C Gary and Virginia Gerst Foundation
Invitation OnlyChicago, Illinois · EIN 36-3403692 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$336K
Organizations funded33
Typical grant$2,500
Total assets$3.6M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $400 and $10,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
33% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numbers USA Education and Research foundation | Arlington, VA | Civic and Community Support | $75,000 |
| Chicago Shakespeare Theatre | Chicago, IL | Support for the Arts | $53,000 |
| Court Theater | Chicago, IL | Education | $50,000 |
| Lyric Opera of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Support for the Arts | $35,000 |
| Metropolitan Family Services | Chicago, IL | Public Charity Support | $26,500 |
| Dearfield Academy | Deerfield, MA | Community Support | $17,500 |
| Aspen Public Radio | Aspen, CO | Public Media Support | $10,000 |
| Center For Immigration Studies | Washington, DC | Public Charity Support | $10,000 |
| Northwestern Memorial Foundation | Chicago, IL | Public Charity Support | $10,000 |
| Sacred Heart Schools | Chicago, IL | Education | $10,000 |
| Aspen Music Festival and School | Aspen, CO | Support for Arts Education | $5,000 |
| Chicago Architecture Foundation | Chicago, IL | Public Charity Support | $5,000 |
| Newberry Library | Chicago, IL | Public Charity Support | $5,000 |
| Northlight Theatre | Skokie, IL | Support for the Arts | $5,000 |
| Porchlight Music Theatre | Chicago, IL | Arts | $5,000 |
| St Chrysostom's Episcopal Church | Chicago, IL | Religious | $3,000 |
| Aspen Valley Hospital Foundation | Aspen, CO | Medical Research | $2,500 |
| North Shore Country Day | Winnetka, IL | Public Charity Support | $2,500 |
| Habitat for Humanity Chicago | Chicago, IL | Humanitarian Aid | $1,000 |
| 626 Landmark Foundation | Chicago, IL | Public Charity Support | $626 |
| Timeline Theater | Chicago, IL | Support for the Arts | $500 |
| WFMT Fine Arts Circle | Chicago, IL | Public Media Support | $500 |
| Louisville Metro Young Life | Colorado Springs, CO | Religious | $500 |
| Leadership Institute | Arlington va, VA | Leadership Training | $500 |
| Holiday Baskets | Basalt, CO | Public Charity Support | $400 |
| Grant Park Music Festival | Chicago, IL | Support for the Arts | $350 |
| Aspen Historical Society | Aspen, CO | Public Charity Support | $300 |
| Chicago Botanic Garden | Glencoe, IL | Public Charity Support | $300 |
| Gold Coast Neighbors Association | Chicago, IL | Public Charity Support | $300 |
| Friends of the Parks | Chicago, IL | Conservation | $250 |
| Friends of the Upper East Side | New York, NY | Preservation and development on the Upper East Side. | $250 |
| Active Transportation Alliance | Chicago, IL | Public Charity Support | $200 |
| Chicago History Museum | Chicago, IL | Support for the Arts | $120 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $336,096 | 33 |
| 2023 | $274,965 | 30 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 12, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202533169349101553
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 36-3403692
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.