The Kara Foundation
The Kara Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private foundation headquartered in Libertyville, Illinois. Established in 1990, the foundation operates as a non-profit grantmaking organization serving communities across the United States. The foundation employs 3 staff members and takes an unconventional approach to philanthropy, making creative charitable grants to a variety of worthy causes across multiple charitable domains.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$406K
+7.0% YoY
Grant Count
15
-11.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$27K
+21.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is guided by its motto "Audacia et Ira" and uses its capital—both monetary and human—to provide unconventional grants and support to worthy causes in a variety of charitable domains.
Grantmaking
The Kara Foundation is a grantmaking organization that made 55 grants in 2024. Recent grants include:
Ready to take the next step with The Kara Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 31, 2024:
- Total Assets: $12,641,149
- Total Revenues: $866,064
- Total Expenses: $662,966
- Investment Income and Dividends: $337,662
- Staff: 3 employees
Year-over-year comparison (2024 vs. 2023): Investment income and dividends increased 106.7% from $163,377 in 2023 to $337,662 in 2024.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
133 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Lakeland School of Walworth County ($83,500), Mobile Cares Chicago ($60,000), Town of Burlington Volunteer Fire Department ($45,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BURLINGTON SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER BURLINGTON, WI | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $22,500 |
| DONKA INC WHEATON, IL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| GIVENKIND BUFFALO GROVE, IL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $8,000 |
| LAKE GENEVA FOOD PANTRY LAKE GENEVA, WI | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| LAKELAND SCHOOL OF WALWORTH COUNTY ELKHORN, WI | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $83,500 |
| LIBERTYVILLE TOWNSHIP FOOD PANTRY LIBERTYVILLE, IL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| LIFELINE PILOTS PEORIA, IL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $37,500 |
| MOBILE CARES CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $60,000 |
| NAPERVILLE RESPONDS FOR OUR VETERANS NAPERVILLE, IL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| SMILES DARIEN, WI | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $35,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| PATRICK S DEMOON III | CO- PRESIDENT/TREASURER | 25 | $58,897 |
| PAUL DEMOON | VICE-PRESIDENT | 25 | $60,000 |
| ANTHONY DEMOON | CO-PRESIDENT/ SECRETARY | 25 | $58,725 |
| JUDITH A DEMOON | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
| PATRICK DEMOON SR | BOARD MEMBER | 1 | — |
Contact Information
Mailing Address: 1520 Artaius Parkway, #7290 Libertyville, IL 60048-7900
Email: info@thekarafoundation.org
Website: thekarafoundation.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Kara Foundation fund?
The foundation is guided by its motto "Audacia et Ira" and uses its capital—both monetary and human—to provide unconventional grants and support to worthy causes in a variety of charitable domains.
How do I apply for a grant from The Kara Foundation?
The Kara Foundation is a grantmaking organization that made 55 grants in 2024. Recent grants include: • Special Methods in Learning Equine Skills: $35,000 (Operational Support, December 2024) • Naperville Responds for Our Veterans: $25,000 (Operational Support, December 2024) • Donka Incorporated: $20,000 (Operational Support, December 2024) • Phillips Park Zoo (grantee noted in foundation records)
What size grants does The Kara Foundation award?
In 2024, The Kara Foundation awarded 15 grants totaling $406K — an average of about $27K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is The Kara Foundation's EIN?
The Kara Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3779796. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Kara Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Green and Blue Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$51K
Above and Beyond Daycare Center
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, IL
Assets
—
Grants
0
Total Given
—
Primo Center for Women & Children
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$9.7M
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
RHS Foundation
MOLINE, IL
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
37
Total Given
$342K
Rose Lafferty Educational Fund Xxxxx9006
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$3.4M
Grants
1
Total Given
$228K
The John Crerar Foundation
CHICAGO, IL
Assets
$991K
Grants
1
Total Given
$35K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with The Kara Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching The Kara Foundation to a real strategy.