The Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation makes a small number of very large, unrestricted grants focused on health and human services, animal welfare, and international philanthropic partnerships. They favor operational support for established organizations — including medical institutions and research funders, regional animal rescue, and specialized program providers — and appear comfortable funding both domestic service delivery and cross-border grantmaking intermediaries.
Highly concentrated giving: very few, large unrestricted grants; several multi‑million-dollar gifts; some repeat support to the same organizations; primarily operational/program support rather than project‑restricted funding.
A single $5,493,500 grant to Big Sky Bravery in 2025 signals the Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation’s style: very large, unrestricted awards for operating and program costs. Across the recent grant list, the foundation repeatedly backs established organizations rather than small one-off projects, with support moving into health, human services, animal welfare, and intermediary philanthropy. The pattern includes major commitments to Paws Chicago in Chicago, V‑Foundation in Cary, and Maui Health in Wailuku, showing interest in both local service delivery and national or cross-sector causes. The foundation’s giving is not limited to one geography or one type of institution. Its grants reach medical and research organizations, shelter and rescue operations, trauma-recovery providers, and grantmaking intermediaries. Several recipients appear more than once across the list, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards. The grants also cluster around operating support language, indicating flexibility in how recipient organizations use the funds. With annual grants above $28 million and assets near $125 million, the foundation operates at a scale that allows for sizable commitments across multiple years.
In health and research, the foundation gave $1,780,455 in 2024 and $1,461,950 in 2025 to V‑Foundation, both for operational and program expenses. It also supported Maui Health with $1,028,707 in 2025, again for operating and program costs. Animal welfare is another visible thread. Paws Chicago received $2,206,638 in 2025 and $2,202,025 in 2024, each designated to support operational and program expenses. The foundation also funds intermediary and cross-border philanthropy. Myriad USA received $1,700,000 in 2025, and King Baudouin Foundation US received $1,260,000 in 2024, both for operational and program expenses. Human services and community programs appear as well, including Tanager Place in Cedar Rapids, which received $200,000 in 2024 and $200,000 in 2025.
Typical grants are large: the 25th percentile is $23,875, the median is $100,000, and the 75th percentile is $200,000. The recent list shows a small number of very large grants alongside many $200,000 awards, with repeated recipients appearing across multiple years. That repeat pattern is visible for several organizations in the recent grants table, indicating ongoing support rather than isolated one-time awards. The foundation is a regular funder and is not a DAF. Its grants are framed as operational and program support, including flexible and unrestricted funding.
$15.7M
$115.1M
$6.6M
$16.5M
Most grants fall between $24K and $200K, with a median of $100K.
25th Percentile
$24K
Median
$100K
75th Percentile
$200K
About 18% of grants go to recipients in IA.
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Notable grantees: Big Sky Bravery, V‑Foundation, PAWS Chicago, Maui Health, King Baudouin Foundation US
Grantmaking is national, with all recent grants in the United States. The top state by grant count is Colorado, while 16% of grants go to recipients in Illinois. Recent recipient cities include Chicago, Cedar Rapids, Denver, New Orleans, and Bozeman. The list also reaches Cary, Wailuku, Napa, and Washington, DC, showing a broad domestic spread rather than a single metro focus.
The recent grants point to health and human services, animal welfare, trauma recovery, and intermediary philanthropy. Recipients include medical and research organizations, shelter and rescue providers, and grantmaking intermediaries, with most awards labeled for operational and program expenses.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Paws Chicago, V‑Foundation, Big Sky Bravery, Maui Health, The Chosen and Dearly Loved Foundation, Napa Valley Festival Association, and Tanager Place. The repeated awards suggest ongoing relationships.
The grant-size distribution is large relative to many foundations: the 25th percentile is $23,875, the median is $100,000, and the 75th percentile is $200,000. The recent list also includes several multi-million-dollar awards above that range.
The top state by grant count is Colorado. Illinois is also a major recipient state, with 16% of grants going to recipients there. Recent recipient cities include Chicago, Cedar Rapids, Denver, Bozeman, and New Orleans.
