The Kovler Family Foundation makes a small number of very large gifts focused on health/medical institutions, university-based research and programs, and civic infrastructure in Chicago. Their grants combine direct operating support and major capital or program gifts (often made via or alongside in-kind stock donations), and they fund a mix of local civic causes and prominent medical/higher-education institutions. The foundation appears to prefer concentrated, high-dollar awards rather than many small grants.
The Kovler Family Foundation’s grantmaking shows a recurring pattern of large, concentrated gifts to Chicago institutions, especially in medical care, research, and civic life. In the recent grants list, that includes seven-figure support for Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage and multiple major awards to The University of Chicago, Chicago Parks Foundation, and Jewish United Fund of Metro Chicago. The foundation’s work also reaches beyond a single sector: health systems, university-affiliated medical programs, children’s services, education, and cultural institutions all appear among its recipients. The foundation’s biggest recent awards sit well above its typical grant size, which helps explain its profile as a funder of episodic, high-value commitments rather than broad small-grant activity. Medical beneficiaries include hospitals and disease-focused organizations, while civic and cultural support has gone to parks, museums, a ballet company, and zoological and Holocaust education institutions. Chicago remains central to the giving pattern, but the portfolio also includes California, New York, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Washington, DC recipients. Across the list, grants are often framed as support to aid the exempt purposes of recipient organizations.
Medical and health-related institutions are a clear part of the foundation’s portfolio. In 2025, it gave $353,333 to PCD Foundation in Rochester for medical support, and it also awarded $220,000 to Prostate Cancer Foundation in Santa Monica for medical purposes. The University of Chicago received $770,223 in 2025 and $986,290 in 2023, both marked for medical-related support. Chicago civic and cultural institutions also receive sustained attention. Chicago Parks Foundation received $400,000 in 2025 and $1,500,000 in 2023 for general welfare. The foundation gave $50,000 to Joffrey Ballet in 2025 and $50,000 to Museum of Contemporary Art in 2025, reflecting support for arts and civic life. Education and children’s welfare appear as smaller but consistent lines of giving. Invest For Kids Inc received $175,000 in 2025 and $171,000 in 2023, while Teach for America received $100,000 in 2025 and $100,000 in 2023.
Typical grants are small relative to the foundation’s largest awards: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $3,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. At the same time, the recent grants list includes much larger episodic gifts, which makes the distribution appear highly skewed. The foundation also shows repeat support to the same organizations across multiple years, including The University of Chicago, Chicago Parks Foundation, Jewish United Fund of Metro Chicago, PCD Foundation, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Invest For Kids Inc, Teach for America, Museum of Contemporary Art, US Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Eisenhower Medical Center. The data also indicates use of appreciated stock in some grants and no program-related investments. Individuals are not funded.
$5.6M
$34.6M
$4.7M
$6.8M
Most grants fall between $2K and $10K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$2K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Concentrated giving: very few, large grants (multi-hundred-thousand to multi-million-dollar gifts), occasional repeat funding to the same institution (University of Chicago), frequent use of in-kind stock donations and donations routed through donor-advised funds or intermediaries.
Notable grantees: Eisenhower Medical Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago Parks Foundation, Schwab Charitable Fund
Giving is heavily concentrated in Illinois, with 66% of grants to recipients in the HQ state and Illinois as the top state by grant count. Chicago is the main city in the recent list, appearing through The University of Chicago, Chicago Parks Foundation, Jewish United Fund of Metro Chicago, Invest For Kids Inc, Teach for America, Museum of Contemporary Art, Joffrey Ballet, and Northwestern Mem Hospital-Kovler Ce. Outside Illinois, recent recipients include Rancho Mirage, Rochester, Santa Monica, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Boston, and Washington, DC. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
Recent grants go to medical centers and research groups, universities and school-related organizations, Chicago parks and civic institutions, children’s programs, and arts and cultural groups. Examples in the list include Eisenhower Medical Center, The University of Chicago, Chicago Parks Foundation, Invest For Kids Inc, and Museum of Contemporary Art.
The grant-size distribution is small at the center: the 25th percentile is $2,000, the median is $3,000, and the 75th percentile is $10,000. The recent list also includes much larger outliers, including seven-figure gifts.
Yes. The recent grants list includes repeat awards to several organizations across 2023 and 2025, including The University of Chicago, Chicago Parks Foundation, Jewish United Fund of Metro Chicago, PCD Foundation, Prostate Cancer Foundation, and Teach for America.
