The Bayer Family Foundation concentrates its support on large, unrestricted institutional gifts primarily in education and pediatric health, with a noticeable Chicago focus. They favor established, high-profile institutions — independent K–12 schools, major children's hospitals, university programs, and contemporary arts organizations — rather than small grassroots groups. Repeated multi-grant relationships (Children’s Hospital of Chicago; University of Michigan) suggest a preference for sustained partnership with select grantees.
Bayer Family Foundation’s recent giving shows a clear preference for unrestricted institutional support, with the largest 2025 grant going to Francis W Parker School for $400,000. The foundation also made a $250,000 grant to Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation in 2025, after another $250,000 gift to the same organization in 2023, indicating a repeated relationship rather than a one-time award. That pattern appears elsewhere as well: University of Michigan received $162,000 in 2025 and $160,500 in 2023, while Museum of Contempory Art received $127,500 in 2025 and $80,000 in 2023. Across the portfolio, the foundation supports established nonprofits rather than narrowly defined projects, and its recent grants often use the same general charitable purpose language. The mix includes independent K–12 education, pediatric healthcare, higher-education institutions, and Chicago arts organizations, alongside selected civic and Jewish communal groups. Several grants are sizeable enough to suggest sustained institutional partnership, especially in Chicago and at a small set of repeat recipients. The foundation’s grant history also includes support for media, advocacy, and health-related organizations, but the overall profile remains centered on flexible, non-restricted gifts to established organizations.
Education is a visible part of Bayer Family Foundation’s giving. In 2025, it awarded $400,000 to Francis W Parker School for general unrestricted charitable purpose, and it also supported Troy High School with $50,000 in 2023 and $30,000 in 2025. Pediatric health is another recurring area. Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation received $250,000 in both 2025 and 2023, while Lurie Children's Foundation received $25,000 in both years. The foundation also gave $20,000 in 2025 and $20,000 in 2023 to Susan G Komen 3 Day. In the arts and civic sphere, Chicago Public Media received $50,000 in 2025 after a $30,000 gift in 2023, and the Museum of Contempory Art received $127,500 in 2025 and $80,000 in 2023. Jewish communal and Holocaust education groups also appear in the grant list, including Metro Chicago Hillel, the Anti-defamation League, and Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center.
Typical grants are modest to mid-sized, with a p25 of $5,000, median of $10,000, and p75 of $12,500, even though the foundation also makes larger institutional gifts. The pattern is strongly repeat-oriented: several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2025, including Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation, University of Michigan, Museum of Contempory Art, Chicago Public Media, Troy High School, Lurie Children's Foundation, Susan G Komen 3 Day, Teaching Tolerance, and Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. Bayer Family Foundation is classified as a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Grants in the recent list are consistently labeled for general unrestricted charitable purpose.
$1.3M
$19.1M
$6M
$1.5M
Most grants fall between $5K and $13K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$13K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small set of established institutions; several repeat recipients and predominantly unrestricted/general support rather than project-restricted funding.
Notable grantees: Children's Hospital of Chicago Foundation, Francis W. Parker School, University of Michigan, Museum of Contemporary Art
Giving is concentrated in Illinois, which accounts for 51% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Chicago is the main city in the recent grants list, with recipients such as Francis W Parker School, Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation, Museum of Contempory Art, Chicago Public Media, Anti-cruelty Society, Metro Chicago Hillel, and Lurie Children's Foundation. Outside Illinois, the foundation also gives in Michigan, including Ann Arbor and Troy, and in New York and Alabama. All recent grants in the provided data went to U.S. recipients.
The recent grants point to established institutions in education, pediatric healthcare, higher education, arts, and civic or Jewish communal life. Examples include Francis W Parker School, Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation, University of Michigan, Museum of Contempory Art, and Chicago Public Media, all funded for general unrestricted charitable purpose.
Yes. Several recipients appear in both 2023 and 2025, including Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at $250,000 in each year, University of Michigan at $162,000 and $160,500, and Museum of Contempory Art at $127,500 and $80,000. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships with select grantees.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is relatively small to mid-sized overall: p25 is $5,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $12,500. At the same time, it also makes larger institutional gifts, such as $400,000 to Francis W Parker School and $250,000 to Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation.
