The Negaunee Foundation concentrates its giving on major cultural and educational institutions in the Chicago region, providing large, restricted gifts to museums, performing arts organizations, and public gardens. Its grants are focused on high-profile cultural enrichment — science and natural history, classical music, outdoor festivals, and botanical institutions — rather than broad grassroots or social-service funding. The foundation tends to support marquee projects or program-restricted uses for well-established organizations.
Highly concentrated: very few but large grants, often restricted in purpose; repeats support to flagship cultural institutions in the Chicago area rather than dispersed small grants.
A $7.8 million restricted grant to the Field Museum stands out in the Negaunee Foundation’s recent giving and sets the tone for its portfolio: large, use-limited support for established cultural institutions. The foundation’s recent grants repeatedly back major Chicago-area organizations in science, music, and the arts, with recurring awards to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ravinia Festival, and Chicago Botanic Garden. Its pattern is not broad-based community philanthropy; instead, it concentrates on prominent institutions that already play a visible regional role. Recent awards also show that the foundation supports both operating and project-linked needs when labeled accordingly, including unrestricted support for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Merit School of Music. Grants to WTTW - Network Chicago, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Openlands, and the Music Institute of Chicago point to a portfolio built around cultural programming, education, and public-facing enrichment. The scale is substantial: individual grants in the recent list range from seven-figure awards down to smaller but still material gifts, and the foundation gives repeatedly to the same organizations across multiple years.
The Negaunee Foundation’s giving centers on cultural and educational institutions with long public missions. In natural history and science, it gave $7.8 million to Field Museum for restricted use, followed by a $4.55 million restricted grant in 2025 and a $2.256 million restricted grant in 2023. Music is another major line of support. The foundation awarded $6.75 million to Chicago Symphony Orchestra for restricted use in 2024, then added unrestricted awards of $2.2 million in 2023, $1.15 million in 2024, and $700,000 in 2023. Public gardens and environmental programming also receive sustained backing. Chicago Botanic Garden received $3.75 million in 2024, $2.86 million in 2025, and $2.4 million in 2023, all restricted. Openlands was funded with $1.06 million in 2025 and $1.05 million in 2024. The portfolio also includes arts education and media, such as a $1.225 million restricted grant to Merit School of Music and a $1.65 million restricted grant to WTTW - Network Chicago.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $150,000 at the 75th percentile, though its recent awards include much larger seven-figure grants. The grant list shows repeated support to the same organizations across multiple years, including several multi-year patterns for museums, orchestras, and botanical institutions. The Negaunee Foundation is a regular funder rather than a donor-advised fund, and it does not fund individuals. Recent awards include both restricted and unrestricted grants, with restricted use appearing more frequently in the recent list.
$33.8M
$615.6M
$65.3M
$37.5M
Most grants fall between $10K and $150K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$150K
About 67% of grants go to recipients in IL.
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Notable grantees: Field Museum, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Ravinia Festival (Ravina Festival), Chicago Botanic Garden
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly concentrated in Illinois, which accounts for 67% of grants, and the recent list is dominated by Chicago, Highland Park, Glencoe, Evanston, and Maywood. Chicago appears most often, including awards to the Field Museum, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, WTTW - Network Chicago, Merit School of Music, and Openlands. Outside Illinois, the recent list includes grants to The Colburn School in Los Angeles, California. All grants in the country distribution are to U.S. recipients.
Its recent grants focus on major cultural and educational institutions, especially museums, orchestras, performing arts organizations, botanical institutions, and related public media. The list includes repeated support for Chicago-area institutions such as museums, classical music groups, and public gardens.
Restricted grants appear most often in the recent list. The foundation also makes unrestricted awards, including support to Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Merit School of Music, and Music of the Baroque.
Its typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $50,000 at the median, and $150,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger awards in the millions of dollars.
Illinois is the top state by grant count, with 67% of grants going to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state. Recent Illinois recipients include organizations in Chicago, Highland Park, Glencoe, Evanston, and Maywood.
No. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RAVINA FESTIVAL | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $6,150,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED USE |
| FIELD MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $4,550,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED USE |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN | GLENCOE, IL | $2,860,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED USE |
| IL SAINT ANDREW SOCIETY | RIVERSIDE, IL | $2,500,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED USE |
| THE COLBURN SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $2,050,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED USE |
| WTTW - NETWORK CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $1,650,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED USE |
| LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $1,500,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED USE |
| OPENLANDS | CHICAGO, IL | $1,060,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED |
| MERIT SCHOOL OF MUSIC | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO | EVANSTON, IL | $1,000,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED USE |
| LOYOLA MEDICINE | Maywood, IL | $750,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED |
| Music of the Baroque | Chicago, IL | $650,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| MERIT SCHOOL OF MUSIC | CHICAGO, IL | $550,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| ANTIOCH COLLEGE | YELLOW SPRINGS, OH | $500,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED |
| CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | CHICAGO, IL | $400,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST | Chicago, IL | $400,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED USE |
| TREEPEOPLE | BEVERLY HILLS, CA | $350,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $330,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED USE |
| VANDERCOOK COLLEGE OF MUSIC | Chicago, IL | $300,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE | ATLANTA, GA | $225,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED USE |
| Salvation Army | Chicago, IL | $200,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| ANTIOCH COLLEGE | YELLOW SPRINGS, OH | $200,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| AMER FOUND NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTL | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO | EVANSTON, IL | $200,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| Joffrey Ballet | Chicago, IL | $200,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| Nature Conservancy - Illinois | Chicago, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED USE |
| CHICAGO OPERA THEATER | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| AMER FOUND NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTL | New York, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED USE |
| Midwest Young Artists | Highwood, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| Institute for Justice | Arlington, VA | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| Pacific Legal Foundation | Sacramento, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| Illinois Policy Institute | Chicago, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| FREEDOM FOUNDATION | Olympia, WA | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED UES |
| CATO Institute | Washington, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN | NORTHBROOK, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FRIENDS OF THE WILDLIFE DISCOVERY | LAKE FOREST, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| United Negro College Fund Inc | Washington, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| AMERICANS FOR OXFORD INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED |
| JAMES B MORAN CENTER FOR YOUTH ADVO | EVANSTON, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| Peoples Music School | Chicago, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| THE COLBURN SCHOOL | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| AMERICANS FOR OXFORD INC | NEW YORK, NY | $90,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| CAMERATA CHICAGO ASSOCIATION | Wheaton, IL | $90,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| CHAPEL YORK FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| FIELD MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | UNRESTICTED USE |
| OPENLANDS | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED USE |
| LAKE FOREST OPEN LANDS ASSOCIATION | LAKE FOREST, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
| Cedille Chicago NFP | Chicago, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED USE |
| CHIARTS FOUNDATION | Chicago, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED |
RAVINA FESTIVAL
$6,150,000RESTRICTED USE
FIELD MUSEUM
$4,550,000RESTRICTED USE
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN
$2,860,000RESTRICTED USE
IL SAINT ANDREW SOCIETY
$2,500,000RESTRICTED USE
THE COLBURN SCHOOL
$2,050,000RESTRICTED USE
WTTW - NETWORK CHICAGO
$1,650,000RESTRICTED USE
LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO
RESTRICTED USE
OPENLANDS
$1,060,000RESTRICTED
MERIT SCHOOL OF MUSIC
$1,000,000UNRESTRICTED
MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
$1,000,000RESTRICTED USE
LOYOLA MEDICINE
$750,000RESTRICTED
Music of the Baroque
$650,000UNRESTRICTED USE
MERIT SCHOOL OF MUSIC
$550,000UNRESTRICTED USE
ANTIOCH COLLEGE
$500,000RESTRICTED
CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$400,000UNRESTRICTED USE
CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST
$400,000RESTRICTED USE
TREEPEOPLE
$350,000UNRESTRICTED USE
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
$330,000RESTRICTED USE
VANDERCOOK COLLEGE OF MUSIC
$300,000UNRESTRICTED USE
MUSIC OF THE BAROQUE
$225,000RESTRICTED USE
Salvation Army
$200,000UNRESTRICTED USE
ANTIOCH COLLEGE
$200,000UNRESTRICTED USE
AMER FOUND NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTL
$200,000UNRESTRICTED USE
MUSIC INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO
$200,000UNRESTRICTED USE
Joffrey Ballet
$200,000UNRESTRICTED
LYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO
$150,000UNRESTRICTED
Nature Conservancy - Illinois
$150,000RESTRICTED USE
CHICAGO OPERA THEATER
$100,000UNRESTRICTED USE
AMER FOUND NATIONAL MUSEUMS SCOTL
$100,000RESTRICTED USE
Midwest Young Artists
$100,000UNRESTRICTED USE
Institute for Justice
$100,000UNRESTRICTED USE
Pacific Legal Foundation
$100,000UNRESTRICTED USE
Illinois Policy Institute
$100,000UNRESTRICTED USE
FREEDOM FOUNDATION
$100,000UNRESTRICTED UES
CATO Institute
$100,000UNRESTRICTED USE
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
FRIENDS OF THE WILDLIFE DISCOVERY
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
United Negro College Fund Inc
$100,000UNRESTRICTED USE
AMERICANS FOR OXFORD INC
$100,000RESTRICTED
JAMES B MORAN CENTER FOR YOUTH ADVO
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
Peoples Music School
$100,000UNRESTRICTED USE
THE COLBURN SCHOOL
$100,000UNRESTRICTED
AMERICANS FOR OXFORD INC
$90,000UNRESTRICTED USE
CAMERATA CHICAGO ASSOCIATION
$90,000UNRESTRICTED
CHAPEL YORK FOUNDATION
$75,000UNRESTRICTED
FIELD MUSEUM
$75,000UNRESTICTED USE
OPENLANDS
$75,000UNRESTRICTED USE
LAKE FOREST OPEN LANDS ASSOCIATION
$75,000UNRESTRICTED
Cedille Chicago NFP
$75,000RESTRICTED USE
CHIARTS FOUNDATION
$75,000UNRESTRICTED