The Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation concentrates its support on Christian faith-based institutions in the Chicago / Northwest Indiana region, with a strong emphasis on K–12 and postsecondary Christian education and facility/capital needs. Grants favor capital campaigns, debt reduction, program facilities and shelter services run by Christian ministries, indicating the foundation prioritizes long-term infrastructure and operational stability for faith-based providers. The foundation gives a small number of relatively large awards rather than many small grants, targeting mission-aligned organizations that serve local communities.
A defining feature of the Nicholas Leep & Hilda Leep Foundation is its repeated use of large, purpose-specific grants for Christian education and faith-based services in the Chicago / Northwest Indiana area. In 2024, it made $320,000 awards to Elim Christian Services for Kamp Cottage, Illiana Christian High School for a capital campaign, and Highland Christian School for debt reduction. That pattern points to a funder that backs facilities, financial stabilization, and long-term program capacity rather than short-term project grants. The foundation’s recent grant list also shows support for Christian higher education and community ministry. Trinity Christian College received $200,000 for a capital campaign, while Roseland Christian Ministries received $200,000 for its women’s shelter. Other grants support schools, ministries, and services tied to Christian mission and local community care. The overall picture is of a regional funder working through a small number of substantial awards, with recurring attention to educational infrastructure, shelter services, and ministry operations.
Christian education is a central theme in the foundation’s giving. Chicago Westside Christian School received $200,000 for a diverse learning program, showing support for school-based services tied to student needs. Highland Christian School received $320,000 for debt reduction, and Illiana Christian High School received $320,000 for a capital campaign, both of which point to infrastructure and financial support for K–12 Christian schooling. The foundation also funds faith-based service organizations. Roseland Christian Ministries received $200,000 for a women’s shelter, and Elim Christian Services received $320,000 for Kamp Cottage. Additional grants to World Renew for its general fund and Wycliffe Bible Translators for general fund support show an interest in broader Christian ministry and outreach beyond school settings.
The typical grant size is modest relative to the foundation’s larger awards, with a p25 of $4,000, a median of $5,500, and a p75 of $10,000. The recent list shows a mix of high-value, purpose-restricted grants and many smaller general fund awards. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including World Renew, Every Child Ministries, Chicago Westside Christian School, Roseland Christian Ministries, Lifeline Youth Ministries, and Strategic Christian Ministries, indicating repeated relationships rather than one-time gifts. The foundation is not a DAF, does not fund individuals, and does not make program-related investments.
$1.8M
$0
$21K
$1.8M
Most grants fall between $4K and $10K, with a median of $6K.
25th Percentile
$4K
Median
$6K
75th Percentile
$10K
About 27% of grants go to recipients in IL.
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Concentrated giving: a small number of large grants (six grants totaling $1.56M) focused on capital and operational stability for Christian organizations in a specific geographic area; not broad or highly diversified.
Notable grantees: Elim Christian Services, Highland Christian School, Illiana Christian High School, Trinity Christian College, Roseland Christian Ministries
Grant recipients are concentrated in the Chicago / Northwest Indiana corridor, with Illinois as the top state by grant count and 27% of grants going to recipients in Indiana. Chicago appears repeatedly, including awards to Chicago Westside Christian School, Roseland Christian Ministries, Strategic Christian Ministries, Provision Theater, and Cornerstone Academy. Other frequent recipient locations include Lansing, Palos Heights, Crestwood, Hammond, and Highland. Outside that core area, the foundation also gives to recipients in Michigan, Florida, and Indiana, but all grants in the file are to U.S. organizations.
Its recent grants center on Christian schools, Christian higher education, and faith-based service organizations. Examples include Illiana Christian High School, Trinity Christian College, Roseland Christian Ministries, and Elim Christian Services. The purposes attached to grants include capital campaigns, debt reduction, women’s shelter services, and general fund support.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $4,000 at the 25th percentile, $5,500 at the median, and $10,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent list also includes larger awards such as $200,000 and $320,000 for specific capital, shelter, and educational needs.
Yes. Several recipients show up across multiple years, including World Renew, Every Child Ministries, Chicago Westside Christian School, Roseland Christian Ministries, Lifeline Youth Ministries, and Strategic Christian Ministries. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships with selected organizations.
Illinois is the top state by grant count, and many recipient cities are in the Chicago / Northwest Indiana area. Chicago appears several times, along with Lansing, Palos Heights, Crestwood, and other nearby communities. Indiana recipients make up 27% of grants.
Purpose labels include capital campaign, debt reduction, general fund, women’s shelter, diverse learning program, and Kamp Cottage. The pattern shows support for facilities and financial stabilization alongside direct program and ministry support.
