The Peter & Paula Fasseas Foundation concentrates its giving on a very small set of large, unrestricted operating grants, with a dominant focus on Chicago-area animal welfare and independent/private education. The foundation makes sizable, flexible gifts (including repeat support) to organizations that provide direct services and institutional sustainability rather than project-specific funding. Its portfolio reflects philanthropic priorities in animal rescue/placement and support for private secondary and faith-based primary education.
Highly concentrated giving: very few, large unrestricted grants with repeat support to flagship grantees; majority of funds funneled to one primary organization (PAWS Chicago).
Peter & Paula Fasseas Foundation C/o Paula Fasseas is marked by unusually large unrestricted operating gifts to a small set of nonprofits, with Paws Chicago receiving the biggest recent award at $2,661,280 in 2025 and a prior $2,132,284 grant in 2023. That pattern points to a funder that favors flexible support for organizations rather than tightly targeted project funding. The foundation’s recent grants also show repeated support for Chicago City Day School, Culver Academies, and several animal-welfare groups, including Big Dog Ranch Rescue and Unconditional Rescue. Across the portfolio, the foundation appears to back institutions that provide direct services and long-term stability: animal rescue and sheltering, independent and faith-based education, and select community organizations. Its grants are almost entirely made as unrestricted general operating support, which gives recipients room to cover core costs. The mix of major awards and repeat gifts suggests a deliberate emphasis on sustaining organizations over time, especially those serving Chicago and other Midwest-linked communities. Recent gifts also extend to religious and education-related nonprofits, showing that the foundation’s support is not limited to one single subsector.
Animal welfare is the clearest theme in the foundation’s giving. Beyond Paws Chicago, it gave $35,000 to Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee Groves, Florida, and $10,000 to Garrido Stray Rescue Foundation in Chicago, both as unrestricted general operating support. Education is another major area. The foundation gave $500,000 to Culver Academies in Culver, Indiana, and $350,500 to Chicago City Day School in Chicago, both unrestricted. It also made a $75,000 grant to the James P Sfarnas Hellenic Studies Scholarship Endowment in Tucson, Arizona. Religious and community organizations also appear in the portfolio. Grants include $30,710 to Annunciation & St Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church in New Buffalo, Michigan, $15,000 to Orthodox Christian Laity in West Palm Beach, Florida, and $10,000 to Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church in Palatine, Illinois.
The foundation’s grant sizes cluster around modest-to-midrange operating gifts, with a typical grant size of p25 $10,000, median $11,300, and p75 $45,178. The distribution is highly skewed by a few very large awards, especially the multi-million-dollar support for Paws Chicago. Recent grants show repeat support across years for several recipients, including Paws Chicago, Culver Academies, Chicago City Day School, Lurie Cancer Center, Unconditional Rescue, and Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center Foundation. The foundation is not a donor-advised fund and does not make program-related investments; the giving shown here is institutional, nonprofit support.
$2.9M
$49M
$5.3M
$3.6M
Most grants fall between $10K and $45K, with a median of $11K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$11K
75th Percentile
$45K
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Notable grantees: PAWS Chicago, Culver Academies, Chicago City Day School
The foundation gives regionally, with 64% of grants going to recipients in its headquarters state of Illinois. Chicago is the main recipient city, appearing across animal welfare, education, health, and civic grants. Other Illinois recipients include Palatine, Murphysboro, La Grange, and Highland Park. Outside Illinois, grants also reached Culver, Indiana; Tucson, Arizona; Loxahatchee Groves, Florida; Laguna Beach, California; Wilmington, Delaware; and New Buffalo, Michigan. All recent grants in the data went to U.S. recipients.
Its recent grants go mainly to animal welfare organizations, independent and faith-based schools, and selected community or religious nonprofits. The largest awards in the data went to Paws Chicago, Culver Academies, and Chicago City Day School, all as unrestricted general operating support.
Yes. Every listed recent grant is described as unrestricted general operating support. That includes major awards such as $2,661,280 to Paws Chicago and $500,000 to Culver Academies, as well as smaller grants to local nonprofits.
Several recipients appear more than once in the recent grants list, including Paws Chicago, Culver Academies, Chicago City Day School, Lurie Cancer Center, Unconditional Rescue, and Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center Foundation. That pattern suggests multi-year support rather than one-time gifts.
The grant-size distribution centers on relatively small to mid-sized gifts: p25 is $10,000, median is $11,300, and p75 is $45,178. The distribution is pulled upward by a few large operating grants, especially the seven-figure support to Paws Chicago.
