The Negaunee Foundation
Preselected recipients only
The Negaunee Foundation is a private foundation in Northbrook, Illinois. In tax year 2024 it gave $33.8 million in 114 grants; the typical grant was $60,000 and the largest $6.2 million. 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$33.8 million
- Number of grants114
- Typical grant$60,000
- Largest grant$6.2 million
- Assets$819 million
- New grantees12%
Giving in 2024 was down from $41.8 million the year before.
12% of its 2024 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 | $41.8 million | 105 | $455 million |
| 2024 | $33.8 million | 114 | $819 million |
How to apply
The Negaunee 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 Negaunee Foundation funds
Where it gives
Its grants went to recipients in 16 states, the most to Illinois.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 74 | $28.7 million |
| California | 8 | $2.7 million |
| New York | 12 | $711,500 |
| Ohio | 2 | $700,000 |
| Georgia | 2 | $275,000 |
| District of Columbia | 3 | $230,000 |
| Virginia | 3 | $165,000 |
| Washington | 1 | $100,000 |
| Delaware | 2 | $70,000 |
| Michigan | 1 | $50,000 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Individual | Restricted use | $6.2 million |
| Field Museum | Restricted use | $4.5 million |
| Individual | Restricted use | $2.9 million |
| Il Saint Andrew Society | Restricted use | $2.5 million |
| The Colburn School | Restricted use | $2.0 million |
| WTTW - Network Chicago | Restricted use | $1.6 million |
| Lyric Opera of Chicago | Restricted use | $1.5 million |
| Openlands | Restricted | $1.1 million |
| Music Institute of Chicago | Restricted use | $1.0 million |
| Merit School of Music | Unrestricted | $1.0 million |
| Individual | Restricted | $750,000 |
| Music of the Baroque | Unrestricted use | $650,000 |
| Merit School of Music | Unrestricted use | $550,000 |
| Antioch College | Restricted | $500,000 |
| Chicago Symphony Orchestra | Unrestricted use | $400,000 |
| Chicago Community Trust | Restricted use | $400,000 |
| Treepeople | Unrestricted use | $350,000 |
| Northwestern University | Restricted use | $330,000 |
| Vandercook College of Music | Unrestricted use | $300,000 |
| Music of the Baroque | Restricted use | $225,000 |
| Antioch College | Unrestricted use | $200,000 |
| Individual | Unrestricted use | $200,000 |
| Amer Found National Museums Scotl | Unrestricted use | $200,000 |
| Music Institute of Chicago | Unrestricted use | $200,000 |
| Individual | Unrestricted | $200,000 |
| Nature Conservancy - Illinois | Restricted use | $150,000 |
| Lyric Opera of Chicago | Unrestricted | $150,000 |
| CATO Institute | Unrestricted use | $100,000 |
| Illinois Policy Institute | Unrestricted use | $100,000 |
| Institute for Justice | Unrestricted use | $100,000 |
| Individual | Unrestricted use | $100,000 |
| Amer Found National Museums Scotl | Restricted use | $100,000 |
| Pacific Legal Foundation | Unrestricted use | $100,000 |
| Peoples Music School | Unrestricted use | $100,000 |
| United Negro College Fund Inc | Unrestricted use | $100,000 |
| Freedom Foundation | Unrestricted ues | $100,000 |
| The Colburn School | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Individual | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| James B Moran Center for Youth Advo | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
| Friends of the Wildlife Discovery | Unrestricted | $100,000 |
Officers and trustees
- Richard Colburn
- Robin T Colburn
- Ewa Jones
- Dale Kuntz
- Debbie Creek
- Heather McCowen
Questions people ask
Does The Negaunee Foundation accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does The Negaunee Foundation give?
$33.8 million in tax year 2024, across 114 grants, with a typical grant of $60,000.
Who runs The Negaunee Foundation?
Its 2024 filing lists Richard Colburn (Presidentdirector), Robin T Colburn (Vice Presidentdirector), Ewa Jones (Secretary) and Dale Kuntz (Director) among 6 officers and trustees.
What does The Negaunee Foundation fund?
Based on its grants, mainly arts and culture, education and environment and conservation.