The Wonderful Life Foundation concentrates on large, mission-driven institutional philanthropy, primarily funding higher education, independent/private schools (many with Catholic or faith-based ties), and specialized medical rehabilitation research. Their gifts are often capital or endowment-focused and paid in multi-year installments, indicating a preference for transformational, long-term investments in established institutions rather than many small operating grants.
Wonderful Life Foundation’s recent grantmaking is defined by large, multi-year commitments to a small set of institutional partners. The biggest reported payment is a $4,167,000 installment to the University of Notre Dame for its six-part pledge schedule, alongside repeated million-dollar support for Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Catholic Extension, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, and Wofford College. Those awards point to a funder that favors long-horizon commitments rather than one-off awards. The foundation’s giving centers on Catholic and faith-linked higher education, private secondary education, and specialized medical rehabilitation. Notre Dame appears across multiple campaign and renovation purposes, while Shirley Ryan AbilityLab receives both campaign funding and general support. Other grants show a similar pattern of backing institutions with capital, endowment, or operating needs. Recent awards also include support for church-based projects and scholarship funds, which broadens the picture beyond campus construction. Across the top grants, the foundation’s approach is steady and relationship-driven: recurring payments, multi-year pledges, and repeated support to the same institutions over several years. That pattern is visible in the repeated installments to Notre Dame, Central Presbyterian Church, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, and Wofford College.
Catholic and faith-based higher education is a major theme. The foundation gave $4,167,000 to the University of Notre Dame as payment 1 of 6, and it also backed the school’s McKenna Hall Renovation Campaign with $3,000,000. Medical rehabilitation is another clear priority. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab received $4,000,000 for the Accelerate Ability Campaign in 2025, after prior support of $4,000,000 in 2023 and $4,000,000 in 2024. Private secondary education appears in the grants to Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, including $2,000,000 for general support in 2023 and additional million-dollar awards in later years. The foundation also supports scholarship funding. A $400,000 grant to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was designated for The Phoebe Carolina Covenant Scholarship Fund.
Wonderful Life Foundation’s typical grant size is $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $200,000 at the 75th percentile, but its recent grants also include many much larger commitments. The pattern is not a scattershot one: the same institutions recur across multiple years, often with installment language such as payment 1 of 5 or payment 3 of 5. That points to pledged, multi-year support rather than isolated awards. The funder is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it funds individuals as well as institutions. Program-related investments are not part of the profile.
$24.7M
$23.6M
$24.1M
$25M
Most grants fall between $25K and $200K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$200K
About 11% of grants go to recipients in IL.
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Highly concentrated giving with a small number of very large grants; frequent multi‑installment payments to repeat, institutional grantees; emphasis on capital/endowment and campaign-style gifts rather than broad, dispersed small grants.
Notable grantees: University of Notre Dame, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Catholic Extension, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, Wofford College
Grantmaking is national, and every listed recipient is in the United States. Illinois is the top state by grant count, with Chicago, Lake Forest, and multiple grants to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, Catholic Extension, and Northwestern Kellogg School of Management. Other repeated destinations include Notre Dame and South Bend in Indiana, plus New York City for Central Presbyterian Church. Florida is the headquarters state, but 16% of grants go there, so it is not the main giving state.
Recent grants show a strong tilt toward higher education, especially Catholic and faith-linked institutions, along with private secondary schools and specialized medical rehabilitation organizations. The largest named recipients include the University of Notre Dame, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Catholic Extension, Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart, and Wofford College.
Yes. Several grants are labeled as installment payments, including a $4,167,000 payment 1 of 6 to the University of Notre Dame, a $4,000,000 payment 3 of 5 to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, and a $2,000,000 payment 1 of 5 to Wofford College. The recurring payment language appears across multiple years.
The distribution centers around mid-sized institutional grants: $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $200,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also shows several million-dollar awards, so the foundation’s largest commitments are much larger than the median.
Illinois is the top state by grant count. Recent Illinois recipients include Chicago-based Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Catholic Extension, and Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, plus Lake Forest-based Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart.
No. The foundation gives nationally, with recipients in multiple states including Illinois, Indiana, New York, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The recipient country distribution is entirely U.S.-based in the provided data.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME | NOTRE DAME, IN | $4,167,000 | 2025 | PAYMENT 1 OF 6 |
| SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB | CHICAGO, IL | $4,000,000 | 2025 | ACCELERATE ABILITY CAMPAIGN - PAYMENT 3 OF 5 |
| CATHOLIC EXTENSION | CHICAGO, IL | $3,000,000 | 2025 | ENDOWMENT TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT |
| WOFFORD COLLEGE | SPARTANBURG, SC | $2,000,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL CAMPAIGN - PAYMENT 1 OF 5 |
| CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | NEW YORK, NY | $1,160,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT - PAYMENT 5 OF 5 |
| NORTHWESTERN KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000,000 | 2025 | PAYMENT 1 OF 5 |
| WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART | LAKE FOREST, IL | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART | LAKE FOREST, IL | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART | LAKE FOREST, IL | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART | LAKE FOREST, IL | $1,000,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | NEW YORK, NY | $1,000,000 | 2025 | RESOUND PROJECT - PAYMENT 3 OF 5 |
| UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $400,000 | 2025 | THE PHOEBE CAROLINA COVENANT SCHOLARSHIP FUND - PAYMENT 3 OF 5 |
| ST PATRICKS CATHEDRAL | CHICAGO, IL | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES INC | CHICAGO, IL | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT - PAYMENT 5 OF 5 |
| SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB | CHICAGO, IL | $250,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK | COLLEGE PARK, MD | $200,000 | 2025 | REYES ENDOWED CHAIRS IN ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - PAYMENT 2 OF 5 |
| JAZZ AT ASPEN SNOWMASS | ASPEN, CO | $200,000 | 2025 | CAPITAL AND ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN - PAYMENT 3 OF 5 |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2025 | HAVEY INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH |
| SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2025 | ART IN MOTION |
| BIG SHOULDERS FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $180,000 | 2025 | PAYMENT 2 OF 5 |
| THE EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION | GLENVIEW, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | CAVES VALLEY EVANS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP - PAYMENT 4 OF 10 |
| BRIDGING BIONICS FOUNDATION | BASALT, CO | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JUPITER MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MARGARET HACKETT FAMILY CENTER NFP | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT - PAYMENT 5 OF 5 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF MARTIN COUNTY | HOBE SOUND, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| KIPP MIAMI | MIAMI, FL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CATHOLIC EXTENSION | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT - PAYMENT 4 OF 5 |
| THE EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION | GLENVIEW, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | KEISER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - PAYMENT 2 OF 5 |
| NORTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION | LOUISVILLE, KY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ACCESS LIVING | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CLEARBROOK - SHINING STAR BALL | ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | SHINING STAR BALL |
| ACCELERATE INSTITUTE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL | CINCINNATI, OH | $50,000 | 2025 | FOREVER DE CHANTAL GENERAL CAMPAIGN |
| SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB | CHICAGO, IL | $40,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART CHICAGO | DETROIT, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| GATEWAY FOR CANCER RESEARCH | SCHAUMBURG, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ANDERSON RANCH ARTS CENTER | SNOWMASS VILLAGE, CO | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE | NW WASHINGTON, DC | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY | TINLEY PARK, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| OLD ELM SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | 2024 ANNUAL APPEAL |
| ST PATRICK CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PATRICK CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PATRICK CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PATRICK CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PATRICK CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PATRICK CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PATRICK CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PATRICK CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ST PATRICK CHURCH | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME
$4,167,000PAYMENT 1 OF 6
CATHOLIC EXTENSION
$3,000,000ENDOWMENT TO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT
CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$1,160,000GENERAL SUPPORT - PAYMENT 5 OF 5
NORTHWESTERN KELLOGG SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT
$1,000,000PAYMENT 1 OF 5
WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
WOODLANDS ACADEMY OF THE SACRED HEART
$1,000,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$1,000,000RESOUND PROJECT - PAYMENT 3 OF 5
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
$400,000THE PHOEBE CAROLINA COVENANT SCHOLARSHIP FUND - PAYMENT 3 OF 5
ST PATRICKS CATHEDRAL
$250,000GENERAL SUPPORT
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND COLLEGE PARK
$200,000REYES ENDOWED CHAIRS IN ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - PAYMENT 2 OF 5
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
$200,000HAVEY INSTITUTE FOR GLOBAL HEALTH
SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB
$200,000ART IN MOTION
THE EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION
$100,000CAVES VALLEY EVANS SCHOLARS SCHOLARSHIP - PAYMENT 4 OF 10
KIPP MIAMI
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CATHOLIC EXTENSION
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT - PAYMENT 4 OF 5
THE EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION
$100,000KEISER SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - PAYMENT 2 OF 5
NORTON CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
$100,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ACCESS LIVING
$50,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL
$50,000FOREVER DE CHANTAL GENERAL CAMPAIGN
UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
OLD ELM SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
$5,0002024 ANNUAL APPEAL
ST PATRICK CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PATRICK CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PATRICK CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PATRICK CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PATRICK CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PATRICK CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PATRICK CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PATRICK CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT
ST PATRICK CHURCH
$1,000GENERAL SUPPORT