Illinois is the top recipient state, accounting for 64% of grants. Chicago is the most common recipient city, and the broader recent-giving list also includes other Illinois locations such as Palatine, Murphysboro, La Grange, and Highland Park.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAWS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $2,661,280 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CULVER ACADEMIES | CULVER, IN | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LURIE CANCER CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BIG DOG RANCH RESCUE | LOXAHATCHEE GROVES, FL | $35,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WINGS PROGRAM INC | PALATINE, IL | $34,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| TUCSON WILDLIFE CENTER | TUCSON, AZ | $28,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO CITY DAY SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $11,400 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ABOVE AND BEYOND FAMILY RECOVERY CENTER FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNCONDITIONAL RESCUE | LAGUNA BEACH, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ANNUNCIATION & ST PARASKEVI GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH | NEW BUFFALO, MI | $3,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WTTW | CHICAGO, IL | $2,508 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMICI CANNIS | FORT COLLINS, CO | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YMCA FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA | TUCSON, AZ | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AUSTIN PETS ALIVE | AUSTIN, TX | $2,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PAWS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $2,196,400 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ASSISTANCE DOGS OF HAWAII | MAKAWAO, HI | $30,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION | TUCSON, AZ | $25,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF CHICAGO ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INNERSCIENCE RESEARCH FUND | YELM, WA | $10,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WINGS PROGRAM INC | PALATINE, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HIPPOCRATIC CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ANNUNCIATION & ST PARASKEVI GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH | NEW BUFFALO, MI | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALBERT'S DOG LOUNGE | WHITEWATER, WI | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NOURISHING HOPE | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UATX | AUSTIN, TX | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CAPLA | TUCSON, AZ | $5,000 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WILMOT CANCER INSTITUTE | ROCHESTER, NY | $2,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AUSTIN PETS ALIVE | AUSTIN, TX | $2,500 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| FAMILY MATTERS INC | CHICAGO, IL | $1,400 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CATALINA HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION | TUCSON, AZ | $1,195 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALS ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $1,030 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ST CHRYSOSTOM'S DAY SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $570 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WESTMORELAND COUNTRY CLUB SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION | WILMETTE, IL | $350 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HELLENIC CULTURAL FOUNDATION | TUCSON, AZ | $300 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HYDE PARK DAY SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $150 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SHATTERPROOF | NORWALK, CT | $150 | 2024 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| PAWS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $2,132,284 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CULVER ACADEMIES | CULVER, IN | $500,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO CITY DAY SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $350,500 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JAMES P SFARNAS HELLENIC STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT | TUCSON, AZ | $75,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| LURIE CANCER CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CITY OF HOPE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ANNUNCIATION & ST PARASKEVI GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH | NEW BUFFALO, MI | $30,710 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS | MURPHYSBORO, IL | $25,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| WINGS PROGRAM INC | PALATINE, IL | $20,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNCONDITIONAL RESCUE | LAGUNA BEACH, CA | $15,000 | 2023 | UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
CULVER ACADEMIES
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LURIE CANCER CENTER
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY
$15,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UNCONDITIONAL RESCUE
$10,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CHURCH OF THE HOLY FAMILY
$5,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ANNUNCIATION & ST PARASKEVI GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
$3,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WTTW
$2,508UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMICI CANNIS
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
YMCA FOUNDATION OF SOUTHERN ARIZONA
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
FRIENDS OF CHICAGO ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL
$20,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
INNERSCIENCE RESEARCH FUND
$10,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HIPPOCRATIC CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$5,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ANNUNCIATION & ST PARASKEVI GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
$5,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ALBERT'S DOG LOUNGE
$5,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CAPLA
$5,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WILMOT CANCER INSTITUTE
$2,500UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CATALINA HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION
$1,195UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ST CHRYSOSTOM'S DAY SCHOOL
$570UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
WESTMORELAND COUNTRY CLUB SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
$350UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HELLENIC CULTURAL FOUNDATION
$300UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CULVER ACADEMIES
$500,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
JAMES P SFARNAS HELLENIC STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
$75,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
LURIE CANCER CENTER
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CITY OF HOPE
$50,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ANNUNCIATION & ST PARASKEVI GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
$30,710UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
$25,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
UNCONDITIONAL RESCUE
$15,000UNRESTRICTED GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT