The Manaaki Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Manaaki Foundation is a private foundation in Chicago, Illinois. In tax year 2024 it gave $1.6 million in 34 grants; the typical grant was $30,000 and the largest $155,000. 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$1.6 million
- Number of grants34
- Typical grant$30,000
- Largest grant$155,000
- Assets$48.7 million
- New grantees27%
Giving in 2024 was up from $1.5 million the year before.
27% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $1.5 million | 41 | $37.0 million |
| 2023 | $1.5 million | 33 | $41.8 million |
| 2024 | $1.6 million | 34 | $48.7 million |
How to apply
The Manaaki 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 The Manaaki Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 9 states, the most to Illinois. It also paid $30,000 in 1 grant to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 17 | $844,045 |
| California | 4 | $310,000 |
| District of Columbia | 4 | $125,000 |
| New York | 3 | $80,000 |
| Georgia | 1 | $75,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $50,000 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $40,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $30,000 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $10,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Planned Parenthood of Illinois | Support of general operations | $155,000 |
| Chicago Public Media | Support of general operations | $129,045 |
| Mother Jones | Support of the merger of the center for investigative reporting and mother jones, support of general operations | $125,000 |
| Art-In-Nature Arboretum Trust | Support of general operations of the waitakaruru arboretrum sculpture garden | $100,000 |
| Womens Global Education Project | Support of ndajee and to assist in the hire of a new deputy executive director | $100,000 |
| Forefront | Support of fresh taste for the ii regen/midwest regenerative agriculture fund | $75,000 |
| The Carter Center Inc | Support of general operations | $75,000 |
| University of Southern California | Support for the new center for climate journalism | $75,000 |
| Environmental Law and Policy Center | Support of general operations | $70,000 |
| Chicago Media Project | In support of the shifting voices film fund (bipoc film fund), support of the doc10 film festival & shifting voices, support of the re/construction film project | $60,000 |
| One Earth Collective | Support of general operations | $55,000 |
| Administrators of Tulane University | Support of the manaaki foundation endowed scholarship fund | $50,000 |
| Food & Water Watch | Support of the food and water watch annual benefit | $45,000 |
| Green America | Support of general operations | $40,000 |
| Jane Goodall Institute Australia LTD | Support of the jgi australia in support of the roots & shoots resource boxes | $40,000 |
| Trace Media | Support of general operations | $35,000 |
| Chicago Abortion Fund | Grant for reproductive justice and in support of general operations | $30,000 |
| Greenpeace Australia Pacific Limited | Support of general operations | $30,000 |
| Pro Publica Inc | Support of general operations | $30,000 |
| Range of Motion Project | Support of general operations | $30,000 |
| Roger Baldwin Foundation of the ACLU Inc | Support of general operations | $30,000 |
| Connections for the Homeless | Support of general operations | $25,000 |
| Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research Education & Conservation | Support of general operations | $25,000 |
| Refushe | Support the threads of hope fundraiser, support of general operations | $25,000 |
| Alliancechicago | Support of the illinois contraceptive access now (ican) initiative | $20,000 |
| Link Unlimited Scholars | Support of general operations | $20,000 |
| Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival | Support of general operations | $15,000 |
| Global Press Institute | Support of general operations | $15,000 |
| Growing Home Inc | Support of general operations | $15,000 |
| New York Public Radio | Support of general operations | $15,000 |
| As You Sow | Support of general operations | $10,000 |
| Education and Hope | Support of general operations | $10,000 |
| Momenta Inc | Support of general operations | $10,000 |
| The Voices and Faces Project | Support of general operations | $10,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Susan Crothers Gee
- William A Gee IV
- Ourania Tavoularis
- Krystyna Wietzema
Questions people ask
Does The Manaaki Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Manaaki Foundation give?
$1.6 million in tax year 2024, across 34 grants, with a typical grant of $30,000.
Who runs The Manaaki Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Susan Crothers Gee (Director, President of the Board), William A Gee IV (Director, President), Ourania Tavoularis (Director) and Krystyna Wietzema (Administrator).
What does The Manaaki Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly education, environment and conservation and arts and culture.