Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation
The Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation is a private foundation based in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. In 2024, it made grants to organizations working in areas including animal welfare, arts and culture, health, children and families, and other charitable causes.
Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation at a glance
In short: Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation gave $15.3M across 33 grants in 2024 (avg $465K), top state Montana. 24% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $15,335,895
- +77.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 33
- +3.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $464,724
- +72.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $100,000
- Total assets
- $124,935,053
- -6.5% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 24% first-time grantees (8 of 33, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Montana (36% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. It states that contributions are made only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: 750 West Lake Cook Road Suite 460, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Phone: (847) 215-3475
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Big Sky Bravery ($5.5M). Together the top 10 received $13.9M.
Grant Size Distribution
163 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 60 grants of 163 (37%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The largest shares went to Montana (36%), Illinois (15%), New York (11%), North Carolina (10%), and Hawaii (8%). These figures describe the locations of 2024 grant recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 33 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation open to new grantees?
24%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 8 of 33 grantees (24%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $271K; repeat grants $527K. How we count
Medians: $55K first-time, $110K repeat.
- 70% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 36% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 244% 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.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $3.3M (2020) to $15.3M (2024). In 2024 it made 33 grants totaling $15.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sky Bravery Bozeman, MT | To Support Operational and Program Expenses. | $5,493,500 |
| Paws Chicago Chicago, IL | To Support Operational and Program Expenses. | $2,206,638 |
| Myriad USA New York, NY | To Support Operational and Program Expenses. | $1,700,000 |
| V-Foundation Cary, NC | To Support Operational and Program Expenses. | $1,461,950 |
| Maui Health Wailuku, HI | To Support Operational and Program Expenses. | $1,028,707 |
| The Chosen and Dearly Loved Foundation Denver, CO | To Support Operational and Program Expenses. | $750,000 |
| Napa Valley Festival Association Napa, CA | To Support Operational and Program Expenses. | $570,100 |
| Judicial Watch Washington, DC | To Support Operational and Program Expenses. | $250,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Cedar Rapids Cedar Rapids, IA | To Support Operational and Program Expenses. | $200,000 |
| Tanager Place Cedar Rapids, IA | To Support Operational and Program Expenses. | $200,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation reported 33 grants in 2024, 32 in 2023, and 31 in 2022.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $124,935,053 | $7,179,369 | $15,908,711 | $15,335,895 | 33 | $15,692,573 | $6,963,231 | $6,428,473 |
| 2023 | $133,650,130 | $111,313,699 | $9,207,066 | $8,648,270 | 32 | $9,120,453 | $1,227,086 | $3,024,733 |
| 2022 | $32,905,258 | $383,616 | $4,725,734 | $4,305,265 | 31 | $4,664,955 | $330,737 | $1,760,561 |
| 2021 | $37,253,545 | $792,604 | $11,640,409 | $11,303,053 | 34 | $11,555,694 | $722,874 | $2,269,052 |
| 2020 | $48,063,360 | $15,970,935 | $3,623,043 | $3,302,986 | 33 | — | $911,441 | $1,978,828 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation reported a distributable amount of $6.4M for 2024 — 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 2024 grants included support for a range of organizations. PAWS Chicago describes its work as helping homeless and at-risk pets through spay/neuter, medical, and adoption programs. Napa Valley Festival Association says it presents performances and educational programs intended to enrich the region’s cultural vitality and make the arts accessible. Tanager Place describes its work as providing services to children and families that inspire, empower, and heal.
Other 2024 recipients illustrate the range of grantees: Myriad USA says it facilitates thoughtful, effective giving across borders; Judicial Watch describes its work as promoting government integrity, transparency, accountability, and fidelity to the rule of law; and the Sarcoma Foundation of America says it funds research and raises awareness on behalf of sarcoma patients.
Grantmaking
In 2024, the foundation reported 33 grants totaling $15,335,895. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $5,493,500, with a median grant of $100,000.
The largest reported grants included $5,493,500 to Big Sky Bravery, $2,206,638 to PAWS Chicago, $1,700,000 to Myriad USA, $1,461,950 to the V-Foundation, and $1,028,707 to Maui Health. Each was designated to support operational and program expenses. Other notable grants included $750,000 to The Chosen and Dearly Loved Foundation and $570,100 to Napa Valley Festival Association.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Wayne Kocourek as trustee and Nan Kocourek as CEO.
Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation is led by Nan Kocourek, CEO on every filing since 2020; all 2 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Nan Kocourek
CEO
On filings since 2020
$150K (2020) → $150K (2024)
Wayne Kocourek
Trustee
On filings since 2020
$39K (2020) → $166K (2024)
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.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $166K, to Wayne Kocourek (Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation
How much does Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation give each year?
Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation gave $15.3M across 33 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $8.6M across 32 grants.
What is Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation's typical grant size?
Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $100,000, and its average grant was $464,724, across 33 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation that year got $271K on average.
Where does Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation give grants?
Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation's top state is Montana, with 36% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were Illinois (15%) and New York (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Cedar Rapids, IA (5 grants), Chicago, IL (2 grants), Fairfield, IA (2 grants) and Makawao, HI (2 grants).
Does Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (33 of 33) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation's largest grantees?
Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Big Sky Bravery ($5,493,500), Paws Chicago ($2,206,638) and Myriad USA ($1,700,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 61% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation?
Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation reported $124.9M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $15.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $6.4M (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation fund?
No mission statement for the foundation is provided. Its 2024 grants included support for a range of organizations. PAWS Chicago describes its work as helping homeless and at-risk pets through spay/neuter, medical, and adoption programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation?
The foundation 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 Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation's EIN?
Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 47-6807414. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does Wayne and Nan Kocourek 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
(1)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/wayne-and-nan-kocourek-foundation-morg_ca9a5ff9cf36431cb3db9d25796d4c15
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_476807414_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/wayne-and-nan-kocourek-foundation-morg_ca9a5ff9cf36431cb3db9d25796d4c15},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. 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 Wayne and Nan Kocourek 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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