The David and Karen Bere Foundation concentrates its giving on evangelical Christian institutions, providing sizable support for theological education, church capital/campaign needs, and Christian media. Grants are large and targeted, often unrestricted or for major fundraising efforts, and are directed to a small set of repeat recipients rather than broad, diffuse grantmaking.
David and Karen Bere Foundation’s recent giving is defined by repeated six-figure support for evangelical Christian institutions, especially Christ Church of Oak Brook, Fuller Theological Seminary, and Christianity Today International. The largest grants in the file are $150,000 awards to Christ Church of Oak Brook in 2025 and 2024 for the LIFT and Lift Campaign Fund efforts, alongside a $150,000 grant to Fuller Theological Seminary in 2023 for General & Unrestricted support. Those awards sit within a pattern of targeted, high-dollar gifts rather than broad, dispersed grantmaking. The foundation also uses its grants to strengthen Christian education and communications. Fuller Theological Seminary appears with both operating support and a named scholarship fund, while Christianity Today International receives multiple unrestricted and campaign-related grants, including a branding initiative. Other recurring recipients include Mike Kruger Ministries Inc and Lawndale Community Church, suggesting sustained relationships with a small set of faith-based organizations. The grants are almost entirely U.S.-based and include support for church campaigns, theological training, scholarship funding, media, and ministry operations.
A major thread in the foundation’s giving is theological education. Fuller Theological Seminary received $150,000 in 2023 for General & Unrestricted support, then $75,000 in both 2024 and 2025, and another $100,000 in 2025 for the Rev. Dr. Daniel Meyer/Christ Church of Oak Brook Scholarship Fund. Christian media is another clear focus. Christianity Today International received $100,000 in 2025 for General & Unrestricted support, $100,000 in 2024 for the same purpose, plus $50,000 in 2023 for a Campaign Fund and $20,000 in 2024 for a branding initiative. The foundation also backs church and ministry work. Christ Church of Oak Brook received $150,000 in 2025 for LIFT and $12,500 in 2023 for the Missions-World Relief Ukraine Scholarship Fund. Lawndale Community Church and Mike Kruger Ministries Inc each received repeated general support across multiple years.
The typical grant size is $1,800 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $12,000 at the 75th percentile, but the foundation also makes far larger awards for selected institutions. The grant file shows repeat support across multiple years for several recipients, including Christ Church of Oak Brook, Fuller Theological Seminary, Christianity Today International, Lawndale Community Church, Mike Kruger Ministries Inc, and Thornston Educational Fund. That pattern points to ongoing relationships rather than one-off transactions. The foundation’s listed structure indicates it funds individuals and does not make program-related investments. No application process is shown in the data.
$298K
$154K
$63K
$327K
Most grants fall between $2K and $12K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$12K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in IL.
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of repeat grantees; mix of unrestricted general support and designated campaign funding rather than many small, new grants.
Notable grantees: Fuller Theological Seminary, Christ Church of Oak Brook, Christianity Today International
Grant recipients are entirely U.S.-based in the recent file, with 93 grants and 100.0% of grants going to recipients in the United States. Illinois is the top state by grant count, and several recipients are concentrated in places such as Oak Brook, Wheaton, Carol Stream, Chicago, Hinsdale, and Kansas City. Outside Illinois, the file includes Pasadena, Sarasota, Houston, Wrightwood, Harlan, and Wichita Falls among recipient locations. The geographic pattern is national, but the distribution is heavily weighted toward Illinois.
The recent grants point to evangelical Christian institutions, including theological education, church capital and campaign work, Christian media, and ministry support. Examples in the file include Fuller Theological Seminary, Christ Church of Oak Brook, Christianity Today International, Lawndale Community Church, and Mike Kruger Ministries Inc.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is $1,800 at the 25th percentile, $5,000 at the median, and $12,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent file also includes several much larger awards, such as $150,000 and $100,000 grants to selected recipients.
Yes. The grant file shows recurring support across multiple years for several organizations. Christ Church of Oak Brook, Fuller Theological Seminary, Christianity Today International, Lawndale Community Church, Mike Kruger Ministries Inc, and Thornston Educational Fund each appear more than once in the recent grants list.
Illinois is the top state by grant count. Recent recipient cities there include Oak Brook, Wheaton, Carol Stream, Chicago, Hinsdale, and other Illinois locations, while the overall giving scope is national.
