The Kardos Family Foundation
The Kardos Family Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Lake Forest, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 21 grants totaling $125K. Net investment income was $268K.
Key facts about The Kardos Family Foundation
- EIN
- 37-6371315
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $125,000
- Grants made (2024)
- 21
- Average grant
- $5,952
- Median grant
- $5,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 21, 2024)
- Total assets
- $3,458,931
- Primary geography
- Illinois (22% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Who The Kardos Family Foundation funds
By grant dollars, the top recipient states for The Kardos Family Foundation's 21 itemized 2024 grants were Illinois (22%), Massachusetts (20%) and Pennsylvania (12%). The most frequent recipient cities were Stockbridge, MA (3 grants) and Chicago, IL (2 grants). None of its 21 grants with a stated purpose were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Provide Assistance to Those in Need" (20 grants).
Is The Kardos Family Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 21 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. How we count
- 100% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (+12%). Method
- In 2024 it paid out 102% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized IRS Form 990-PF grant lists (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Next steps with The Kardos Family Foundation
- How to evaluate The Kardos Family Foundation as a funder
Our grant prospecting guide: read the 990-PF, check fit, and decide whether to apply.
- Draft an LOI to The Kardos Family Foundation with AI
AI grant writing that drafts from your organization’s own materials, in your voice.
- Track this opportunity in a free grant tracker
A free Google Sheets or Excel template for deadlines, award terms, and reports due.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.5M
+2.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$125K
+11.6% YoY
Grant Count
21
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$6K
+11.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Kardos Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $189K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
About The Kardos Family Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Kardos Family Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Lake Forest, IL. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $3.5M in total assets. In 2024, it awarded 21 grants totaling $125K. Net investment income was $268K.
Focus Areas
Ready to take the next step with The Kardos Family Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 21 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,458,931 | $3,383,542 | $3,446,855 |
| Revenue | $334,027 | $183,336 | $314,606 |
| Expenses | $258,638 | $246,649 | $243,875 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $192,629 | $178,914 | $177,359 |
| Net Investment Income | $268,278 | $123,951 | $252,121 |
| Distributable Amount | $188,600 | $177,588 | $174,323 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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
100 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest recipients include Association of Marian Helper ($10,000), Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Churc ($10,000), Help Hope Live Foundation ($10,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ASSOCIATION OF MARIAN HELPER Stockbridge, MA | PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED | $10,000 |
| EPIPHANY OF THE LORD CATHOLIC CHURC Katy, TX | PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED | $10,000 |
| HELP HOPE LIVE FOUNDATION Radnor, PA | PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED | $10,000 |
| LCI - TWELVE RIVERS FOUNDATION Steubenville, OH | PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED | $10,000 |
| LOYOLA ACADEMY Wilmette, IL | PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED | $10,000 |
| MARIANS OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTIO Stockbridge, MA | PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED | $10,000 |
| OUR LADY OF SORROWS BASILICA Chicago, IL | PROVIE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED | $10,000 |
| PIARIST FATHERS Martin, KY | PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED | $10,000 |
| LIFEWISE ST LOUIS St Louis, MO | PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED | $7,500 |
| FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN Coon Rapids, MN | PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO THOSE IN NEED | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 IRS filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Kardos | Ttee | 7 | — |
| Paulette Kardos | Ttee | 7 | — |
| Diane Kardos Kavanagh | Ttee | 7 | $30,000 |
| Brian Kardos | Ttee | 7 | $40,000 |
| Dan Kavanagh | Ttee | 4 | — |
| Paula Jean Runge | Ttee | 4 | — |
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Kardos Family Foundation?
The Kardos Family Foundation is a private foundation focused on Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking, based in Lake Forest, IL. It holds $3.5M in total assets as of 2024.
How large is The Kardos Family Foundation?
As of 2024, The Kardos Family Foundation holds $3.5M in total assets with $334K in annual revenue. It awarded 21 grants totaling $125K in 2024.
Where does The Kardos Family Foundation operate?
The Kardos Family Foundation has awarded grants in District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin.
What size grants does The Kardos Family Foundation award?
In 2024, The Kardos Family Foundation awarded 21 grants totaling $125K — an average of about $6K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Kardos Family Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Kardos Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $189K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Kardos Family Foundation's EIN?
The Kardos Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 37-6371315. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Kardos Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
Assets
$6.0B
Grants
3,976
Total Given
$1.4B
Dr Scholl Foundation
Northbrook, IL
Assets
—
Grants
410
Total Given
$8.9M
Leonard Family Charitable Foundation
Arlington HTS, IL
Assets
$3K
Grants
5
Total Given
$2K
Jocarno Fund
Oak Park, IL
Assets
—
Grants
69
Total Given
$178K
Draper and Kramer Foundation
Chicago, IL
Assets
$2K
Grants
24
Total Given
$47K
Evans Beneditz Missionary
Elmhurst, IL
Assets
—
Grants
9
Total Given
$50K
Arthur J Gallagher Foundation
Rolling Meadows, IL
Assets
—
Grants
2,692
Total Given
$1.6M
The Allstate Foundation
Northbrook, IL
Assets
—
Grants
2,010
Total Given
$38.0M
Elks National Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
Assets
$885.0M
Grants
1,485
Total Given
$31.9M
Baxter International Foundation
Deerfield, IL
Assets
$67.5M
Grants
1,300
Total Given
$13.7M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur
Chicago, IL
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Arie and Ida Crown Memorial
Chicago, IL
Assets
—
Grants
897
Total Given
$115.2M
More Funders in Illinois
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings.