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Foundations / Illinois

William H & Lois J McEssy Foundation

Preselected recipients only Lake Forest, Illinois · EIN 364074862

William H & Lois J McEssy Foundation is a private foundation in Lake Forest, Illinois. In tax year 2024 it gave $2.1 million in 8 grants; the typical grant was $250,000 and the largest $550,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.

From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.

Giving in 2024 was up from $991,000 the year before.

50% of its 2024 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$991,0008$45.4 million
2024$2.1 million8$49.1 million

How to apply

William H & Lois J McEssy 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.

IRS filings on ProPublica

What William H & Lois J McEssy Foundation funds

Where it gives

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

StateGrantsAmount
Illinois5$1.2 million
Minnesota2$800,000
Wisconsin1$50,000

Grants paid in 2024

All 8 grants
RecipientPurposeAmount
Catholic Extension
Chicago, IL
General use of charity$550,000
St John Vianney
St Paul, MN
General use of charity$550,000
University of St Mary of the Lake
Mundelein, IL
General use of charity$410,000
Archdiocese of Chicago
Chicago, IL
General use of charity$250,000
Diocese of Winona-Rochester
Rochester, MN
General use of charity$250,000
St Norbert College
De Pere, WI
General use of charity$50,000
St Patrick Church
Lake Forest, IL
General use of charity$25,000
Alheizmer's Association
Chicago, IL
General use of charity$5,000

Officers and trustees

As listed in Part VIII of the 2024 filing.

Questions people ask

Does William H & Lois J McEssy Foundation accept grant applications?

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

How much does William H & Lois J McEssy Foundation give?

$2.1 million in tax year 2024, across 8 grants, with a typical grant of $250,000.

Who runs William H & Lois J McEssy Foundation?

Its 2024 filing lists William H McEssy (Director), David Blowers (Director), David A Lullo (Director) and Monsignor John F Canary (Director).

What does William H & Lois J McEssy Foundation fund?

Based on its grants, mainly faith communities and education.

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