The Kemper Foundation
The Kemper Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, and the philanthropic partner of Kemper Corporation. It supports charitable causes and organizations in education, health, and community development through financial support and employee volunteerism.
The Kemper Foundation at a glance
In short: The Kemper Foundation gave $2.0M across 145 grants in 2024 (avg $14K), top state Illinois. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $2,000,506
- -2.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 145
- +38.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $13,797
- -29.2% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $3,000
- Total assets
- $48,867,559
- +6.4% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Illinois (28% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026.
How to apply to The Kemper Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Read Conmigo applications are available to applicants who meet the program requirements and apply through its grant cycles.
- Contact
Mailing address: 200 East Randolph Street 3300, Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 332-3114
Website: https://thekemperfoundation.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 Kemper Foundation
Who The Kemper Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Northwestern University ($150K). Together the top 10 received $1.1M.
Organizations only. It also paid 92 grants to individuals ($293,473), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
510 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 453 grants of 510 (89%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s 2024 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in multiple states. Illinois received 28% of grant dollars, followed by California (13%), Texas (10%), Indiana (8%), and Wisconsin (7%). These figures describe the location of 2024 recipients.
Read Conmigo grants are available in specified counties in California, Florida, and Texas. For the School Impact Grant, the listed counties include Dallas and Hidalgo in Texas; the educator-grant eligibility information lists Dallas County.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 145 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How The Kemper Foundation gives
- In 2024 it paid out 114% 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 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $672K (2019) to $2.3M (2021, 17 months). In 2024 it made 145 grants totaling $2.0M.
*2021: Covers 17 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University Evanston, IL | 2024-2025 Kemper Scholars Program | $150,000 |
| The University of Chicago Chicago, IL | 2024-2025 Kemper Scholars Program | $150,000 |
| University of Notre Dame Du Lac Notre Dame, IN | 2024-2025 Kemper Scholars Program | $150,000 |
| University of Wisconsin Foundation Milwaukee, WI | 2024-2025 Kemper Scholars Program | $150,000 |
| American Heart Association Chicago, IL | 2024 Partnership | $103,250 |
| American Cancer Society Chicago, IL | Kemper's ACS Matching Gift Campaign | $94,322 |
| Unidosus Washington, DC | 2024 Partnership | $90,000 |
| Miles College Fairfield, AL | 2024-2024 Kemper Scholars | $85,000 |
| National Urban League New York, NY | 2024 Partnership | $79,300 |
| The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley McAllen, TX | 2024-2025 Kemper Scholars Program | $75,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Kemper Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $48,867,559 | $2,054,912 | $2,056,652 | $2,000,506 | 145 | $2,631,921 | $1,945,428 | $2,318,211 |
| 2023 | $45,921,287 | $1,355,739 | $2,119,751 | $2,045,915 | 105 | $2,699,033 | $1,412,771 | $2,152,031 |
| 2022 | $42,796,438 | $1,022,764 | $1,441,160 | $2,124,431 | 92 | $2,383,420 | $1,010,588 | $2,220,431 |
| 2021* | $51,015,800 | $2,022,021 | $2,656,790 | $2,273,488 | 93 | $983,533 | $2,002,266 | $1,034,642 |
| 2019 | $39,999,169 | $979,548 | $1,851,658 | $672,127 | 75 | — | $936,764 | — |
*2021: Covers 17 months (fiscal year-end changed).
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Kemper Foundation reported a distributable amount of $2.3M 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 stated focus areas are education, health, and community development. It says education should help people reach their potential and develop future leaders; health support includes research, patient and caregiver needs, and medical and disease education; and community development includes access to food and housing, civil rights, and advocacy for underserved Americans.
Its 2024 grants included support for universities and colleges, health organizations, and civil-rights and community organizations. Northwestern University describes its mission as combining excellent teaching, innovative research, and student growth in a diverse academic community. UNIDOSUS says it creates opportunities for Latinos, while the National Urban League describes itself as a civil-rights and community-based movement providing services, research, and policy advocacy.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 145 grants totaling $2,000,506. Grants ranged from $500 to $150,000, with a median of $3,000. The largest grants included $150,000 each to Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, the University of Notre Dame du Lac, and the University of Wisconsin Foundation, all for the 2024–2025 Kemper Scholars Program. Other notable awards included $103,250 to the American Heart Association for a 2024 partnership, $94,322 to the American Cancer Society for its matching-gift campaign, $90,000 to UNIDOSUS for a 2024 partnership, and $85,000 to Miles College for the Kemper Scholars program.
The foundation’s Read Conmigo program offers $3,000 educator grants and $10,000 School Impact Grants for Spanish-English dual-language education. Educator grants are for eligible teachers at public or charter elementary schools; school grants are for eligible Title I elementary schools with an established dual-language program. The listed eligible locations are specified counties in California, Florida, and Texas. School applications must be submitted by the principal. Educator applications are accepted in spring and fall cycles.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Joseph Lacher as chairman, Barbara Ciesemier as president, Robert O’Keefe as secretary, and Uchenna Hicks as treasurer. Trustees listed are Brad Camden, Charles Brooks, C Thomas Evans, John M Boschelli, and Laura Rock.
The Kemper Foundation is led by Barbara Ciesemier, President on the 2024 filing; none of the 9 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Barbara Ciesemier
President
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Lacher
Chairman
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
C. Thomas Evans Jr.
Trustee
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Charles Brooks
Trustee
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John M. Boschelli
Trustee
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brad Camden
Trustee
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laura Rock
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert O'Keefe
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Uchenna Hicks
Treasurer
New on the 2024 filing
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Ismat Aziz (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Jim McKinney (2019–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Chris Mullins (2019) — Trustee
- Former: Jerry Fuller (2019) — President
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "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 Kemper Foundation
How much does The Kemper Foundation give each year?
The Kemper Foundation gave $2.0M across 145 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.0M across 105 grants.
What is The Kemper Foundation's typical grant size?
The Kemper Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $3,000, and its average grant was $13,797, across 145 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Where does The Kemper Foundation give grants?
The Kemper Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 28% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (13%) and Texas (10%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (8 grants), McAllen, TX (4 grants), Washington, DC (3 grants) and Phoenix, AZ (3 grants).
Does The Kemper Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 145 grants with a stated purpose on The Kemper Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990-PF were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Read Conmigo Grant" (94 grants), "2024 Donation" (17 grants) and "2024-2025 Kemper Scholars Program" (7 grants).
Who are The Kemper Foundation's largest grantees?
The Kemper Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Northwestern University ($150,000), The University of Chicago ($150,000) and University of Notre Dame Du Lac ($150,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It also paid 92 grants to individuals ($293,473), which are not listed by name. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Kemper Foundation?
The Kemper Foundation reported $48.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $2.6M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $2.3M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Kemper Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated focus areas are education, health, and community development. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Kemper Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Kemper Foundation's EIN?
The Kemper Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6007812. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Does The Kemper Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
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 2019 (received by the IRS May 26, 2020)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS December 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 12, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Kemper Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Kemper Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-kemper-foundation-morg_77ba434c39c24480bab4dfc706544118
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366007812_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Kemper Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-kemper-foundation-morg_77ba434c39c24480bab4dfc706544118},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. 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 Kemper 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.
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