Illinois is the top state by grant count, with 51% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Recent Illinois recipients are centered in Chicago, with additional grants in Skokie and Rolling Meadows, while other grants go to Michigan, New York, and Alabama.
The recent grants are consistently described as general unrestricted charitable purpose. That applies across the list, including grants to schools, hospitals, media organizations, advocacy groups, and arts institutions.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRANCIS W PARKER SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $400,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $162,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORY ART | CHICAGO, IL | $127,500 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ANTI-CRUELTY SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| METRO CHICAGO HILLEL | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TROY HIGH SCHOOL | TROY, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| LURIE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTER | SKOKIE, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SUSAN G KOMEN 3 DAY | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TEACHING TOLERANCE | MONTGOMERY, AL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| COMMIT 2 CHANGE | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF ISRAEL NAVY SEALS | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| OAKLAND UNIVERSITY | ROCHESTER, MI | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HART & TAYTRAIN FOUNDATION INC | CLAY, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| THE CLAYCO FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $6,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| HELLO BABY | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| WICK THEATRE & COSTUME MUSEUM | BOCA RATON, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| GIFTS FOR THE HOMELESS | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MARCH OF DIMES | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SHRINERS HOSPITAL FOR CHILDREN | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SPANISH RIVER CONCERTS | WESTFORD, MA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CAMP AIRY & CAMP LOUISE FOUNDATION | BALTIMORE, MD | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ST JUDE'S CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CROHN'S AND COLITIS FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CAMP OUT FOR KIDS | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| IMERMAN ANGELS | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL | BOCA RATON, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MOTHERS AGAINST SENSELESS KILLINGS | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SPRING CREEK HORSES HELP FOUNDATION | THREE OAKS, MI | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES PROMOTE EDUCATION | NEW YORK, NY | $2,250 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NAMI FOUNDATION | PLYMOUTH, MI | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NILES ATHLETIC BOOSTERS CLUB | NILES, MI | $2,000 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| NICARAGUA RESOURCE NETWORK | WESTFIELD, IN | $900 | 2025 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $250,000 | 2024 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MICHIGAN ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT | ANN ARBOR, MI | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| TROY HIGH SCHOOL | TROY, MI | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORY ART | CHICAGO, IL | $45,000 | 2024 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $35,000 | 2024 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| FRANCIS W PARKER SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| MICHIGAN MEDICINE OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT | ANN ARBOR, MI | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| LURIE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| ANTI-CRUELTY SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
| BROTHERS FOR LIFE | SEATTLE, WA | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE |
FRANCIS W PARKER SCHOOL
$400,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$162,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORY ART
$127,500GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
METRO CHICAGO HILLEL
$30,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TROY HIGH SCHOOL
$30,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
LURIE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTER
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SUSAN G KOMEN 3 DAY
$20,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TEACHING TOLERANCE
$15,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
COMMIT 2 CHANGE
$15,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
OAKLAND UNIVERSITY
$10,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
HART & TAYTRAIN FOUNDATION INC
$10,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
THE CLAYCO FOUNDATION
$6,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
HELLO BABY
$5,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
WICK THEATRE & COSTUME MUSEUM
$5,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
GIFTS FOR THE HOMELESS
$5,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MARCH OF DIMES
$5,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SPANISH RIVER CONCERTS
$5,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
ST JUDE'S CHILDREN'S RESEARCH HOSPITAL
$5,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CAMP OUT FOR KIDS
$5,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
BOCA RATON REGIONAL HOSPITAL
$5,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MOTHERS AGAINST SENSELESS KILLINGS
$2,500GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SPRING CREEK HORSES HELP FOUNDATION
$2,500GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
SUMMER CAMP OPPORTUNITIES PROMOTE EDUCATION
$2,250GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
NAMI FOUNDATION
$2,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
NILES ATHLETIC BOOSTERS CLUB
$2,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
NICARAGUA RESOURCE NETWORK
$900GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO FOUNDATION
$250,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MICHIGAN ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
$100,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
JEWISH UNITED FUND OF CHICAGO
$100,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
TROY HIGH SCHOOL
$50,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORY ART
$45,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$35,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
FRANCIS W PARKER SCHOOL
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
MICHIGAN MEDICINE OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
LURIE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE
BROTHERS FOR LIFE
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED CHARITABLE PURPOSE