Well Told Grants

Foundations / Illinois

Karger Fund

Preselected recipients only Chicago, Illinois · EIN 366108389

Karger Fund is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2025 it gave $17,800 in 5 grants; the typical grant was $1,000 and the largest $10,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2025.

Giving in 2025 was up from $8,000 the year before.

40% of its 2025 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.

Giving by year

Tax yearGrants paidNumber of grantsAssets
2023$14,2506$110,048
2024$8,0004$97,730
2025$17,8005$87,815

How to apply

Karger Fund 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.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What Karger Fund funds

Where it gives

Its grants went to recipients in 3 states, the most to Michigan.

StateGrantsAmount
Michigan1$10,000
District of Columbia1$6,000
Illinois3$1,800

Grants paid in 2025

All 5 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Camp Grayling Officers Club
Camp Grayling, MI
Public charity support$10,000
Washington Institute
Washington, DC
Public charity support$6,000
Winnetka Congretional Church
Winnetka, IL
Public charity support$1,000
The Cranbrook Schools Fund
Chicago, IL
Public charity support$500
Merit School of Music
Chicago, IL
Public charity support$300

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2025 filing.

Questions people ask

Does Karger Fund accept grant applications?

No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.

How much does Karger Fund give?

$17,800 in tax year 2025, across 5 grants, with a typical grant of $1,000.

Who runs Karger Fund?

Its 2025 filing lists Nancy Karger (President) and Nathan Grossman (Secretary).

What does Karger Fund fund?

Based on its grants, mainly education.

Similar foundations in Illinois