Yes. The foundation is marked as funding individuals, and the recent grants include a scholarship-related award to Fuller Theological Seminary for the Rev. Dr. Daniel Meyer/Christ Church of Oak Brook Scholarship Fund.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHRIST CHURCH OF OAK BROOK | OAK BROOK, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| CHRISTIANITY TODAY INTERNATIONAL | WHEATON, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| MIKE KRUGER MINISTRIES INC | SARASOTA, FL | $33,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY | PASADENA, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| LAWNDALE COMMUNITY CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $18,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| CHAMPIONSHIP GREATNESS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $12,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| THORNSTON EDUCATIONAL FUND | WRIGHTWOOD, CA | $12,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| YOUNG LIFE | IMMOKALEE, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| ALTAR FLY FISHING | LOMBARD, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| THILLEN EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC | GREENSBORO, GA | $10,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| NORTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY | LISLE, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | Perkins Scholarship Fund |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | FAYETTEVILLE, AR | $7,200 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| PILLAR CHURCH | FORT WORTH, TX | $6,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| GOOD WORKS COLLECTIVE | HOUSTON, TX | $6,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| COME AND SEE FOUNDATION INC | COLORADO SPGS, CO | $5,000 | 2026 | The Chosen Series |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $5,000 | 2026 | John Miley Media School Collection Fund |
| YOUNG LIFE | HARLAN, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| ENCOUNTERING THE LOGOS MINISTRY | WINNETKA, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS | ELMHURST, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| YOUNG LIFE | NORTHVILLE, MI | $3,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| YOUNG LIFE | HARLAN, IA | $2,400 | 2026 | Eastern DuPage Chapter |
| TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS | ELMHURST, IL | $2,000 | 2026 | Christmas bonus fund for staff |
| BONA VISTA PROGRAMS INC | KOKOMO, IN | $1,500 | 2026 | Charitable Event |
| CHICAGO WEST SIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $1,500 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| SIM USA INCORPORATED | CHARLOTTE, NC | $1,200 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| TEACHBEYOND INC | DOWNERS GROVE, IL | $1,200 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| WHITE HOUSE FELLOWS FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,000 | 2026 | General & Unrestricted |
| CHRIST CHURCH OF OAK BROOK | OAK BROOK, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | LIFT |
| CHRISTIANITY TODAY INTERNATIONAL | WHEATON, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY | PASADENA, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | Rev. Dr. Daniel Meyer/Christ Church of Oak Brook Scholarship Fund |
| FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY | PASADENA, CA | $75,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| MIKE KRUGER MINISTRIES INC | SARASOTA, FL | $33,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| LAWNDALE COMMUNITY CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $18,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| CHAMPIONSHIP GREATNESS | KANSAS CITY, MO | $15,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| THORNSTON EDUCATIONAL FUND | WRIGHTWOOD, CA | $12,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| GOOD WORKS COLLECTIVE | HOUSTON, TX | $11,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| YOUNG LIFE | HARLAN, IA | $10,000 | 2025 | Charitable Event |
| NORTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY | LISLE, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | John Perkins Fellows |
| PILLAR CHURCH | FORT WORTH, TX | $6,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| YOUNG LIFE | HARLAN, IA | $6,000 | 2025 | Warrick County |
| FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES | FAYETTEVILLE, AR | $5,200 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| ALTAR FLY FISHING | LOMBARD, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION | INDIANAPOLIS, IN | $5,000 | 2025 | John Miley Media School Collection Fund |
| YOUNG LIFE | HARLAN, IA | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| COME AND SEE FOUNDATION INC | COLORADO SPGS, CO | $5,000 | 2025 | The Chosen |
| ENCOUNTERING THE LOGOS MINISTRY | WINNETKA, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| YOUNG LIFE | NORTHVILLE, MI | $3,000 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
| YOUNG LIFE | HARLAN, IA | $2,400 | 2025 | Eastern Dupage |
| TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS | ELMHURST, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | Christmas Bonus for Staff |
| CHICAGO WEST SIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $1,500 | 2025 | General & Unrestricted |
CHRIST CHURCH OF OAK BROOK
$50,000General & Unrestricted
MIKE KRUGER MINISTRIES INC
$33,000General & Unrestricted
FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
$25,000General & Unrestricted
LAWNDALE COMMUNITY CHURCH
$18,000General & Unrestricted
CHAMPIONSHIP GREATNESS
$12,000General & Unrestricted
YOUNG LIFE
$10,000General & Unrestricted
ALTAR FLY FISHING
$10,000General & Unrestricted
THILLEN EDUCATION FOUNDATION INC
$10,000General & Unrestricted
NORTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
$10,000Perkins Scholarship Fund
PILLAR CHURCH
$6,000General & Unrestricted
GOOD WORKS COLLECTIVE
$6,000General & Unrestricted
COME AND SEE FOUNDATION INC
$5,000The Chosen Series
YOUNG LIFE
$5,000General & Unrestricted
ENCOUNTERING THE LOGOS MINISTRY
$5,000General & Unrestricted
YOUNG LIFE
$3,000General & Unrestricted
YOUNG LIFE
$2,400Eastern DuPage Chapter
BONA VISTA PROGRAMS INC
$1,500Charitable Event
CHICAGO WEST SIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
$1,500General & Unrestricted
SIM USA INCORPORATED
$1,200General & Unrestricted
TEACHBEYOND INC
$1,200General & Unrestricted
CHRIST CHURCH OF OAK BROOK
$150,000LIFT
FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
$100,000Rev. Dr. Daniel Meyer/Christ Church of Oak Brook Scholarship Fund
FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
$75,000General & Unrestricted
MIKE KRUGER MINISTRIES INC
$33,000General & Unrestricted
LAWNDALE COMMUNITY CHURCH
$18,000General & Unrestricted
CHAMPIONSHIP GREATNESS
$15,000General & Unrestricted
GOOD WORKS COLLECTIVE
$11,000General & Unrestricted
YOUNG LIFE
$10,000Charitable Event
NORTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
$10,000John Perkins Fellows
PILLAR CHURCH
$6,000General & Unrestricted
YOUNG LIFE
$6,000Warrick County
ALTAR FLY FISHING
$5,000General & Unrestricted
INDIANA UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION
$5,000John Miley Media School Collection Fund
COME AND SEE FOUNDATION INC
$5,000The Chosen
ENCOUNTERING THE LOGOS MINISTRY
$5,000General & Unrestricted
YOUNG LIFE
$3,000General & Unrestricted
YOUNG LIFE
$2,400Eastern Dupage
CHICAGO WEST SIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
$1,500General & Unrestricted