The Regenstein Foundation
The Regenstein Foundation is a private foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, incorporated in Delaware in 1981 following a merger with the Joseph & Helen Regenstein Foundation (originally incorporated in Illinois in 1950). Founded by the late Joseph Regenstein, an industrialist, the foundation carries forward a legacy of significant philanthropic support to Chicago-area institutions and beyond.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$74.8M
+2.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$4.5M
-35.6% YoY
Grant Count
34
+6.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$134K
-39.4% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Regenstein Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.7M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on education, philanthropy and voluntarism, human services, and environmental initiatives. The foundation has historically supported cultural, medical, educational, and environmental institutions, with particular emphasis on organizations that benefit the Chicago region.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
s and Activity:**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, Florida, and the District of Columbia, with particular emphasis on Chicago-area institutions.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2023:
- Total assets: $73,262,797
- Total revenues: $2,492,112
- Total expenses: $1,936,296
- Investment income and dividends: $1,402,818
- Net gain from sale of non-inventory assets: $1,065,721
As of December 2021:
- Total assets: $74,826,234
- Total giving: $4,545,000
Staffing:
- Number of employees: 0
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $74,826,234 | $73,262,797 | $70,313,196 |
| Revenue | $4,987,762 | $2,492,112 | $7,583,819 |
| Expenses | $6,967,626 | $1,936,296 | $4,423,566 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $4,659,760 | $7,155,688 | $3,380,605 |
| Net Investment Income | $4,576,574 | $2,071,155 | $6,906,424 |
| Distributable Amount | $3,697,138 | $3,496,751 | $3,618,620 |
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
153 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's ($1,000,000), Rush University Medical Center ($1,000,000), Chicago Botanic Garden ($800,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S CHICAGO, IL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $1,000,000 |
| ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S CHICAGO, IL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $70,000 |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS WASHINGTON, DC | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $20,000 |
| ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO, IL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $55,000 |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN GLENCO, IL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $800,000 |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN GLENCO, IL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $60,000 |
| CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY BROOKFIELD, IL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $48,000 |
| CONSERVANCY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA NAPLES, FL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $10,000 |
| FIELD MUSEUM CHICAGO, IL | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT | $100,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Trustees:
- Susan Regenstein
- Joseph Regenstein III
- Marshall Field V
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSAN REGENSTEIN | CHAIRMAN & P | 10 | — |
| JOSEPH REGENSTEIN III | SECRETARY/TR | 5 | — |
| MARSHALL FIELD V | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
| F OLIVER NICKLIN JR | DIRECTOR | 5 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has maintained consistent grantmaking activity, with 33 grants distributed in 2023. Recent recipients include major Chicago medical and cultural institutions such as Lurie Children's Hospital, Rush University Medical Center, and the Shedd Aquarium, reflecting the foundation's ongoing commitment to operational support for established organizations.
The foundation's historical impact includes funding for the Regenstein Library at the University of Chicago, the Hall of Music at Northwestern University, the Large Mammal Habitat and Birds of Prey Exhibit at the Lincoln Park Zoo, the Sea Otter Habitat at the Shedd Aquarium, and the Vegetable Garden at the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago Announces $10 Million Gift from the RegensteinFrequently Asked Questions
What does The Regenstein Foundation fund?
The foundation's grantmaking focuses on education, philanthropy and voluntarism, human services, and environmental initiatives. The foundation has historically supported cultural, medical, educational, and environmental institutions, with particular emphasis on organizations that benefit the Chicago region.
How do I apply for a grant from The Regenstein Foundation?
**Grant Sizes and Activity:** • Total giving in 2023: $5,288,000 across 33 grants • Typical award range: $1,000–$1,510,000 • Recent major grants (2023): • Ann and Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago: $1,070,000 (Operational Support) • Rush University Medical Center: $1,035,000 (Operational Support) • Shedd Aquarium: $1,010,000 (Operational Support) **Notable Historical Grants:** • $10 million to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (2016) for the Center for Bionic Medicine at Shirl…
Where does The Regenstein Foundation make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Illinois, Florida, and the District of Columbia, with particular emphasis on Chicago-area institutions.
What size grants does The Regenstein Foundation award?
In 2024, The Regenstein Foundation awarded 34 grants totaling $4.5M — an average of about $134K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Regenstein Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Regenstein Foundation reported a distributable amount of $3.7M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
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 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Regenstein Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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