Illinois is the top state by grant count, and 66% of grants go to recipients in Illinois. Chicago appears repeatedly in the recent grants list, but the portfolio also reaches recipients in California, New York, Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Washington, DC.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eisenhower Medical Center | Rancho Mirage, CA | $2,008,149 | 2025 | Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.Donated 2 shares of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-A) stock @ $1,358,149 (average price of $679,074.50 per share on 12/31/2024)Cash amount $650,000.00 |
| The University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $770,223 | 2025 | Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Chicago Parks Foundation | Chicago, IL | $400,000 | 2025 | General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| PCD Foundation | Rochester, NY | $353,333 | 2025 | Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Jewish United Fund of Metro Chicago | Chicago, IL | $281,000 | 2025 | General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Prostate Cancer Foundation | Santa Monica, CA | $220,000 | 2025 | Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Invest For Kids Inc | Chicago, IL | $175,000 | 2025 | Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| American Israel Education Foundatio | Washington, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | Education-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Teach for America | Boston, MA | $100,000 | 2025 | General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| US Holocaust Memorial Museum | Highland Park, IL | $55,500 | 2025 | Cultural & Civic-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Northwestern Mem Hospital-Kovler Ce | Chicago, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Joffrey Ballet | Chicago, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | Cultural & Civic-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Milken Institute | Santa Monica, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Museum of Contemporary Art | Chicago, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | Cultural & Civic-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Shirley Ryan Ability Lab | Chicago, IL | $40,000 | 2025 | Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Imerman Angels | Chicago, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Dragonfly Foundation Chicago | Cincinnati, OH | $30,000 | 2025 | Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation | Wynnewood, PA | $28,000 | 2025 | Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Francis W Parker School | Chicago, IL | $26,000 | 2025 | Education-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Art Institute of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | Cultural & Civic-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundatio | Chicago, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Make A Wish Foundation | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Desert Community Foundation | Palm Desert, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Anti-Defamation League | Chicago, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospita | Memphis, TN | $20,000 | 2025 | Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| International Community Foundation | National City, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Publicolor | New York, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Conquer Cancer the ASCO Fndtn | Merrifield, VA | $15,000 | 2025 | Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Shalom Tikvah | Baltimore, MD | $12,500 | 2025 | Religious-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Jewish Federation of the Desert | Rancho Mirage, CA | $10,250 | 2025 | Religious-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Millennium Park Inc | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| WTTW | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Education-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Chicago Youth Centers | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Palm Springs Art Museum | Palm Springs, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | Cultural & Civic-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Dare2tri Paratriathalon Club | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Chicago Children's Advocacy Center | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Rancho Mirage Writers Festival | Rancho Mirage, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | Cultural & Civic-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| La Rabida Children's Hosp Research | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Better Government Assoc | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Chicago Scholars | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Education-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Camp For All Kids | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Intonation Music Workshop | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| LEARN Charter School Network | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Education-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Help Hope Live | Radnor, PA | $10,000 | 2025 | Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Providence St Mel School | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Education-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Chicago History Museum | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Cultural & Civic-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Alzheimer's Association | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| Al Otro Lado | San Ysidro, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
| First Tee of Greater Chicago | Chicago, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations. |
Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.Donated 2 shares of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK-A) stock @ $1,358,149 (average price of $679,074.50 per share on 12/31/2024)Cash amount $650,000.00
Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
PCD Foundation
$353,333Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
American Israel Education Foundatio
$100,000Education-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Cultural & Civic-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Northwestern Mem Hospital-Kovler Ce
$50,000Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Cultural & Civic-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Museum of Contemporary Art
$50,000Cultural & Civic-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Francis W Parker School
$26,000Education-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Cultural & Civic-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
St Jude Children's Research Hospita
$20,000Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Conquer Cancer the ASCO Fndtn
$15,000Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Shalom Tikvah
$12,500Religious-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Religious-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Millennium Park Inc
$10,000General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
WTTW
$10,000Education-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Cultural & Civic-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Dare2tri Paratriathalon Club
$10,000General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Cultural & Civic-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Chicago Scholars
$10,000Education-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Children's Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
LEARN Charter School Network
$10,000Education-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Education-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Chicago History Museum
$10,000Cultural & Civic-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
Medical-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.
First Tee of Greater Chicago
$10,000General Welfare-To aid in achieving the exempt purpose of the various donee organizations.