The Negaunee Foundation
The Negaunee Foundation is a private foundation based in Northbrook, Illinois. In 2024, it awarded grants to organizations including arts and music institutions, an environmental organization, and a medical institution.
Key facts about The Negaunee Foundation
In short: The Negaunee Foundation gave $33.8M across 114 grants in 2024 (avg $296K), mostly in Illinois. 10% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- EIN
- 36-3555046
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024
- Annual giving (2024)
- $33,751,490
- Grants made (2024)
- 114
- Average grant
- $296,066
- Median grant
- $60,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 10% first-time grantees (10 of 99, 2024)
- Total assets
- $615,618,721
- Primary geography
- Illinois (85% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$615.6M
+16.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$33.8M
-19.3% YoY
Grant Count
114
+8.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$296K
-25.6% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Negaunee Foundation reported a distributable amount of $29.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Is The Negaunee Foundation open to new grantees?
10%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 99 grantees (10%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $642K; repeat grants $307K. How we count
Medians: $19K first-time, $50K repeat.
- 88% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 80% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 125% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided here. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in areas including music, opera, performing arts, environmental conservation, and medicine. For example, Lyric Opera of Chicago describes its work as providing cultural service to the Chicago region and nation and advancing opera. Openlands says it protects natural and open spaces in northeastern Illinois and the surrounding region. Merit School of Music describes its work as removing barriers to high-quality music education for young people.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 114 grants totaling $33,751,490. Grant amounts ranged from $1,000 to $6,150,000, with a median of $60,000. Among the largest awards were $6,150,000 to Ravinia Festival, $4,550,000 to the Field Museum, $2,860,000 to Chicago Botanic Garden, and $2,500,000 to the IL Saint Andrew Society. Other notable grants included $2,050,000 to The Colburn School, $1,500,000 to Lyric Opera of Chicago, and $1,060,000 to Openlands.
Ready to take the next step with The Negaunee Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2024, 85% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 8% to California, 2% to New York, 2% to Ohio, and 1% to Georgia. The listed grants include recipients in the Chicago area and Highland Park, Illinois; Los Angeles, California; and Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of all 114 itemized 2024 grant dollars.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $16.6M (2020) to $41.8M (2023). In 2024 it made 114 grants totaling $33.8M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Ravina Festival ($6.2M). Together the top 10 received $25.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
535 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 253 grants of 535 (47%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Ravina Festival Highland Park, IL | Restricted Use | $6,150,000 |
| Field Museum Chicago, IL | Restricted Use | $4,550,000 |
| Chicago Botanic Garden Glencoe, IL | Restricted Use | $2,860,000 |
| IL Saint Andrew Society Riverside, IL | Restricted Use | $2,500,000 |
| The Colburn School Los Angeles, CA | Restricted Use | $2,050,000 |
| WTTW - Network Chicago Chicago, IL | Restricted Use | $1,650,000 |
| Lyric Opera of Chicago Chicago, IL | Restricted Use | $1,500,000 |
| Openlands Chicago, IL | Restricted | $1,060,000 |
| Music Institute of Chicago Evanston, IL | Restricted Use | $1,000,000 |
| Merit School of Music Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $1,000,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grant sum | Grant count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $615,618,721 | $65,286,969 | $37,509,871 | $33,751,490 | 114 |
| 2023 | $527,628,201 | $111,485,176 | $44,081,806 | $41,798,642 | 105 |
| 2022 | $331,313,275 | $44,044,070 | $23,078,485 | $20,698,278 | 107 |
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $615,618,721 | $527,628,201 | $331,313,275 |
| Revenue | $65,286,969 | $111,485,176 | $44,044,070 |
| Expenses | $37,509,871 | $44,081,806 | $23,078,485 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $37,153,862 | $43,837,190 | $2,123,878 |
| Net Investment Income | $8,884,166 | $8,316,548 | $12,856,274 |
| Distributable Amount | $29,712,933 | $23,860,425 | $19,091,848 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Richard Colburn as president and director, Robin T. Colburn as vice president and director, Ewa Jones as secretary, and Dale Kuntz, Debbie Creek, and Heather McCowen as directors.
The Negaunee Foundation's 2024 filing lists 6 officers; none of the 6 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Dale Kuntz
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Debbie Creek
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Heather McCowen
Director
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ewa Jones
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Richard Colburn
Presidentdirector
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robin T. Colburn
Vice Presidentdirector
On filings since 2020
15 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Contact
Mailing address: 555 Skokie Blvd Ste 555, Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone: (847) 480-4690
Frequently asked questions about The Negaunee Foundation
How much does The Negaunee Foundation give each year?
The Negaunee Foundation gave $33.8M across 114 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $41.8M across 105 grants.
What is The Negaunee Foundation's typical grant size?
The Negaunee Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $60,000, and its average grant was $296,066, across 114 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Negaunee Foundation that year got $642K on average.
Where does The Negaunee Foundation give grants?
The Negaunee Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was California (8%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (36 grants), New York, NY (12 grants), Lake Forest, IL (8 grants) and Evanston, IL (6 grants).
Does The Negaunee Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 74% of The Negaunee Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (84 of 114) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Restricted Use" (19 grants) and "Restricted" (8 grants).
Who are The Negaunee Foundation's largest grantees?
