The Walder Foundation is a private family foundation established by Joseph and Elizabeth Walder. Based in Skokie, Illinois, the foundation champions Chicago and invests in critical issues impacting communities locally and globally. The foundation employs 19 people and operates as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$154.6M
-17.6% YoY
Annual Giving
$24.4M
+8.5% YoY
Grant Count
200
-3.8% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$122K
+12.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The Walder Foundation was established to address critical issues impacting the world. The foundation's five primary areas of focus are:
- Science innovation
- Environmental sustainability
- Performing arts
- Migration and immigrant communities
- Jewish life
These funding areas reflect the Walders' lifelong passions, interests, and their personal and professional experiences.
Grantmaking
The foundation made 207 grants in 2023 totaling approximately $22.4 million.
Grant Range
$5,000 to $2,250,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grantmaking is concentrated primarily in the Chicago metropolitan area, with additional support for select projects around the globe that align with the foundation's values and program areas. Notable funding extends to Illinois, New York, and the District of Columbia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2023:
- Total assets: $187.6 million
- Total giving: $22.4–$26.7 million
- Total revenue: $4.2 million
- Total expenses: $29.1 million
- Giving rate: 11.9–13.3% of assets
- Total liabilities: $25.1 million
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $154,578,741 | $187,607,820 | $212,459,981 |
| Revenue | $8,972,601 | $4,224,649 | $9,175,580 |
| Expenses | $32,011,208 | $29,076,872 | $25,167,135 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $30,039,451 | $26,689,151 | $23,398,122 |
| Net Investment Income | $6,598,371 | $1,880,649 | $7,506,307 |
| Distributable Amount | $9,121,084 | $9,158,832 | $10,328,205 |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Elizabeth Walder – President, Secretary, Director (30 hours/week)
- Joseph Walder – Director (through March 2024)
- Kate Coughlin – Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer (10 hours/week)
- Jeffrey L Sweet – Vice President (6 hours/week)
- Juliana Kerr – Senior Program Director (40 hours/week)
- Jack Westwood – Senior Program Director (40 hours/week)
- Meagan Leary – Senior Program Director (40 hours/week)
- Jenni Richton – Program Director, Jewish Life (40 hours/week)
- Brittany Andersen – Senior Director of Operations & Grants (40 hours/week)
- Candace Tebbenkamp – Program Director, Science Innovation
- Tamar Snyder – Vice President, Communications
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kate Coughlin | Treas | 10 | $118,913 |
| Jeffrey L Sweet | VP | 6 | $52,562 |
| Elizabeth Walder | Pres, Sec, Dir | 30 | — |
| Joseph Walder through March 2024 | Dir | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has announced significant support for performing arts organizations in Chicago, including a $3 million grant to 19 performing arts organizations and a $2.4 million support package for performing artists. The foundation also selected Columbia Faculty and alumni for its 2024 Platform Awards and provided a $125,000 grant to Court Theatre.
Columbia Faculty, Alums Chosen for Walder Foundation's 2024 ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Similar funders by location and focus area
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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