Howard and Geraldine Knaack Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Howard and Geraldine Knaack Foundation is a private foundation in Crystal Lake, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $100,000 in 38 grants; the typical grant was $2,000 and the largest $5,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.
- Grants paid, 2025$100,000
- Number of grants38
- Typical grant$2,000
- Largest grant$5,000
- Assets$2.3 million
- New grantees5%
Giving in 2025 was up from $90,000 the year before.
5% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, so most of its money goes to organizations it already funds.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $91,000 | 38 | $1.9 million |
| 2024 | $90,000 | 36 | $2.1 million |
| 2025 | $100,000 | 38 | $2.3 million |
How to apply
Howard and Geraldine Knaack 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 Howard and Geraldine Knaack Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 10 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 25 | $65,000 |
| Michigan | 4 | $11,000 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $5,000 |
| Washington | 1 | $5,000 |
| Oklahoma | 1 | $4,000 |
| Kansas | 1 | $3,000 |
| Florida | 1 | $2,000 |
| Utah | 1 | $2,000 |
| Virginia | 1 | $2,000 |
| Iowa | 1 | $1,000 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Giving Closet of McHenry County | Unrestricted contribution | $5,000 |
| M-Bar-C Ranch | Unrestricted contribution | $5,000 |
| Veteran's Path to Hope | Unrestricted contribution | $5,000 |
| Family Health Partnership Clinic | Unrestricted contribution | $4,000 |
| Folds of Honor Foundation | Unrestricted contribution | $4,000 |
| Marquette Women's Center | Unrestricted contribution | $4,000 |
| The Road Home Program | Unrestricted contribution | $4,000 |
| Southeastern Wisconsin Adaptive Ski Program (Sewasp) | Unrestricted contribution | $3,000 |
| War Horses for Veterans | Unrestricted contribution | $3,000 |
| McHenry County Pads | Unrestricted contribution | $3,000 |
| Teaching Family Homes | Unrestricted contribution | $3,000 |
| Soul Harbor Ranch | Unrestricted contribution | $3,000 |
| Kids in Need of McHenry Co | Unrestricted contribution | $3,000 |
| Illinois Givenkind Center | Unrestricted contribution | $3,000 |
| Cosi | One step at a time camp/boat day | $3,000 |
| Casa of McHenry County | Unrestricted contribution | $3,000 |
| Helmets 4 Helmets | Unrestricted contribution | $3,000 |
| VFW Crystal Lake Memorial Post 12014 | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| The Arc of the Quad Cities Area | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| Camp Elim Ministries | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| Cary - Grove Food Pantry | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| Wheeling Township Food Pantry | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| Senior Care Volunteer Network | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| Pioneer Center | Youth program | $2,000 |
| Cycling Without Age McHenry County | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| Home of the Sparrow | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| Everyone Reading Illinois | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| National Ability Center | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| Feeding Dreams | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| Hunger Resource Network | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| Mariucci Family Beacon House | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| Girls on the Run of Northwest Il | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| JK Community Farm | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| Room at the Inn | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| The Period Collective | Unrestricted contribution | $2,000 |
| Big Brothersbig Sisters of Mississippi Valley | Unrestricted contribution | $1,000 |
| The Joshua Mission Inc | Unrestricted contribution | $1,000 |
| The Urban Growers Collective | Unrestricted contribution | $1,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Cheryl Pradelski
- Zachary Bartsch
- Jody Pradelski Adkins
- Julie Cohen
- Sara Bartsch Panico
- Jeff Pradelski
Questions people ask
Does Howard and Geraldine Knaack Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Howard and Geraldine Knaack Foundation give?
$100,000 in tax year 2025, across 38 grants, with a typical grant of $2,000.
Who runs Howard and Geraldine Knaack Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Cheryl Pradelski (President), Zachary Bartsch (Treasurer), Jody Pradelski Adkins (Secretary) and Julie Cohen (1st Vice President) among 6 officers and trustees.
What does Howard and Geraldine Knaack Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly youth programs, veterans and food and hunger.