The Makray Family Foundation
The Makray Family Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. In filing year 2026, it reported making 25 grants totaling $1,157,000 to charitable organizations, including organizations working in areas such as biblical counseling, health, ministry training, conservation, and cultural history.
The Makray Family Foundation at a glance
In short: The Makray Family Foundation gave $1.2M across 25 grants in 2026 (avg $46K), top state Illinois. 16% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $1,157,000
- +3.6% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 25
- +25.0% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $46,280
- -17.1% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $18,956,376
- +6.2% vs 2025
- New grantees (estimate)
- 16% first-time grantees (4 of 25, 2026)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (38% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2026; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Makray Family Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 333 W Wacker Drive 1700, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 332-1111
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Makray Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Biblical Counseling Center ($166K). Together the top 10 received $886K.
Grant Size Distribution
95 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 47 grants of 95 (49%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
For filing year 2026, the largest shares of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois (38%) and California (33%). Other reported recipient-state shares were Arkansas (9%), Hawaii (5%), and Arizona (4%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The Makray Family Foundation open to new grantees?
16%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 4 of 25 grantees (16%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $30K; repeat grants $49K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 76% of 2026 grantees were also funded in 2025. Method
- Giving fell 25% from 2023 to 2026. Method
- In 2026 it paid out 93% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Foundations have until the end of the next year to meet it. Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2021–2026). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $375K (2022) to $1.5M (2023). In 2026 it made 25 grants totaling $1.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Biblical Counseling Center Winfield, IL | General Purposes | $166,000 |
| Alzheimer's Association San Jose, CA | General Purposes | $100,000 |
| Moody Bible Institute of Chicago Chicago, IL | General Purposes | $100,000 |
| Ron Hutchcraft Ministries Inc Harrison, AR | General Purposes | $100,000 |
| The Orchard Church Barrington, IL | General Purposes | $100,000 |
| CHP 11-99 Foundation (California Highway Patrol) Costa Mesa, CA | General Purposes | $90,000 |
| Point Blue Conservation Science Petaluma, CA | General Purposes | $80,000 |
| Culture City Church Cicero, IL | General Purposes | $50,000 |
| Global Training Network Peoria, AZ | General Purposes | $50,000 |
| International Crane Foundation Baraboo, WI | General Purposes | $50,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Makray Family 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $18,956,376 | $2,608,085 | $1,493,108 | $1,157,000 | 25 | $1,157,025 | $2,330,119 | $1,248,456 |
| 2025 | $17,841,399 | $2,596,596 | $1,408,487 | $1,117,000 | 20 | $1,117,025 | $2,331,260 | $1,190,030 |
| 2024 | $16,653,290 | $1,039,407 | $1,235,332 | $982,000 | 21 | $982,025 | $756,320 | $1,085,351 |
| 2023 | $16,849,215 | $742,850 | $1,769,487 | $1,535,000 | 19 | $1,535,025 | $487,751 | $1,064,711 |
| 2022 | $17,875,852 | $1,442,340 | $615,586 | $375,000 | 10 | $375,015 | $1,176,095 | $1,160,017 |
| 2021 | $17,049,098 | $472,473 | $570,169 | $392,000 | 12 | — | $246,563 | $969,836 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Makray Family Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.2M for 2026 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2026 grants went to organizations with varied missions. For example, the Biblical Counseling Center says it provides biblical counseling and training to improve individual wellbeing; the International Crane Foundation says it works toward a world where cranes, people, and natural heritage thrive together; and the American Air Museum in Britain says it commemorates the role of air power in preserving freedom through stories of heroism and aircraft.
Other 2026 recipients include the Climate Center, which describes its work as reducing climate pollution at scale, starting in California; WildCare, which supports people living well with wildlife through advocacy, education, and medical care for wild animals; and North Park University, which says it prepares students for lives of significance and service through liberal arts and theological studies.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2026, the foundation reported 25 grants totaling $1,157,000. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $166,000, with a median grant of $30,000. The largest listed grants included $166,000 to the Biblical Counseling Center; $100,000 each to the Alzheimer’s Association, Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, Ron Hutchcraft Ministries, and The Orchard Church; and $90,000 to the CHP 11-99 Foundation.
Other listed grants included $80,000 to Point Blue Conservation Science and $50,000 each to Culture City Church, Global Training Network, the International Crane Foundation, and WorldPartners Foundation. The Climate Center received $30,000, WildCare received $25,000, and North Park University received $20,000.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2026 filing lists Paul Makray Jr as president, treasurer, and director, and Carol Donohoe as vice president, secretary, and director.
The Makray Family Foundation is led by Paul Makray Jr., President, Trs & Director on every filing since 2021; none of the 2 officers listed in 2026 report compensation.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Paul Makray Jr.
President, Trs & Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carol Donohoe
Vice President, Secretary & Director
On filings since 2021
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2026. "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 Makray Family Foundation
How much does The Makray Family Foundation give each year?
The Makray Family Foundation gave $1.2M across 25 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2025 it gave $1.1M across 20 grants.
What is The Makray Family Foundation's typical grant size?
The Makray Family Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $30,000, and its average grant was $46,280, across 25 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Makray Family Foundation that year got $30K on average.
Where does The Makray Family Foundation give grants?
The Makray Family Foundation's top state is Illinois, with 38% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were California (33%) and Arkansas (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (3 grants), Santa Rosa, CA (2 grants), Kailuakona, HI (2 grants) and San Francisco, CA (2 grants).
Does The Makray Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Makray Family Foundation's 2026 grants with a stated purpose (25 of 25) were for general or operating support, per its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Makray Family Foundation's largest grantees?
The Makray Family Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Biblical Counseling Center ($166,000), Alzheimer's Association ($100,000) and Moody Bible Institute of Chicago ($100,000), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 32% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is The Makray Family Foundation?
The Makray Family Foundation reported $19.0M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $1.2M (roughly 5% of its investment assets). Falling short in one year is not a violation: foundations have until the end of the next year to meet the minimum.
What does The Makray Family Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2026 grants went to organizations with varied missions. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Makray Family Foundation?
The foundation states that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Makray Family Foundation's EIN?
The Makray Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4298517. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2026.
Does The Makray Family 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 September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS July 23, 2021)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS June 8, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS June 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 18, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS June 8, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Live grants for the work The Makray Family Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Makray Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Makray Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-makray-family-foundation-morg_33a37ea6a2674fb795e95ffb2ff48d59
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364298517_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Makray Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-makray-family-foundation-morg_33a37ea6a2674fb795e95ffb2ff48d59},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Makray Family 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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