The John R Halligan Charitable Fund is a highly focused arts philanthropist that directs essentially all of its support to a single major cultural institution in Chicago. Its grants are large, unrestricted gifts intended for general operating use, indicating trust in institutional leadership and a priority on sustaining flagship performing-arts organizations. The foundation appears to operate as a patron fund rather than a broadly diversified grantmaker.
Highly concentrated giving: very few (three) grants all to the same recipient, large-dollar amounts, repeated unrestricted support to a single flagship cultural institution.
John R Halligan Charitable Fund C/o Norman Kellerman directs nearly all of its recent giving to a small set of cultural institutions in Chicago and Honolulu, with unrestricted support appearing repeatedly across multiple years. The largest recent grant in the file is $268,522 to Lyric Opera of Chicago in 2025, following prior-year awards of $257,875 in 2024 and $257,430 in 2023. That repeating pattern points to an ongoing relationship rather than isolated project funding. The fund’s recent grants also show sustained support for Chicago History Museum, WTTW WFMt, and the Art Institute of Chicago, alongside Hawaiian institutions such as Hawaii Opera Theatre, Honolulu Museum of Art, Bishop Museum, and Honolulu Zoo Society. In each case, the stated purpose is general use of charity, which suggests flexible operating support rather than restricted program awards. The overall profile is that of a concentrated arts-and-culture patron fund. Its giving is substantial, but the recipient list remains narrow, with a clear emphasis on major nonprofit institutions that serve broad public audiences.
A central theme in the fund’s recent giving is opera. In 2025, it gave $100,000 to Hawaii Opera Theatre, and the same organization received $85,000 in both 2023 and 2024, all for unrestricted general use. Museums are another recurring area. The foundation awarded $100,000 to Chicago History Museum in 2025, after giving that institution $90,000 in 2024 and $90,000 in 2023. It also supported Honolulu Museum of Art with $90,000 in 2025, following $80,000 awards in both 2024 and 2023. Public media and performance-related organizations appear as well. WTTW WFMt received $90,000 in 2025, after $82,500 in both 2024 and 2023, while Hawaii Symphony Orchestra received $60,000 in 2025. These grants fit a pattern of general operating support for established cultural institutions.
Typical grants sit in the mid-five-figure range, with a p25 of $7,000, a median of $13,000, and a p75 of $29,500. The recent grants file shows a much larger set of awards to a small number of institutions, including repeated annual support over 2023 through 2025. That recurrence matters: several grantees appear in multiple years, usually with similar unrestricted amounts. The structure looks like a charitable fund rather than a program grantmaker, and it does not make program-related investments or grants to individuals. Grant purposes in the recent list are consistently framed as unrestricted or general use of charity.
$2.8M
$20M
$12.7M
$3.1M
Most grants fall between $7K and $30K, with a median of $13K.
25th Percentile
$7K
Median
$13K
75th Percentile
$30K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Notable grantees: Lyric Opera of Chicago
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in Illinois and Hawaii. Illinois accounts for 66% of grants, and Chicago appears frequently through institutions such as Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago History Museum, WTTW WFMt, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Honolulu is the other major recipient city, with repeated awards to Hawaii Opera Theatre, Honolulu Museum of Art, PBS Hawaii, Bishop Museum, and Honolulu Zoo Society. The country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, at 317 grants and 100.0% in the United States.
It primarily supports nonprofit cultural institutions, especially arts and museum organizations. The recent grants list includes repeated awards to opera companies, museums, public media, and other major civic institutions, all described as unrestricted or for general use of charity.
Typical grant size falls at a p25 of $7,000, a median of $13,000, and a p75 of $29,500. The recent file also shows much larger awards to a small number of recurring institutions.
Yes. The recent grants show repeated awards across 2023, 2024, and 2025 to several of the same institutions, often at similar levels and for unrestricted general use. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time grants.
Most grants go to Illinois, which represents 66% of grants by recipient location. Chicago is the main Illinois city in the recent grants, while Honolulu is the other major recipient city in the file.
The giving is concentrated, but it is not limited to a single institution. Recent awards reach opera, museums, public media, and other cultural nonprofits in Chicago and Honolulu, all with general operating or unrestricted support.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $268,522 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| HAWAIIAN HUMANE SOCIETY | HONOLULU, HI | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| HAWAII OPERA THEATRE | HONOLULU, HI | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| HONOLULU MUSEUM OF ART | HONOLULU, HI | $90,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| WTTW WFMT | CHICAGO, IL | $90,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| PBS HAWAII | HONOLULU, HI | $90,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| BISHOP MUSEUM | HONOLULU, HI | $80,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| HONOLULU ZOO SOCIETY | HONOLULU, HI | $70,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| HAWAII SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | HONOLULU, HI | $60,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| DIAMOND HEAD THEATRE | HONOLULU, HI | $55,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| CHICAGO OPERA THEATRE | CHICAGO, IL | $55,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| ANTI-CRUELTY SOCIETY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $45,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| FIELD MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $45,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN | GLENCOE, IL | $45,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | BROOKFIELD, IL | $45,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| HAWAII CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTER | HONOLULU, HI | $45,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| SHEDD AQUARIUM | CHICAGO, IL | $40,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART | CHICAGO, IL | $40,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| LINCOLN PARK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $40,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY | CHICAGO, IL | $40,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| ADLER PLANETARIUM AND ASTRONOMY MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $40,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| KOHL CHILDREN'S MUSEUM | GLENVIEW, IL | $35,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| WAIKIKI AQUARIUM | HONOLULU, HI | $35,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| CHICAGO THEATRE GROUP | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO | HONOLULU, HI | $30,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| CHICAGO SINFONIETA | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY ALLIANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| UNITED VOICES CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| PEGGY NOTEBAERT NATURE MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| KESHET | NORTHBROOK, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM | SKOKIE, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| LINCOLN PARK CONSERVANCY | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| NEWBERRY LIBRARY | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATRE | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| HAWAII THEATRE CENTER | HONOLULU, HI | $22,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| JEWISH CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| SOLOMON SCHECTER DAY SCHOOL OF METRO CHICAGO | NORTHBROOK, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| RAVINIA | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| PEARL HARBOR AVIATION MUSEUM | HONOLULU, HI | $20,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY | CHICAGO, IL | $17,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| HONOLULU THEATRE FOR YOUTH | HONOLULU, HI | $17,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| HAWAII YOUTH OPERA CHORUS | HONOLULU, HI | $17,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| JOFFREY BALLET OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $17,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| MUSIC THEATRE WORKS | WILMETTE, IL | $17,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| STEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY | CHICAGO, IL | $17,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| HAWAII YOUTH SYMPHONY | HONOLULU, HI | $17,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
| CHICAGO ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY |
LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO
$268,522UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
HAWAIIAN HUMANE SOCIETY
$100,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM
$100,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
HAWAII OPERA THEATRE
$100,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
HONOLULU MUSEUM OF ART
$90,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
WTTW WFMT
$90,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
PBS HAWAII
$90,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
BISHOP MUSEUM
$80,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
HONOLULU ZOO SOCIETY
$70,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
$60,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
HAWAII SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$60,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
DIAMOND HEAD THEATRE
$55,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
CHICAGO OPERA THEATRE
$55,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$50,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
ANTI-CRUELTY SOCIETY OF CHICAGO
$45,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
FIELD MUSEUM
$45,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN
$45,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
CHICAGO ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
$45,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
HAWAII CHILDREN'S DISCOVERY CENTER
$45,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
SHEDD AQUARIUM
$40,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
$40,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
LINCOLN PARK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY
$40,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
$40,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
ADLER PLANETARIUM AND ASTRONOMY MUSEUM
$40,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
KOHL CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
$35,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
WAIKIKI AQUARIUM
$35,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
CHICAGO THEATRE GROUP
$30,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
HAWAII PUBLIC RADIO
$30,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
CHICAGO SINFONIETA
$30,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY ALLIANCE
$30,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
UNITED VOICES CHICAGO
$25,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
PEGGY NOTEBAERT NATURE MUSEUM
$25,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
KESHET
$25,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
$25,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
LINCOLN PARK CONSERVANCY
$25,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
NEWBERRY LIBRARY
$25,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATRE
$25,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
HAWAII THEATRE CENTER
$22,500UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
JEWISH CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES
$20,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
SOLOMON SCHECTER DAY SCHOOL OF METRO CHICAGO
$20,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
RAVINIA
$20,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
PEARL HARBOR AVIATION MUSEUM
$20,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY
$17,500UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
HONOLULU THEATRE FOR YOUTH
$17,500UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
HAWAII YOUTH OPERA CHORUS
$17,500UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
JOFFREY BALLET OF CHICAGO
$17,500UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
MUSIC THEATRE WORKS
$17,500UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
STEPPENWOLF THEATRE COMPANY
$17,500UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
HAWAII YOUTH SYMPHONY
$17,500UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY
CHICAGO ACADEMY FOR THE ARTS
$15,000UNRESTRICTED FOR GENERAL USE OF CHARITY