2024
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2024.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILLIANA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL | LANSING, IL | $320,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| ELIM CHRISTIAN SERVICES | CRESTWOOD, IL | $320,000 | 2024 | KAMP COTTAGE |
| HIGHLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | HIGHLAND, IN | $320,000 | 2024 | DEBT REDUCATION |
| TRINITY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE | PALOS HEIGHTS, IL | $200,000 | 2024 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN |
| CHICAGO WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2024 | DIVERSE LEARNING PROGRAM |
| ROSELAND CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2024 | WOMENS SHELTER |
| WORLD RENEW | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $16,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL | CAROL STREAM, IL | $15,000 | 2024 | GENRAL FUNDA |
| STRATEGIC CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES | CHICAGO, IL | $12,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| LIFELINE YOUTH MINISTRIES | ELKHART, IN | $12,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| PROVISON THEATER | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| EVERY CHILD MINISTRIES | HEBRON, IN | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| LOVE INC | GRIFFITH, IN | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| HEARTS IN MOTION | HIGHLAND, IN | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS | ORLANDO, FL | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| RIVER OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | BENTON HARBOR, MI | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| DONKA INC | WHEATON, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| LIFE PLAN | NILES, MI | $8,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ASSOC | WATERVLIET, MI | $8,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| CORNERSTONE ACADEMY | CHICAGO, IL | $8,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| NEW LEAF RESOURCES | LANSING, IL | $8,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| HAMMOND CHRISTIAN REFORM CHURCH | HAMMOND, IN | $8,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| SYLVIA'S PLACE | ALLEGAN, MI | $7,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| THE SALVATION ARMY | MUNSTER, IN | $6,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| WMBI RADIO | CHICAGO, IL | $4,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| BETHSHAN VILLAGE | PALOS HEIGHTS, IL | $4,000 | 2024 | BUILDING FUND |
| PINE REST FOUNDATION | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $4,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| BIBLE LEAGUE | CRETE, IL | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| HOME PLATE YOUTH SERVICES | HILLSBORO, OR | $2,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| GUIDEONS | NASHVILLE, TN | $2,000 | 2024 | BIBLE DISTRIBUTION |
| HIGHLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY | HIGHLAND, IN | $1,000 | 2024 | GENERAL FUND |
| EVERY CHILD MINISTRIES | HEBRON, IN | $10,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| WORLD RENEW | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $8,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| CHICAGO WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $7,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| ROSELAND CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES | CHICAGO, IL | $7,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| LIFELINE YOUTH MINISTRIES | ELKHART, IN | $6,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| STRATEGIC CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES | CHICAGO, IL | $6,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| HEARTS IN MOTION | HIGHLAND, IN | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| LOVE INC | GRIFFITH, IN | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| DONKA INC | WHEATON, IL | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| CORNERSTONE ACADEMY | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| PROVISON THEATER | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| HIGHLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | HIGHLAND, IN | $5,000 | 2023 | BUILDING FUND |
| RIVER OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL | BENTON HARBOR, MI | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| ILLIANA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL | LANSING, IL | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS | ORLANDO, FL | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| ELIM CHRISTIAN SERVICES | CRESTWOOD, IL | $5,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| GRACE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ASSOC | WATERVLIET, MI | $4,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| HAMMOND CHRISTIAN REFORM CHURCH | HAMMOND, IN | $4,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
| NEW LEAF RESOURCES | LANSING, IL | $4,000 | 2023 | GENERAL FUND |
ILLIANA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
$320,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
HIGHLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$320,000DEBT REDUCATION
TRINITY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE
$200,000CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
CHICAGO WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$200,000DIVERSE LEARNING PROGRAM
ROSELAND CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
$200,000WOMENS SHELTER
OPPORTUNITY INTERNATIONAL
$15,000GENRAL FUNDA
STRATEGIC CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
$12,000GENERAL FUND
LIFELINE YOUTH MINISTRIES
$12,000GENERAL FUND
PROVISON THEATER
$10,000GENERAL FUND
EVERY CHILD MINISTRIES
$10,000GENERAL FUND
LOVE INC
$10,000GENERAL FUND
HEARTS IN MOTION
$10,000GENERAL FUND
WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS
$10,000GENERAL FUND
RIVER OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$10,000GENERAL FUND
DONKA INC
$10,000GENERAL FUND
LIFE PLAN
$8,000GENERAL FUND
GRACE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ASSOC
$8,000GENERAL FUND
CORNERSTONE ACADEMY
$8,000GENERAL FUND
NEW LEAF RESOURCES
$8,000GENERAL FUND
HAMMOND CHRISTIAN REFORM CHURCH
$8,000GENERAL FUND
SYLVIA'S PLACE
$7,000GENERAL FUND
THE SALVATION ARMY
$6,000GENERAL FUND
WMBI RADIO
$4,000GENERAL FUND
BETHSHAN VILLAGE
$4,000BUILDING FUND
BIBLE LEAGUE
$2,000GENERAL FUND
HOME PLATE YOUTH SERVICES
$2,000GENERAL FUND
GUIDEONS
$2,000BIBLE DISTRIBUTION
HIGHLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$1,000GENERAL FUND
EVERY CHILD MINISTRIES
$10,000GENERAL FUND
CHICAGO WESTSIDE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$7,000GENERAL FUND
ROSELAND CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
$7,000GENERAL FUND
STRATEGIC CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
$6,000GENERAL FUND
HEARTS IN MOTION
$5,000GENERAL FUND
LOVE INC
$5,000GENERAL FUND
DONKA INC
$5,000GENERAL FUND
CORNERSTONE ACADEMY
$5,000GENERAL FUND
PROVISON THEATER
$5,000GENERAL FUND
HIGHLAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$5,000BUILDING FUND
RIVER OF LIFE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
$5,000GENERAL FUND
ILLIANA CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL
$5,000GENERAL FUND
WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS
$5,000GENERAL FUND
GRACE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ASSOC
$4,000GENERAL FUND
HAMMOND CHRISTIAN REFORM CHURCH
$4,000GENERAL FUND
NEW LEAF RESOURCES
$4,000GENERAL FUND