James P and Brenda S Grusecki Family Foundation
Invitation OnlyChicago, Illinois · EIN 16-1639401 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$3.2M
Organizations funded52
Typical grant$50,000
Total assets$33.5M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $20,000 and $75,000.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2025 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
19% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Planned Parenthood of Illinois | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $250,000 |
| Barack Obama Foundation | Chicago, IL | General operations | $200,000 |
| Timeline Theatre | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $155,000 |
| Shattered Globe Theatre | Chicago, IL | General operations | $150,000 |
| Goodman Theatre | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $130,000 |
| Deborah's Place | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $100,000 |
| Lyric Opera of Chicago | Chicago, IL | General operating support | $100,000 |
| Porchlight Music Theatre | Chicago, IL | General operating support | $100,000 |
| Remy Bumppo | Chicago, IL | General operations | $100,000 |
| 826Chi | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $85,000 |
| Thresholds | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $85,000 |
| Chicago Foundation for Women | Chicago, IL | General operating support | $80,000 |
| American Library Association | Chicago, IL | General operations | $75,000 |
| Chicago Shakespeare Theater | Chicago, IL | General operating support | $75,000 |
| Golden Apple Foundation | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $75,000 |
| Wbezchicago Public Media | Chicago, IL | General operations | $75,000 |
| Wttwwfmt | Chicago, IL | General operations | $75,000 |
| LA Casa Norte | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $70,000 |
| New Moms | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $70,000 |
| Midwest Access Coalition | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $65,000 |
| Repro Tlc | Berwyn, IL | General operating support & wellness | $65,000 |
| Breakthrough Urban Ministries | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $60,000 |
| Cara Collective | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $60,000 |
| Start Early | Chicago, IL | General operating support | $60,000 |
| Theatre Aspen | Aspen, CO | Season sponsorship | $60,000 |
| Ingenuity Incorporated Chicago | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $55,000 |
| American Blues Theater | Chicago, IL | General operations | $50,000 |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $50,000 |
| Chicago Jesuit Academy | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $50,000 |
| Chicago Public Library Foundation | Chicago, IL | General operating support | $50,000 |
| Little Black Pearl Workshop | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $50,000 |
| Lutheran Child & Family Services of Illinois | River Forest, IL | General operating support & wellness | $50,000 |
| Marwen | Chicago, IL | General operating support & wellness | $50,000 |
| Mikva Challenge Grant Foundation Inc | Chicago, IL | General operating support | $50,000 |
| New Teacher Center | Santa Cruz, CA | Chicago and oak park programming | $50,000 |
| Panorama Global | Seattle, WA | General operating support | $50,000 |
| Thrive Counseling Center | Oak Park, IL | General operating support | $40,000 |
| Children's Literacy Initiative | Chicago, IL | Chicago programming | $35,000 |
| American Wrtiers Museum | Chicago, IL | General operations | $25,000 |
| English in Action | Basalt, CO | General operating support & wellness | $20,000 |
| Stratford Festival America | Birmingham, MI | General operating support | $12,000 |
| Merit School of Music | Chicago, IL | General operating support | $10,000 |
| The Learning Center (House of Connections) | Chicago, IL | General operating support | $10,000 |
| University of St Thomas | St Paul, MN | James grusecki class of 1966 endowed scholarship fund | $10,000 |
| Chicago Opera Theater | Chicago, IL | General operations | $5,000 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | Chicago, IL | General operating support | $5,000 |
| St Luke & St Bernadine Parish | River Forest, IL | General operating support | $5,000 |
| The Climate Center | Santa Rosa, CA | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Working in Schools | Chicago, IL | General operating support | $5,000 |
| Earth Island | Berkeley, CA | Calcan | $4,000 |
| Botanical Bus | Rohnert Park, CA | General operations | $3,000 |
| Justice Outside | Oakland, CA | General operating support | $3,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,172,000 | 52 |
| 2024 | $1,750,000 | 49 |
| 2023 | $1,545,000 | 55 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 7, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202611279349100906
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 16-1639401
- 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.