2022
- Grants made (2023)
- 1
- +0.0% vs 2022
- Average grant
- $27,714,784
- +1769.5% vs 2022
- Median grant
- $27,714,784
- Primary geography
- Illinois (100% of itemized 2023 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2023 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2023; updated September 2026.
Who The George M Van Cleave Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top recipient in 2023
The largest 2023 recipient was See List Attached ($27.7M).
Grant Size Distribution
5 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $1–5M range: 3 grants of 5 (60%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of the 2023 grant dollars on its one itemized grant.
States
Cities
How The George M Van Cleave Family Foundation gives
- Giving grew 1688% from 2020 to 2023. Method
- In 2022 it paid out 138% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2023, annual grant giving ranged from $758K (2019) to $27.7M (2023). In 2023 it made 1 grant totaling $27.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| See List Attached Chicago, IL | General Purpose | $27,714,784 |
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | — | $4,077,481 | $28,176,428 | $27,714,784 | 1 | $27,921,438 | $3,858,268 | — |
| 2022 | $24,082,377 | $675,419 | $1,996,091 | $1,482,500 | 1 | $1,833,358 | $491,785 | $1,332,190 |
| 2021 | $25,455,043 | $1,369,793 | $2,288,586 | $1,605,000 | 1 | $1,776,626 | $1,027,967 | $1,545,517 |
| 2020 | $26,373,836 | $18,557,118 | $1,990,436 | $1,550,000 | 1 | — | $8,281,185 | $1,117,109 |
| 2019 | $17,469,349 | $18,598,330 | $1,111,581 | $757,500 | 1 | — | $8,462,949 | $370,203 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The George M Van Cleave Family Foundation is led by Karen L. Van Cleave, President & Treasurer since 2021 (on filings since 2019); 1 of 4 officers listed in 2023 is compensated.
Officers on the 2023 filing
Karen L. Van Cleave
President & Treasurer
President, Treasurer & Full-Time → President & Treasurer, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$250K (2019) → $125K (2023)
Late George M. Van Cleave
Chairman
New on the 2023 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diane Beresford
Secretary
Secretary & Part-Time → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul R. Van Cleave
Vice President
Vice President & Part-Time → Vice President, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (2)
- Former: George M. Van Cleave (2019–2022) — Chairman
- Former: Jo Ann Van Cleave (2019) — Vice President & Part-Time
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2023. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2023 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2023 filing was $125K, to Karen L Van Cleave (President/Treasurer).
Frequently asked questions about The George M Van Cleave Family Foundation
How much does The George M Van Cleave Family Foundation give each year?
The George M Van Cleave Family Foundation gave $27.7M across 1 grant in 2023, according to its 2023 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2022 it gave $1.5M across 1 grant.
Where does The George M Van Cleave Family Foundation operate?
The George M Van Cleave Family Foundation has awarded grants in Illinois.
What is The George M Van Cleave Family Foundation's EIN?
The George M Van Cleave Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-2789576. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2023.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS August 30, 2021)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2023
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Browse active grant opportunities in The George M Van Cleave Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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