Pepper Family Foundation
Invitation OnlyChicago, Illinois · EIN 36-3540747 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$3.7M
Organizations funded51
Typical grant$25,500
Total assets$44M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $3,800 and $63,042.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $1,010,000 |
| John G Shedd Aquarium | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $510,000 |
| Northshore Hospitals Foundation | Evanston, IL | Operating funds | $300,000 |
| Lincoln Park Zoo | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $230,982 |
| Northwestern University Department of Communications | Evanston, IL | Operating funds | $200,000 |
| Adler Planetarium | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $146,250 |
| Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | Operating funds | $105,000 |
| Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts | Little Rock, AR | Operating funds | $100,000 |
| Plymouth Place | Lagrange Park, IL | Operating funds | $100,000 |
| Chicago South Side Birth Center | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $100,000 |
| Northwestern University Athletic Dept | Evanston, IL | Operating funds | $89,000 |
| Brookfield Zoo | Brookfield, IL | Operating funds | $85,000 |
| St Michael Episcopal Church | Barrington, IL | Operating funds | $63,042 |
| Barrington White House | Barrington, IL | Operating funds | $55,000 |
| Elgin Symphony Orchestra | Elgin, IL | Operating funds | $55,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Central Ohio | Columbus, OH | Operating funds | $50,000 |
| Madonna Mission | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $50,000 |
| Friends of the Fieldsbarrington Cust 220 | Barrington, IL | Operating funds | $50,000 |
| Barrington Youth and Family Services | Barrington, IL | Operating funds | $42,000 |
| Boys and Girls Club of the Nw Suburbs | Carpentersville, IL | Operating funds | $40,200 |
| Openlands | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $30,000 |
| Chicago Baseball and Educational Academy | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $30,000 |
| Arden Shore Child and Family Services | Waukegan, IL | Operating funds | $26,000 |
| Mercyone Genesis Foundation | Davenport, IA | Operating funds | $26,000 |
| Quad City Music Guild | Moline, IL | Operating funds | $25,526 |
| Warp Corps | Woodstock, IL | Operating funds | $25,500 |
| The Ohio State University | Columbus, OH | Operating funds | $25,207 |
| Maryville Academy Center for Children | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $25,000 |
| Salute Inc | Palatine, IL | Operating funds | $25,000 |
| The Hap Foundation | Oakbrook Terrace, IL | Operating funds | $25,000 |
| The Cultural Trust | Bettendorf, IA | Operating funds | $25,000 |
| Big Shoulders Fund | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| Chicago Field Museum | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| Chicago History Museum | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| Museum of Science and Industry | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| Chicago Children's Theatre | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| Grace Episcopal Church | Galena, IL | Operating funds | $10,000 |
| Lake Zurich Cusd 95 Marching Band | Lake Zurich, IL | Operating funds | $5,000 |
| St Paul Lutheran Church | Waukegan, IL | Operating funds | $3,800 |
| Galena Territory Foundation | Galena, IL | Operating funds | $2,000 |
| Harper College | Palatine, IL | Operating funds | $1,000 |
| Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $1,000 |
| Augustana College | Rock Island, IL | Operating funds | $1,000 |
| Leukemia and Lymphoma Society | Washington, DC | Operating funds | $500 |
| Barrington Area Community Foundation | Barrington, IL | Operating funds | $500 |
| Curtis Granderson Foundation | Walnut Creek, CA | Operating funds | $500 |
| Anti Cruelty Society | Chicago, IL | Operating funds | $500 |
| Lead(H)er | Davenport, IA | Operating funds | $500 |
| Sea Shepherd Conservation Society | Woodbridge, VA | Operating funds | $259 |
| The Gentle Barn Foundation | Dittmer, MO | Operating funds | $252 |
| Evans Scholars Foundation | Glenview, IL | Operating funds | $250 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,746,768 | 51 |
| 2024 | $3,243,186 | 28 |
| 2023 | $1,573,000 | 23 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed Aug 25, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202642379349100219
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 36-3540747
- 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.