Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation
Preselected recipients only
Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $62,000 in 35 grants; the typical grant was $1,000 and the largest $6,000. 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$62,000
- Number of grants35
- Typical grant$1,000
- Largest grant$6,000
- Assets$1.6 million
- New grantees20%
Giving in 2025 was the same as $62,000 the year before.
20% of its 2025 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 | $67,000 | 35 | $1.3 million |
| 2024 | $62,000 | 35 | $1.5 million |
| 2025 | $62,000 | 35 | $1.6 million |
How to apply
Joseph and Helen Komarek 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 Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 7 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 26 | $44,500 |
| New York | 4 | $12,500 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $1,500 |
| California | 1 | $1,000 |
| Georgia | 1 | $1,000 |
| Maryland | 1 | $1,000 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $500 |
Grants paid in 2025
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Friends of Israel Defense Forc | Annual appeal | $6,000 |
| Lurie Children's Hospital | Help childrens hospital | $5,000 |
| Wttw-Channel 11 | Public broacasting service | $4,000 |
| Anti-Defamation League | Stop defamation | $4,000 |
| The Holocaust Memorial Foundation O | Help people remember the holocaust | $4,000 |
| Cradles to Crayons | Help children education | $4,000 |
| Chicago Youth Programs | Help disadvantage youth | $4,000 |
| Willow House | Help families suffering from grief | $3,000 |
| Cawc | Annual fund | $3,000 |
| Magen David Adom | Medical first responders | $2,000 |
| Northwestern Memorial Foundation | Help people needing hospital care | $2,000 |
| Omni Youth Services | Provide educational support to child | $2,000 |
| Shelter Inc | Provide housing for abused children | $2,000 |
| Family Rescue | Provide service to family domestic c | $2,000 |
| Elizabeth Glazer Pediatric AIDS | Annual fund | $1,500 |
| Chicago Botanic Gardens | Annual appeal | $1,500 |
| Osher Lifelong Learning | Life long learning project | $1,000 |
| Jewish Child & Family Services | Enhance people with intellectual and | $1,000 |
| St Jude Children's Hospital | Provide assistance to children at st | $1,000 |
| Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of | Provide help to children with brain | $1,000 |
| Cancer Wellness Center | Annual fund | $1,000 |
| Breakthrough T1D | Annual fund | $1,000 |
| Christopher House | Education for low income families | $500 |
| La Rabida Childrens Hospital | Children with life long medical issu | $500 |
| Metropolitan Family Services | Provide education to working poor | $500 |
| US Holocaust Memorial Museum | Holocaust memory alive | $500 |
| Shirley Ryan Ability Lab | Provide rehabilitative care | $500 |
| National Multiple Sclerosis | Help persons affected by ms | $500 |
| Hadley School for the Blind | Help people who are blind | $500 |
| Doctors Without Borders | Provide urgent medical care | $500 |
| Familial Dysautonomia | Help people suffering from familial | $500 |
| Morton Arboretum | Annual fund | $500 |
| Art Institute of Chicago | Annual fund | $500 |
| Chicago Children's Advocacy | Child protection service | $250 |
| Museum of Contemporary Art | Annual fund | $250 |
Officers and trustees
- Gene Mackevich
- Elizabeth Butler
- Bruce Butler
- Howard Schwartz
- Barbara Mackevich
Questions people ask
Does Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation give?
$62,000 in tax year 2025, across 35 grants, with a typical grant of $1,000.
Who runs Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation?
Its 2025 filing lists Gene Mackevich (Director), Elizabeth Butler (Director), Bruce Butler (Director) and Howard Schwartz (Director) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does Joseph and Helen Komarek Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly youth programs, health and education.