The Cooney Family Foundation concentrates its giving on higher education and faith-based community organizations, with a strong Chicago focus and several repeat large grants. They favor unrestricted/general support to established institutions—particularly Catholic and Jesuit universities and local social-service ministries—and fund health-related community programs. The pattern suggests family-directed philanthropy that balances national elite universities with local, mission-driven nonprofits.
A $132,735 grant to the Cooney Family Donor Advised Fund is the largest recent item in the record, and it helps frame how John D & Barbara C Cooney Family Fdtn C/o Barbara Cooney gives: through sizable general-charitable awards, often to established institutions and ministries tied to Catholic, Jesuit, and Chicago-based communities. The foundation’s recent grants include repeated support for Gilda's Club, University of Chicago, Loyola University School of Law, and Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, showing a mix of health-related community support, higher education, and faith-based social work. Several awards land at the $25,000, $50,000, and $100,000 levels, with general charitable use attached rather than narrowly prescribed project lines. The picture is of a family-directed funder that combines national universities with local nonprofit work, especially in Chicago, while also backing organizations serving education, reconciliation, and cancer support needs. Recurring support appears in more than one year for several recipients, suggesting an ongoing relationship rather than isolated giving. The overall pattern is broad in mission but selective in institution, with grantmaking that favors organizations able to absorb flexible support.
In higher education, the foundation supported Georgetown with $100,000 in 2023 and also gave Boston College $10,000 in 2023. Catholic and Jesuit institutions appear alongside Chicago-centered universities, including Loyola University School of Law at $50,000 in 2023 and $25,000 in 2024, and the University of Chicago at $50,000 in 2023 and $25,000 in 2024 and 2025. Faith-based social justice work is another clear thread: Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation received $25,000 in 2024 and again in 2025. On the health side, Gilda's Club received $55,000 in 2024, $37,500 in 2023, and $30,000 in 2025, while Help Hope Live appears with grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Youth-oriented education support also shows up through So Others May Learn and Fresh Start for Our Youth.
Typical grants cluster in the middle range, with a p25 of $10,000, a median of $15,000, and a p75 of $25,000. The record shows repeat grants to several recipients across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including organizations that receive more than one award in different years. That points to ongoing relationships rather than one-time gifts. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Most awards are listed as general charitable support, indicating flexible use rather than tightly restricted project funding.
$405K
$4.9M
$887K
$427K
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $15K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$15K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small set of recurring grantees; emphasis on general/unrestricted support and multi-grant relationships rather than many small one-off gifts.
Notable grantees: University of Chicago, Georgetown University, Gilda's Club, Loyola University School of Law, Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation
Giving is concentrated in Illinois, which accounts for 63% of grants, and Chicago appears frequently among recipient locations. Other Illinois recipients include Carbondale and Hoffman Estates. Beyond the state, the foundation also gave to organizations in Washington, DC; Minneapolis, MN; Radnor, MA; Portland, OR; and Chestnut Hill, MA. All recorded grants in the recent list went to US recipients.
The recent record shows a mix of higher education, faith-based ministries, cancer support, and youth education. Recipients include Georgetown, Loyola University School of Law, University of Chicago, Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, Gilda's Club, So Others May Learn, and Fresh Start for Our Youth.
The recent grants are overwhelmingly labeled general charitable, which points to flexible support rather than narrowly designated project funding. That pattern appears across awards of $10,000, $15,000, $25,000, $50,000, $55,000, and $100,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear across 2023, 2024, and 2025. Examples include Gilda's Club, Help Hope Live, Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, University of Chicago, Loyola University School of Law, Brehm Preparatory School, Death With Dignity, Northwestern Medical Womans Board, and Fresh Start for Our Youth.
The distribution is centered in the mid-five-figure range: p25 is $10,000, the median is $15,000, and p75 is $25,000. Larger awards do occur, including $50,000, $55,000, and $100,000.
Illinois is the main destination state, accounting for 63% of grants. Chicago is the most common city among recipients, with additional Illinois recipients in Carbondale and Hoffman Estates.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHARLES SCWAB DAF - DAF GIVING 360 | OMAHA, NE | $75,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| SO OTHERS MAY LEARN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| GILDA'S CLUB | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| JAZZ ASPEN SEASON SNOWMASS | ASPEN, CO | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLEGENERAL CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| PRECIOUS BLOOD MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| BREHM PREPARATORY SCHOOL | CARBONDALE, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL WOMANS BOARD | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| CHRYSTOSOM'S DAY SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| DEATH WITH DIGNITY | PORTLAND, OR | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| LOYOLA UNIVERSITY | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| HELP HOPE LIVE | RADNOR, MA | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| HUNTER CREEK HISTORICAL FOUNDATION | ASPEN, CO | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| FRESH START FOR OUR YOUTH | HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| LURIE'S CHILDREN HOSPITAL | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| GILDA'S CLUB | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| PRECIOUS BLOOD MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| BREHM PREPARATORY SCHOOL | CARBONDALE, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| DEATH WITH DIGNITY | PORTLAND, OR | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL WOMANS BOARD | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| HELP HOPE LIVE | RADNOR, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| FRESH START FOR OUR YOUTH | HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| GEORGIA CAMPAIGN FOR ADOLESENT POWER & POTENTIAL | ATLANTA, GA | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| COONEY FAMILY DONOR ADVISED FUND | WESTLAKE, TX | $132,735 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| GILDA'S CLUB | CHICAGO, IL | $55,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| LOYOLA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| PRECIOUS BLOOD MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| SO OTHERS MAY LEARN | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLEGENERAL CHARITABLE |
| HELP HOPE LIVE | RADNOR, MA | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| BREHM PREPARATORY SCHOOL | CARBONDALE, IL | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| BIG SHOULDERS FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL WOMANS BOARD | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| DEATH WITH DIGNITY | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| FRESH START FOR OUR YOUTH | HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| ST PATRICKS CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| ST IGNATIUS | CHICAGO, MA | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| GEORGETOWN | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2023 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| LOYOLA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL CHARITABLEGENERAL CHARITABLE |
| GILDA'S CLUB | CHICAGO, IL | $37,500 | 2023 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| HELP HOPE LIVE | RADNOR, MA | $20,000 | 2023 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| MISC CONTRIBUTIONS | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| FRESH START FOR OUR YOUTH | HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| DEATH WITH DIGNITY | PORTLAND, OR | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| BOSTON COLLEGE | CHESTNUT HILL, MA | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| BREHM PREPARATORY SCHOOL | CARBONDALE, IL | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| LOU FERRARO FAMILY FOUNDATION | MIAMI, FL | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
| NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL WOMANS BOARD | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL CHARITABLE |
CHARLES SCWAB DAF - DAF GIVING 360
$75,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
SO OTHERS MAY LEARN
$50,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
JAZZ ASPEN SEASON SNOWMASS
$50,000GENERAL CHARITABLEGENERAL CHARITABLE
GENERAL CHARITABLE
BREHM PREPARATORY SCHOOL
$20,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL WOMANS BOARD
$20,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
CHRYSTOSOM'S DAY SCHOOL
$20,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
DEATH WITH DIGNITY
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
HUNTER CREEK HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
FRESH START FOR OUR YOUTH
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
LURIE'S CHILDREN HOSPITAL
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
BREHM PREPARATORY SCHOOL
$20,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
DEATH WITH DIGNITY
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL WOMANS BOARD
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
FRESH START FOR OUR YOUTH
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
COONEY FAMILY DONOR ADVISED FUND
$132,735GENERAL CHARITABLE
LOYOLA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW
$25,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
SO OTHERS MAY LEARN
$25,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
BREHM PREPARATORY SCHOOL
$15,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL WOMANS BOARD
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
DEATH WITH DIGNITY
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
FRESH START FOR OUR YOUTH
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
ST PATRICKS CHURCH
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
ST IGNATIUS
$2,500GENERAL CHARITABLE
GEORGETOWN
$100,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
GILDA'S CLUB
$37,500GENERAL CHARITABLE
MISC CONTRIBUTIONS
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
FRESH START FOR OUR YOUTH
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
DEATH WITH DIGNITY
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
BOSTON COLLEGE
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
BREHM PREPARATORY SCHOOL
$10,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
LOU FERRARO FAMILY FOUNDATION
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE
NORTHWESTERN MEDICAL WOMANS BOARD
$5,000GENERAL CHARITABLE