The Gurtz Family Foundation makes a small number of relatively large, unrestricted gifts focused on health care institutions and local community service providers, primarily in the Chicago region. Their grants favor established medical centers and one community-based organization, suggesting priority for patient care/medical research and local social services. The foundation appears to concentrate its resources on a few high-impact grantees rather than broad, dispersed giving.
Concentrated giving: three relatively large one-off or annual gifts totaling $220K, focused on a few established institutions rather than many small grants; regionally focused with emphasis on health care and a single community organization.
A single $95,000 gift to City of Hope in Duarte, California anchors the Gurtz Family Foundation C/o Gurtz Electric Company’s recent grant record. From there, the foundation’s pattern becomes clear: it directs relatively large, unrestricted operational support to health care institutions, children’s services, and community providers, with much of the giving clustered in the Chicago area. Recent recipients include Northwestern Memorial Foundation in Chicago, Lurie Children’s Hospital Fdn in Carol Stream, and Zacharias Center in Gurnee, each receiving support for exempt-purpose operations. The foundation also appears to back affiliated medical philanthropy and neighborhood social-service organizations rather than a broad array of unrelated causes. Grants are typically made to established tax-exempt organizations, and the repeated appearances of several grantees suggest ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards. Within the recent grants list, hospitals and medical foundations account for a substantial share, while community-service groups and family-support organizations form the other visible strand. The result is a compact grantmaking profile centered on patient care, medical institutions, and local nonprofit infrastructure.
Health care is a central thread in the foundation’s giving. In 2025, it awarded $75,000 to Northwestern Memorial Foundation for exempt-purpose operations, and it also supported Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital with $50,000 in 2024 and $32,500 in 2023. Pediatric and family health organizations also appear: Lurie Children’s Hospital Fdn received $50,000 in 2025, while Ronald Mcdonald House received $30,000 in 2025 and $25,000 in 2024. The foundation also gave $50,000 in both 2024 and 2025 to Zacharias Center in Gurnee for exempt-purpose operations, showing support for local community services. Beyond Illinois, St Jude Hospital in Memphis received $30,000 in 2025, $25,000 in 2024, and $25,000 in 2023, and City of Hope received $95,000 in 2023. These awards point to a mix of medical care, patient support, and community-based services.
Typical grants cluster in the mid-five-figure range: p25 is $10,000, median is $15,000, and p75 is $25,000. The recent list also includes larger awards such as $75,000 and $95,000, but most gifts sit within a relatively tight range. The pattern suggests recurring relationships rather than one-time awards, with several recipients appearing in multiple years, including Zacharias Center, St Jude Hospital, Ronald Mcdonald House, and Rory David Deutch Foundation. The foundation gives only to tax-exempt nonprofit organizations and the grants are coded as exempt-purpose operations, indicating unrestricted or operating-style support rather than project-specific awards. No application process is shown in the data.
$620K
$10M
$1.1M
$733K
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Notable grantees: City of Hope, Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Zacharias Center
Giving is highly concentrated in Illinois, which accounts for 82% of grants and is the top state by grant count. Chicago appears repeatedly, including Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Make-a-wish Foundation, Bowa Gives Foundation, Saturday Place, and The Anti-cruelty Society. Other Illinois recipient cities include Gurnee, Carol Stream, Oak Brook, Highland Park, Lake Forest, and Evanston. Outside Illinois, the list reaches Duarte, California; Memphis, Tennessee; Des Moines, Iowa; and Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. All grants in the recent data went to U.S. recipients.
The recent grants list shows support for hospitals, medical foundations, children’s services, and community organizations. Examples include Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Lurie Children’s Hospital Fdn, Zacharias Center, Ronald Mcdonald House, and St Jude Hospital, all funded as exempt-purpose operations.
The foundation’s stated grant-size distribution is relatively tight: p25 is $10,000, median is $15,000, and p75 is $25,000. Recent awards also include larger gifts of $50,000, $75,000, and $95,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Zacharias Center, St Jude Hospital, Ronald Mcdonald House, Rory David Deutch Foundation, Feldman Family Foundation, Make-a-wish Foundation, and Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital.
Illinois is the main giving state, with 82% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Chicago is a frequent recipient city, along with Gurnee, Carol Stream, Oak Brook, Highland Park, Lake Forest, and Evanston.
The recent grants are consistently labeled exempt-purpose operations, which points to general operating or unrestricted support. The recipient list is limited to tax-exempt nonprofit organizations.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| LURIE CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FDN | CAROL STREAM, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| ZACHARIAS CENTER | GURNEE, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| ST JUDE HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $50,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| FELDMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION | LAKE FOREST, IL | $40,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $40,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | OAK BROOK, IL | $40,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| SATURDAY PLACE | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| RORY DAVID DEUTCH FOUNDATION | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| THE WELL RESOURCE CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| HFS CHICAGO SCHOLARS | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| CHARLIE PROJECT DOG RESCUE | TWIN LAKES, WI | $20,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METRO CHGO | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| THE ANTI-CRUELTY SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| DANCERING WHILE CANCERING | GLENCOE, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| HEARTLAND ANIMAL SHELTER | WHEELING, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| TUNNELS TO TOWERS | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | DALLAS, TX | $10,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| PAWS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| CHICAGO COALITION TO END HOMELESS | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| CHICAGO GREATER FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| HIRE 360 | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| LES TURNER ALS FOUNDATION | SKOKIE, IL | $7,500 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $7,500 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| JENNIFER LYNN SNYDER FOUNDATION | NORTHBROOK, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| THE ARK | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| CHICAGOLAND LAB RESCUE | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| LURIE CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FDN | CAROL STREAM, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| ZACHARIAS CENTER | GURNEE, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| ST JUDE HOSPITAL | MEMPHIS, TN | $30,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| FELDMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION | LAKE FOREST, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE | OAK BROOK, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| RORY DAVID DEUTCH FOUNDATION | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| SATURDAY PLACE | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METRO CHGO | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| THE ANTI-CRUELTY SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| HEARTLAND ANIMAL SHELTER | WHEELING, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| DANCERING WHILE CANCERING | GLENCOE, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION | DALLAS, TX | $10,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| CHARLIE PROJECT DOG RESCUE | TWIN LAKES, WI | $10,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| TUNNELS TO TOWERS | STATEN ISLAND, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| THE WELL RESOURCE CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| CHICAGO COALITION TO END HOMELESS | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| CHICAGO GREATER FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| PAWS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| LES TURNER ALS FOUNDATION | SKOKIE, IL | $7,500 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
| PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $7,500 | 2025 | EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS |
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$75,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
LURIE CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FDN
$50,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
FELDMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION
$40,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
$40,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
SATURDAY PLACE
$25,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
RORY DAVID DEUTCH FOUNDATION
$25,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
THE WELL RESOURCE CENTER
$20,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
CHARLIE PROJECT DOG RESCUE
$20,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
DANCERING WHILE CANCERING
$15,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
TUNNELS TO TOWERS
$10,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
CHICAGO GREATER FOOD DEPOSITORY
$10,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
LES TURNER ALS FOUNDATION
$7,500EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION
$7,500EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
JENNIFER LYNN SNYDER FOUNDATION
$5,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
CHICAGOLAND LAB RESCUE
$5,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$75,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
LURIE CHILDRENS HOSPITAL FDN
$50,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
ST JUDE HOSPITAL
$30,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
FELDMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION
$30,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
$30,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
RORY DAVID DEUTCH FOUNDATION
$25,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
SATURDAY PLACE
$20,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
DANCERING WHILE CANCERING
$15,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
CHARLIE PROJECT DOG RESCUE
$10,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
THE WELL RESOURCE CENTER
$10,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
CHICAGO GREATER FOOD DEPOSITORY
$10,000EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS
PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION
$7,500EXEMPT PURPOSE OPERATIONS