The Negaunee Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Ravina Festival ($6,150,000), Field Museum ($4,625,000 across 2 grants) and Chicago Botanic Garden ($2,960,000 across 2 grants), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 41% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The Negaunee Foundation?
The Negaunee Foundation reported $615.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $37.2M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $29.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Negaunee Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided here. Its 2024 grants show support for organizations working in areas including music, opera, performing arts, environmental conservation, and medicine. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Negaunee Foundation?
The foundation 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 Negaunee Foundation's EIN?
The Negaunee Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3555046. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does The Negaunee Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching The Negaunee Foundation by hand.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Negaunee Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Red Bird Hollow Foundation
Lake Forest, IL
The Red Bird Hollow Foundation supports a range of charitable causes, including environmental conservation, music, education, and public policy. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $100,000, with a median of $5,000, and most funding went to Illinois organizations. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.5M
Grants
28
Total Given
$360K
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
$16.6M
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
AbbVie Foundation
North Chicago, IL
The AbbVie Foundation funds health equity, access to care, cancer care, and community-led health solutions through partnerships and local programs, supporting communities worldwide. Its 2025 grants ranged from $8,000 to $15 million, with a median of $25,000. It says it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests; a separate Health Equity Accelerator is listed as encouraging applications, but its application details are not specified.
Assets
$265.6M
Grants
65
Total Given
$47.1M
Zell Family Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Zell Family Foundation funds education, arts, health care, and other charitable organizations, with 88% of its 2024 grant dollars going to Illinois. Its 54 grants ranged from $5,000 to $25 million, with a median of about $156,000; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$119.6M
Grants
54
Total Given
$65.0M
Dean L & Rosemarie Buntrock Foundation
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
The foundation supports a broad range of charitable, educational, religious, arts, and public-policy organizations, with 2024 grants ranging from $50 to $250,000 and a median of $1,250. Most grant dollars went to Illinois, with additional support in California, South Dakota, Virginia, and Iowa. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$4.6M
Grants
95
Total Given
$1.3M
The Irving Harris Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Irving Harris Foundation funds reproductive health and justice, infant and early childhood mental health and education, Jewish values, and arts and culture, with an emphasis on racial equity and movement-building. In 2024, it made 337 grants totaling $22.1 million; the median grant was $25,000, though awards ranged widely. It is based in Chicago, with the largest share of 2024 funding going to Illinois, and the profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
—
Grants
337
Total Given
$22.1M
John D and Catherine T Macarthur
Chicago, IL
The foundation funds a broad range of work, including journalism, arts, Chicago communities, climate and clean energy, homelessness, human rights, and criminal justice reform. Its 2024 grants had a median of $160,000, with awards ranging from $450 to $21 million; funding is nationwide, with the largest shares going to New York, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. Application rules vary by program: some accept self-nominations or Letters of Inquiry, while others generally do not fund unsolicited proposals.
Assets
$9.3B
Grants
1,086
Total Given
$356.1M
Synchrony Foundation
Stamford, CT
In 2024, Synchrony Foundation supported charitable organizations across workforce development, education, financial assistance, and giving, with grants ranging from $150 to $2.6 million and a median of $10,000. Its largest shares of grant funding went to Connecticut, New York, and South Carolina, followed by the District of Columbia and New Jersey; it does not accept unsolicited requests and funds preselected organizations only.
Assets
$72.3M
Grants
394
Total Given
$20.5M
The Chicago Community Trust
Chicago, IL
The Chicago Community Trust funds nonprofits addressing economic mobility, wealth gaps, and urgent community needs, with priorities including homeownership, small businesses, education, quality jobs, and investment in underinvested communities. Its 2025 itemized grants had a median of $26,500, though awards vary widely; grants generally benefit Chicago-region residents, and the Trust directs applicants to open opportunities but does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$7.1B
Grants
4,316
Total Given
$1.2B
Circle of Service Foundation
Chicago, IL
Circle of Service Foundation funds community services, education, medical research, and Jewish causes, with nearly all grants going to organizations in Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois. Grants typically range from $100 to $500,000, with a median of $25,000. It accepts unsolicited pre-applications for community services and Jewish community needs; education and medical research grants are typically by invitation, and unsolicited capital proposals are not accepted.
Assets
—
Grants
637
Total Given
$37.0M
Polk Bros Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
Polk Bros Foundation funds community-driven Chicago nonprofits working to close the life expectancy gap, build community wealth, and foster participatory, multiracial democracy. Recent grants ranged from $100 to $250,000, with a median of $25,000. It does not accept unsolicited requests during its transition period, which ends in fall 2026; it currently offers targeted RFPs.
Assets
$334.3M
Grants
568
Total Given
$19.3M
Donors Trust Inc
Alexandria, VA
Donors Trust supports charities and programs in social welfare, health, the environment, economics, governance, foreign relations, and arts and culture, with a strong emphasis on conservative and libertarian policy and education groups. Its 2024 grants had a median of $50,000, though awards ranged from $5,038 to $35 million, and recipients were concentrated in Washington, D.C., Virginia, New York, Texas, and California. It does not accept unsolicited requests; donor-advisors recommend grants through their accounts.
Assets
$1.4B
Grants
919
Total Given
$282.1M
More Funders in Illinois
The Negaunee Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?