The Walter and Karla Goldschmidt Foundation makes a small number of large, unrestricted gifts to local Chicago-area institutions that serve basic needs and civic life. Recent grants show a clear interest in supporting food/nutrition services for vulnerable populations and sustaining local public media. Their giving appears community-focused and pragmatic, funding operating needs rather than capital projects.
Very concentrated giving: few (two) large, unrestricted grants of equal size to distinct local institutions. Emphasis on one-time sizable operating support rather than many small grants or long grant portfolios.
Notable grantees: Food & Friends, Chicago Public Media
WALTER AND KARLA GOLDSCHMIDT FOUNDATION is based in GLENCOE, IL. It reported $3,118,850 in annual grants and $43,956,243 in total assets on its latest 990 filing year on file, 2026. The foundation gives nationally, but its grantmaking is concentrated in Illinois, which accounts for 44% of grants and is the state where it gives most often. Recent grants show a pattern of support for Chicago-area institutions, especially organizations connected to food and nutritional support, local public media, and community-serving nonprofits. Named recent grantees include NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, which received $253,500 in 2026 and $208,025 in 2025; FOOD & FRIENDS, which received $250,000 in 2025 and $250,000 in 2026; and CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA, which received $250,000 in 2023, $200,000 in 2024, and $200,000 in 2025. Other large recent grants went to GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY, WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN STLOUIS, and COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO. The foundation is a regular funder and does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
Recent grantmaking spans meal delivery and nutritional support for homebound or medically vulnerable residents, local public media and journalism, and general operating support for community-serving nonprofits in the Chicago region. Notable grants include $250,000 to FOOD & FRIENDS in both 2025 and 2026, $250,000 to CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA in 2023, and $200,000 to GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY in 2026. The foundation also gave $100,000 to WRITERS THEATRE in 2025 and $105,000 to FOOD ANIMALS CONCERNS TRUST in 2024.
WALTER AND KARLA GOLDSCHMIDT FOUNDATION makes relatively large grants compared with its overall pattern of giving, with a p25 of $1,000, a median grant of $3,000, and a p75 of $25,000. The recent grants list shows repeated support to the same recipients across multiple years, including CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA, NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY, and WRITERS THEATRE. Grants are made to organizations rather than individuals. The foundation is listed as a regular funder and does not make program-related investments.
$3.1M
$44M
$11.2M
$3.5M
Most grants fall between $1K and $25K, with a median of $3K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$3K
75th Percentile
$25K
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WALTER AND KARLA GOLDSCHMIDT FOUNDATION gives nationally, but its grantmaking is concentrated in Illinois. Illinois is the top state by grant count, and 44% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent grants also went to recipients in Washington, DC, Missouri, and California. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, with 508 grants, or 100.0%, going to U.S. recipients.
The provided data does not state whether WALTER AND KARLA GOLDSCHMIDT FOUNDATION accepts unsolicited applications. It is identified as a regular funder, but no application process details are included in the data.
Recent grantmaking spans meal delivery and nutritional support, local public media and journalism, and general operating support for community-serving nonprofits in the Chicago region. Recent examples include FOOD & FRIENDS, CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA, GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY, and WRITERS THEATRE.
The typical grant size data shows a p25 of $1,000, a median of $3,000, and a p75 of $25,000. Recent individual grants are often much larger, including $253,500 to NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY and $250,000 to FOOD & FRIENDS.
The foundation is headquartered in GLENCOE, IL and gives nationally. Illinois is the state where it gives most often, and 44% of grants go to recipients in Illinois. Recent grants also went to recipients in Washington, DC, Missouri, and California.
Recent grantees include NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, FOOD & FRIENDS, CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA, GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY, WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN STLOUIS, COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO, PROJECT LIFELINE, WRITERS THEATRE, and HYDE PARK ART CENTER. The amounts range from $85,000 to $253,500 in the recent grants list provided.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $253,500 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| FOOD & FRIENDS | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN STLOUIS | ST LOUIS, MO | $175,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| WRITERS THEATRE | GLENCOE, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| HYDE PARK ART CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $85,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| SABEW | PHOENIX, AZ | $83,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| PRITZKER COLLEGE PREP | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| ROGER BALDWIN FOUNDATION OF ACLU INC | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN | GLENCOE, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| INJUSTICE WATCH | CHICAGO, IL | $70,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | CHICAGO, IL | $65,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $56,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| PROJECT LIFELINE | GLENCOE, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| UTMOSTU | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| CHAPTER ONE NFP | ODESSA, FL | $50,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| FOOD ANIMALS CONCERNS TRUST | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| PREPARE KIDS FOR LIFE | PORT HUENEME, CA | $50,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| ADVANCE ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $45,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| RAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $45,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| MOUNT SHASTA BIOREGIONAL ECOLOGY CENTER | MOUNT SHASTA, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| ARRUPE COLLEGE OF LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $40,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER OXNARD & PORT HUENEME | OXNARD, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER VENTURA | VENTURA, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SANTA CLARA VALLEY | SANTA PAULA, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| JOURNALISM DEVELOPMENT NETWORK | WASHINGTON, DC | $35,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF URBAN DEBATE LEAGUES | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| SCOTTSDALE ARTS | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $30,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| FRACTURED ATLAS | HARTSDALE, NY | $30,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| THE SELFHELP HOME | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| ADOPTION CENTER OF ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| THE AMERICAN RED CROSS OF GREATER CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| EXPERIMENTAL SOUND STUDIO | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| CAPITAL AREA FOOD BANK | WASHINGTON, DC | $21,500 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| THE UCLA FOUNDATION | PASADENA, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| MILLENNIUM FILM JOURNAL | NEW YORK, NY | $20,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| THE CREATIVE ARTS GUILD | DALTON, GA | $20,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| MAHARISHI INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY | FAIRFIELD, IA | $11,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| DESCENDANTS MEDIA GROUP NFP INC | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| INLET DANCE THEATRE | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| NETWORK FOR TEACHING ENTREPRENEURSHIP | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| HARRIS THEATER | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| NORTH LAWNDALE COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
| STUDENT EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION | WHEATON, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED |
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY
$200,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN STLOUIS
$175,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
WRITERS THEATRE
$100,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
SABEW
$83,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
PRITZKER COLLEGE PREP
$75,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN
$75,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
PROJECT LIFELINE
$50,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
UTMOSTU
$50,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO
$50,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
FOOD ANIMALS CONCERNS TRUST
$50,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
PREPARE KIDS FOR LIFE
$50,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART
$50,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
RAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION
$45,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
MOUNT SHASTA BIOREGIONAL ECOLOGY CENTER
$40,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER VENTURA
$40,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF URBAN DEBATE LEAGUES
$35,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
THE SELFHELP HOME
$30,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
ADOPTION CENTER OF ILLINOIS
$30,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
THE AMERICAN RED CROSS OF GREATER CHICAGO
$30,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
MILLENNIUM FILM JOURNAL
$20,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
THE CREATIVE ARTS GUILD
$20,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
$20,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
DESCENDANTS MEDIA GROUP NFP INC
$10,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
INLET DANCE THEATRE
$10,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
HARRIS THEATER
$10,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
NORTH LAWNDALE COLLEGE PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL
$10,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED
STUDENT EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION
$10,000ACTIVITIES OF THE ORGANIZATION TO WHICH MONEY WAS DONATED