The Regenstein Foundation
The Regenstein Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Its 2025 filing reports grants to charitable organizations, including Chicago-area hospitals, cultural institutions, and wildlife organizations, as well as organizations in Florida.
The Regenstein Foundation at a glance
In short: The Regenstein Foundation gave $6.8M across 29 grants in 2025 (avg $233K), mostly in Illinois. 28% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,750,000
- +48.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 29
- -14.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $232,759
- +74.1% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $50,000
- Total assets
- $77,465,011
- +3.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 28% first-time grantees (8 of 29, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (92% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Regenstein Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
- Contact
Mailing address: 225 W Wacker Drive Suite 1500, Chicago, IL 60606-1235
Phone: (312) 917-1833
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Regenstein Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Shedd Aquarium ($1.8M). Together the top 10 received $6.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
149 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 89 grants of 149 (60%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 92% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 7% to Florida, and 1% to Washington, DC.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 29 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Regenstein Foundation open to new grantees?
28%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 8 of 29 grantees (28%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $29K; repeat grants $310K. How we count
Medians: $18K first-time, $90K repeat.
- 66% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving grew 107% from 2022 to 2025. Method
- In 2025 it paid out 185% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $3.3M (2022) to $11.4M (2021). In 2025 it made 29 grants totaling $6.8M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Shedd Aquarium Chicago, IL | Operational Support | $1,750,000 |
| Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital Chicago, IL | Operational Support | $1,060,000 |
| Shirley Ryan Ability Lab Chicago, IL | Operational Support | $1,055,000 |
| Rush University Medical Center Chicago, IL | Operational Support | $1,020,000 |
| Chicago Botanic Garden Glencoe, IL | Operational Support | $550,000 |
| Lincoln Park Zoo Chicago, IL | Operational Support | $240,000 |
| Gulfshore Playhouse Naples, FL | Operational Support | $225,000 |
| Northwestern Memorial Foundation Chicago, IL | Operational Support | $150,000 |
| Field Museum Chicago, IL | Operational Support | $100,000 |
| Naples Community Hospital Naples, FL | Operational Support | $100,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $77,465,011 | $5,564,654 | $12,186,942 | $6,750,000 | 29 | $6,866,201 | $5,448,751 | $3,714,608 |
| 2024 | $74,826,234 | $4,987,762 | $6,967,626 | $4,545,000 | 34 | $4,659,760 | $4,576,574 | $3,697,138 |
| 2023 | $73,262,797 | $2,492,112 | $1,936,296 | $7,055,000 | 32 | $7,155,688 | $2,071,155 | $3,496,751 |
| 2022 | $70,313,196 | $7,583,819 | $4,423,566 | $3,253,750 | 28 | $3,380,605 | $6,906,424 | $3,618,620 |
| 2021 | $85,802,717 | $8,840,370 | $8,581,660 | $11,363,750 | 26 | $11,462,328 | $8,347,385 | $4,291,867 |
| 2020 | $87,930,025 | $4,735,121 | $2,304,383 | $5,534,500 | 33 | — | $4,241,746 | $3,723,061 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Regenstein Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.7M for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations in health care, arts and culture, wildlife and conservation, and other areas. For example, grantee Rush University Medical Center describes its mission as improving health through patient care, education, research, and community partnerships. The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association says its mission is to enrich, inspire, and transform lives through music, community engagement, and education. The Chicago Zoological Society describes its mission as inspiring conservation leadership by connecting people with wildlife and nature.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation reported 29 grants totaling $6,750,000. Grant amounts ranged from $5,000 to $1,750,000, with a median of $50,000. The largest grants included $1,750,000 to Shedd Aquarium, $1,060,000 to Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital, $1,055,000 to Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, and $1,020,000 to Rush University Medical Center. Each was listed for operational support.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Susan Regenstein as chairman and president; Joseph Regenstein III as secretary/treasurer; Marshall Field V and F. Oliver Nicklin Jr. as directors; and Patricia Wallies as executive director.
The Regenstein Foundation is led by Patricia Wallies, Executive Director on the 2025 filing; 1 of 5 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Patricia Wallies
Executive Director
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$144K (2025)
Susan Regenstein
Chairman & President
Chairman & President → Chairman & P, 2024
Chairman & P → Chairman & President, 2025
On filings since 2020
10 hrs/week
No compensation reported
F. Oliver Nicklin Jr.
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marshall Field V
Director
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Regenstein III
Secretary & Treasurer
Secretary & Treasurer → Secretary, 2024
Secretary → Secretary & Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $144K, to Patricia Wallies (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about The Regenstein Foundation
How much does The Regenstein Foundation give each year?
The Regenstein Foundation gave $6.8M across 29 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $4.5M across 34 grants.
What is The Regenstein Foundation's typical grant size?
The Regenstein Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $50,000, and its average grant was $232,759, across 29 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Regenstein Foundation that year got $29K on average.
Where does The Regenstein Foundation give grants?
The Regenstein Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 92% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest state was Florida (7%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (17 grants) and Naples, FL (7 grants).
Does The Regenstein Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of The Regenstein Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (29 of 29) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are The Regenstein Foundation's largest grantees?
The Regenstein Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Shedd Aquarium ($1,750,000), Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital ($1,060,000) and Shirley Ryan Ability Lab ($1,055,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 57% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Regenstein Foundation?
The Regenstein Foundation reported $77.5M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $6.9M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $3.7M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Regenstein Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations in health care, arts and culture, wildlife and conservation, and other areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Regenstein 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 Regenstein Foundation's EIN?
The Regenstein Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3152531. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Regenstein 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
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 17, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Regenstein Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Regenstein Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-regenstein-foundation-morg_e6bb5a7e92af486eb1f1a9838159e95b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363152531_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Regenstein Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-regenstein-foundation-morg_e6bb5a7e92af486eb1f1a9838159e95b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Regenstein 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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