The Christopher Family Foundation
Historical FunderWestmont, Illinois · EIN 36-7092282 · Private foundation · Website
Grants paid (2024)$4.5M
Organizations funded81
Typical grant$50,000
Total assets$81M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $15,000 and $75,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | CLARE BUTTERFIELD |
|---|---|
| Address | 640 QUAIL RIDGE DRIVE, WESTMONT IL 60559 |
| Phone | 6302258120 |
| CLARE@CHRISTOPHERFF.ORG | |
| Form and materials | SEE - CHRISTOPHERFF.ORG |
| Deadlines | SEE - CHRISTOPHERFF.ORG |
| Restrictions | SEE - CHRISTOPHERFF.ORG |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
14% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Community Foundation | Chicago, IL | General support | $290,000 |
| Forefront | Chicago, IL | General support | $280,000 |
| Walther Lutheran High School Association Inc | Melrose Park, IL | General support | $219,636 |
| Children First Fund | Chicago, IL | General support | $200,000 |
| Ann & Robert H Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago Foundation | Chicago, IL | General support | $160,000 |
| Lutheran Music Program | Minneapolis, MN | General support | $150,000 |
| Northern Illinois Food Bank | Geneva, IL | General support | $150,000 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago Inc | Chicago, IL | General support | $105,000 |
| Cara Program | Chicago, IL | General support | $100,000 |
| Garfield Park Community Council | Chicago, IL | General support | $100,000 |
| Meals on Wheels of Sheboygan County Inc | Sheboygan, WI | General support | $95,000 |
| Allies for Community Business Inc | Chicago, IL | General support | $90,000 |
| Feeding America | Chicago, IL | General support | $90,000 |
| A Better Chicago | Chicago, IL | General support | $85,000 |
| Mrelief | Chicago, IL | General support | $85,000 |
| Chicago Horticultural Society - Chicago Botanic Garden | Glencoe, IL | General support | $80,000 |
| Chicagoland Lutheran Educational Foundation | Bensenville, IL | General support | $80,000 |
| Chicago Jesuit Academy | Chicago, IL | General support | $75,100 |
| Holy Family Ministries | Chicago, IL | General support | $75,100 |
| Build Incorporated | Chicago, IL | General support | $75,000 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | Chicago, IL | General support | $75,000 |
| Maafa Redemption Project | Chicago, IL | General support | $75,000 |
| Revolution Workshop | Northbrook, IL | General support | $75,000 |
| Lutheran Social Services of Illinois | Des Plaines, IL | General support | $70,000 |
| Loyola University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | General support | $68,000 |
| New Moms Inc | Chicago, IL | General support | $65,300 |
| Facing History and Ourselves - Chicago | Chicago, IL | General support | $65,000 |
| St Leonard's Ministries | Chicago, IL | General support | $60,500 |
| Mhub | Chicago, IL | General support | $60,200 |
| Chicago Zoological Society | Brookfield, IL | General support | $60,000 |
| Jane Addams Resource Corporation | Chicago, IL | General support | $60,000 |
| Sunshine Enterprises | Chicago, IL | General support | $60,000 |
| Calvin University | Grand Rapids, MI | General support | $50,000 |
| Gray Matter Experience | Chicago, IL | General support | $50,000 |
| Hire360 | Chicago, IL | General support | $50,000 |
| Kids First Chicago for Education | Chicago, IL | General support | $50,000 |
| Lutheran World Relief Inc | Northbrook, IL | General support | $50,000 |
| Museum of Science and Industry | Chicago, IL | General support | $50,000 |
| Tides Foundation | San Francisco, CA | General support | $50,000 |
| The West Cook Ymcas Inc | Oak Park, IL | General support | $50,000 |
| Youth Guidance | Chicago, IL | General support | $50,000 |
| Breakthrough Urban Ministries Inc | Chicago, IL | General support | $40,000 |
| Field Museum of Natural History | Chicago, IL | General support | $40,000 |
| Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana | Chicago, IL | General support | $40,000 |
| Inspiration Corporation | Chicago, IL | General support | $40,000 |
| Manufacturing Renaissance | Chicago, IL | General support | $40,000 |
| Maywood Fine Arts Association | Maywood, IL | General support | $40,000 |
| Chicago Jobs Council | Chicago, IL | General support | $35,000 |
| Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse | Evanston, IL | General support | $35,000 |
| Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church of River Forest | River Forest, IL | General support | $33,000 |
| Chicago Arts Partnerships in Education | Chicago, IL | General support | $30,000 |
| Women Initiating New Directions | Evanston, IL | General support | $30,000 |
| Aaabna | Chicago, IL | General support | $25,000 |
| Christ the King Jesuit College Preparatory School | Chicago, IL | General support | $25,000 |
| Circle Urban Ministries | Chicago, IL | General support | $25,000 |
| Communities in Schools of Chicago | Chicago, IL | General support | $25,000 |
| Defy Ventures | New York, NY | General support | $25,000 |
| Skills for Chicagolands Future | Chicago, IL | General support | $25,000 |
| Women Employed | Chicago, IL | General support | $25,000 |
| Stone Cdc | Chicago, IL | General support | $20,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 81 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,516,136 | 81 |
| 2023 | $4,057,799 | 106 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Aug 28, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202502409349101005
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 36-7092282
- 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.