Cless Family Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Cless Family Foundation is a private foundation in Northbrook, Illinois. In tax year 2024 it gave $2.8 million in 26 grants; the typical grant was $37,500 and the largest $667,176. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$2.8 million
- Number of grants26
- Typical grant$37,500
- Largest grant$667,176
- Assets$69.5 million
- New grantees39%
Giving in 2024 was down from $3.6 million the year before.
39% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a mix of repeat and new grantees.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $3.6 million | 31 | $55.2 million |
| 2024 | $2.8 million | 26 | $69.5 million |
How to apply
Cless Family Foundation says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
What Cless Family Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 5 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 22 | $1.3 million |
| Florida | 1 | $667,176 |
| California | 1 | $502,292 |
| North Carolina | 1 | $250,000 |
| Tennessee | 1 | $50,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Schwab Charitable | Charitable | $667,176 |
| Stand Up to Cancer | Medical research | $502,292 |
| Glenview Youth Services | Education | $425,000 |
| Duke University | Medical research | $250,000 |
| Northlight Theatre | Charitable | $250,000 |
| Eths Education Foundation | Education | $100,000 |
| Northshore Hospitals Foundation | Medical research | $100,000 |
| Books & Breakfast | Education | $50,000 |
| Chicago Engineer's Foundation | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Foundation 65 | Education | $50,000 |
| Provenance Precision Medicine Foundation | Medical research | $50,000 |
| Stuttering Foundation | Charitable | $50,000 |
| The Chicago Lighthouse | Charitable | $50,000 |
| Friends of Lincoln Park High School | Education | $25,000 |
| Honor Flight Chicago Corp | Charitable | $25,000 |
| Winnetka Public Schools Foundation | Education | $25,000 |
| Youth & Opportunity United | Charitable | $25,000 |
| McGaw YMCA | Charitable | $20,000 |
| Lincoln Park Public High School | Education | $15,000 |
| Moran Center for Youth Foundation | Charitable | $15,000 |
| Wolcott College Prep | Education | $15,000 |
| Childcare Network of Evanston | Chartibale | $10,000 |
| Countryside Day School | Education | $10,000 |
| Misericordia Foundation | Charitable | $10,000 |
| Rebuilding Exchange | Charitable | $10,000 |
| The Recyclery Collective | Charitable | $7,500 |
Officers and trustees
- Ruth I Cless
- Martin Cless
- Jennifer U Zehr
- Bryan C Cless
- Stephen G Cless
Questions people ask
Does Cless Family Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Cless Family Foundation give?
$2.8 million in tax year 2024, across 26 grants, with a typical grant of $37,500.
Who runs Cless Family Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Ruth I Cless (Pres/Treas/Director), Martin Cless (Director), Jennifer U Zehr (Vp/Secretary/Director) and Bryan C Cless (Director) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does Cless Family Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, health and science and research.