Its recent awards are consistently described as support for operational and program expenses. The foundation is classified as a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not make program-related investments or grants to individuals.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Sky Bravery | Bozeman, MT | $5,047,507 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| PAWS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $2,552,600 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Auction NAPA Valley | St Helena, CA | $1,229,152 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Myriad USA Foundation | NEW YORK, NY | $1,200,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| V-FOUNDATION | CARY, NC | $1,100,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Maui Health Foundation | Wailuku, HI | $1,003,600 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Republic Guard | Chicago, IL | $1,000,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Boys & Girls Club of Chicago | Chicago, IL | $375,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| EMERIL LAGRASSE FOUNDATION | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $266,900 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CEDAR RAPIDS | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $205,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| WAYPOINT SERVICES | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $200,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| TANAGER PLACE | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $200,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Josiah Venture | Wheaton, ID | $150,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| MAUI ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER | KAHULUI, HI | $125,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Valley of the King Sanctuary & Retreat | Sharon, WI | $110,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Xavier High School Foundation | Cedar Rapids, IA | $105,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| ASSISTANT DOGS OF HAWAII | MAKAWAO, HI | $101,150 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| St Luke's Health Care Foundation | Wheaton, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| THE CHOSEN AND DEARLY LOVED FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $100,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Thrive Church | Manhattan, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Don't Ever Give Up | Cary, NC | $61,234 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| The Chicago Lighthouse | Chicago, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Chicago Academy for the Arts | Chicago, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| BARRINGTON CHILDREN'S CHARITIES | BARRINGTON, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Community Foundation of South Alabama | Mobile, AL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| French Institute-Alliance Francaise | New York, NY | $37,020 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center | Makawao, HI | $29,500 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| HOLIDAY HOME CAMP | WILLIAMS BAY, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| NATIONAL COUNCIL ON YOUTH LEADERSHIP | WEST IBERTY, IA | $25,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Haku Baldwin Center | Makawao, HI | $25,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Global Council on Youth Leadership | Milwaukee, WI | $25,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| William Guy Forbeck Research Foundation | Carbondale, CO | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Sarcoma Foundation of America | Damascus, MD | $10,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Cedar Valley Basketball Club | Cedar Falls, IA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| MAUI YOUTH RANCH | KULA, HI | $5,000 | 2026 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Big Sky Bravery | Bozeman, MT | $5,493,500 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| PAWS CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $2,206,638 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Myriad USA | NEW YORK, NY | $1,700,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| V-FOUNDATION | CARY, NC | $1,461,950 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Maui Health | Wailuku, HI | $1,028,707 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| THE CHOSEN AND DEARLY LOVED FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $750,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| NAPA VALLEY FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION | Napa, CA | $570,100 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| JUDICIAL WATCH | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| TANAGER PLACE | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $200,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| EMERIL LAGRASSE FOUNDATION | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $200,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| WAYPOINT SERVICES | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $200,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Fairfield Evergreen Cemetery Association | Fairfield, IA | $200,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CEDAR RAPIDS | CEDAR RAPIDS, IA | $200,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| FAIRFIELD ARTS AND CONVENTION CENTER | FAIRFIELD, IA | $150,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
| Big Dog Ranch (Fund in Need) | Loxahatchee Groves, FL | $140,000 | 2025 | TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES. |
TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
Republic Guard
$1,000,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
Valley of the King Sanctuary & Retreat
$110,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
Xavier High School Foundation
$105,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
THE CHOSEN AND DEARLY LOVED FOUNDATION
$100,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
Thrive Church
$100,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
BARRINGTON CHILDREN'S CHARITIES
$50,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
Hui No'eau Visual Arts Center
$29,500TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON YOUTH LEADERSHIP
$25,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
Haku Baldwin Center
$25,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
Global Council on Youth Leadership
$25,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
William Guy Forbeck Research Foundation
$10,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
Cedar Valley Basketball Club
$5,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
MAUI YOUTH RANCH
$5,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
Big Sky Bravery
$5,493,500TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
THE CHOSEN AND DEARLY LOVED FOUNDATION
$750,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
EMERIL LAGRASSE FOUNDATION
$200,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
Fairfield Evergreen Cemetery Association
$200,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
FAIRFIELD ARTS AND CONVENTION CENTER
$150,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.
Big Dog Ranch (Fund in Need)
$140,000TO SUPPORT OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAM EXPENSES.