The Koch Family Foundation (Chicago) concentrates its giving on a small number of relatively large, discretionary grants to civic and civic‑adjacent organizations in the Chicago area. Its support spans international affairs/public policy, emergency food systems and culinary culture, and major public cultural venues, with a tendency to fund organizations unrestrictedly. The foundation makes repeat investments in select institutions rather than many small awards, signaling a focus on institutional capacity and public-facing impact.
Concentrated portfolio of few, relatively large discretionary grants mostly to Chicago institutions; repeat funding to core grantees; preference for unrestricted/program‑support gifts over many small awards.
Koch Family Foundation C/o Aronberg Goldgehn Davis and Garmisa gives through discretionary awards that often support the operating flexibility of established civic and cultural institutions. Two of its largest recent grants went to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, at $165,000 in 2024 and $160,000 in 2025, showing a repeated commitment to public-policy and international-affairs work in Chicago. The foundation also backed the Greater Chicago Food Depository with $133,334 in 2024, placing emergency food access among its more significant recent priorities. Its recent grants point to a pattern of institution-level support rather than project-only funding. Chicago organizations appear frequently, alongside a smaller set of recipients in New York and other places. The foundation’s portfolio includes civic anchors, food systems, legal education, religious institutions, and public-serving nonprofits. Grants to Navy Pier Inc., the James Beard Foundation, and the Civic Federation fit the same discretionary approach: support for organizations with broad public reach and durable community roles. The overall picture is of a donor that favors flexible use by recipients and returns to a limited group of grantees over time.
In public policy and international affairs, the foundation gave $165,000 in 2024 and $160,000 in 2025 to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, both marked for discretionary use by the receiving organization. In food access, it awarded $133,334 in 2024 to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, also as discretionary support. Civic and cultural institutions are another clear thread. Navy Pier Inc. received $62,000 in 2023 and $24,000 in 2025, while the James Beard Foundation received $40,000 in 2025 and $21,250 in 2023. Smaller discretionary grants also went to the Civic Federation and Chicago Public Library, showing that the foundation supports public-facing institutions across several parts of civic life.
Typical grants fall in a small-to-mid range, with a p25 of $1,000, a median of $2,500, and a p75 of $8,090. That distribution sits alongside a few much larger discretionary awards, which make up a substantial share of the foundation’s annual giving. The grant list shows repeat support to the same organizations across multiple years, especially within Chicago. The pattern is discretionary rather than tightly restricted, and the foundation appears to use general or grantee-directed support for many recipients. It is not a fund for individuals, and it does not make program-related investments.
$134K
$193K
$41K
$149K
Most grants fall between $1K and $8K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$8K
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Notable grantees: Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Navy Pier, Inc., James Beard Foundation
Giving is heavily concentrated in Illinois, which accounts for 66% of grants by recipient location, while the foundation’s scope is regional. Chicago is the main destination, with many grants to Chicago-based organizations including the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Navy Pier Inc., the Greater Chicago Food Depository, and the Civic Federation. Outside Illinois, grants also reached Brooklyn and New York, NY, plus Sawyer, IL, Louisville, KY, Amherst, MA, and Evaston, IL.
The recent grants show support for civic and public-policy organizations, food access groups, cultural institutions, legal and educational organizations, and religious institutions. Examples include the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Navy Pier Inc., the James Beard Foundation, the Civic Federation, and the University of Chicago Law School.
Yes. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs appears in both 2024 and 2025 at $165,000 and $160,000. Navy Pier Inc. also appears in 2023 and 2025, and Temple Shalom received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Among recent grants, the p25 is $1,000, the median is $2,500, and the p75 is $8,090. The distribution includes a few much larger awards, such as $165,000 and $160,000 to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
Illinois receives 66% of grants by recipient location, and Chicago is the main city in the recent grant list. Illinois recipients include the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Navy Pier Inc., the Civic Federation, Sinai Chicago, and Chicago Public Library.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $34,035 | 2026 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO COUNCIL ON GLOBAL AFFAIRS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| YMCA OF GREATER NEW YORK | BROOKLYN, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| PROSPECT PARK ALLIANCE | NY, NY | $15,000 | 2026 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| NATURALLY CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO ARCHITECTURE CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| TEMPLE SHALOM | CHICAGO, IL | $3,990 | 2026 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| CONGREGATION BETH ELOHIM | BROOKLYN, NY | $3,960 | 2026 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| CIVIC FEDERATION | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2026 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| MHUB | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2026 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| CHIKAMING OPEN LANDS | SAWYER, IL | $1,000 | 2026 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| HOSPITAL FOR SPECIAL SURGERY FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2026 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| PAN-MASS CHALLENGE | NEEDHAM, MA | $500 | 2026 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO COUNCIL ON GLOBAL AFFAIRS | CHICAGO, IL | $160,000 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $40,000 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| YMCA OF GREATER NEW YORK | BROOKLYN, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| NAVY PIER INC | CHICAGO, IL | $24,000 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| PROSPECT PARK ALLIANCE | NY, NY | $17,500 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| CONGREGATION BETH ELOHIM | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,360 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| CIVIC FEDERATION | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LAW SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| TEMPLE SHALOM | CHICAGO, IL | $4,000 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| NATURALLY CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $3,500 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| CHIKAMING OPEN LANDS | SAWYER, IL | $3,000 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH UNITED FOOD | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVASTON, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| UJA NYC | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| MHUB | CHICAGO, IL | $1,602 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| APERTURE | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| PESTALOZZI INTERNATIONAL | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO BOOTH SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| ANDREW LEVITT CENTER | OAKLAND, CA | $250 | 2025 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO COUNCIL ON GLOBAL AFFAIRS | CHICAGO, IL | $165,000 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $133,334 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| SINAI CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| TEMPLE SHALOM | CHICAGO, IL | $6,150 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVASTON, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LAW SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| CONGREGATION BETH ELOHIM | BROOKLYN, NY | $3,600 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| MIKVAH CHALLENGE FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| LINCOLN FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $2,500 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| ADVANCE ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $1,500 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| MHUB | CHICAGO, IL | $1,250 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| CAB FUNDRAISING | EVANSTON, IL | $1,031 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| CHIKAMING OPEN LANDS | SAWYER, IL | $1,000 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| PAN-MASS CHALLENGE | NEEDHAM, MA | $257 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
| INSTITUTE FOR NONPROFIT NEWS | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $200 | 2024 | DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION |
DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
NATURALLY CHICAGO
$5,000DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
TEMPLE SHALOM
$3,990DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
CONGREGATION BETH ELOHIM
$3,960DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
CIVIC FEDERATION
$2,500DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
CONGREGATION BETH ELOHIM
$10,360DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
CIVIC FEDERATION
$10,000DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
TEMPLE SHALOM
$4,000DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
NATURALLY CHICAGO
$3,500DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
UJA NYC
$2,000DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
APERTURE
$1,000DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
PESTALOZZI INTERNATIONAL
$1,000DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
ANDREW LEVITT CENTER
$250DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
TEMPLE SHALOM
$6,150DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
CONGREGATION BETH ELOHIM
$3,600DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY
$2,500DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
LINCOLN FOUNDATION
$2,500DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION
CAB FUNDRAISING
$1,031DISCRETIONARY USE BY RECEIVING ORGANIZATION