Kavanaugh Family Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- The foundation makes contributions only to organisations it has preselected and does not accept unsolicited requests, so a cold written application is unlikely to be considered, and the realistic route in is through an existing link to the foundation.
- Its stated priority is Chicagoland and its themes are education and community welfare, so work in those areas, particularly with Catholic and community organisations, is the closest fit.
- Its typical grant band is $5,000 to $65,000, which is not a ceiling since its largest grant was $72,500, and its median grant was $35,000, so a modest request in that region matches its usual pattern.
- In its most recent filing, 97% of grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded the year before, so a prior relationship with the foundation is likely to weigh heavily.
- The filing gives no deadlines, so the timing of any approach is for you to judge.
Overview
Kavanaugh Family Foundation is a US private foundation based in Downers Grove, IL.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (southwestmessengerpress.com), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation empowers individuals to build brighter futures, primarily through scholarships to students at Catholic, college-preparatory schools throughout Chicagoland. Beyond education, it remains a steadfast partner to Catholic and community organisations, including a medical centre, advancing initiatives that uplift the poor, the sick and the vulnerable. Its giving therefore centres on educational opportunity while also supporting organisations addressing community needs. Its recorded grants include secondary schools, parishes, churches, a food pantry, a healthcare foundation and a school, reflecting this combination of educational and community giving.
Themes
- Education
- Community welfare
Geographic Focus
Priority: Chicagoland. (as reported in other published sources)
How to apply
The foundation makes contributions only to preselected charitable organisations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2023 filing, 97% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022 and TY2023 filings, half of its 36 grants to organisations were $35,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2023.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 13% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2023, 97% of grant dollars went to organisations Kavanaugh Family Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 3% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 14 grants in tax year 2023 by size
Median $60,000 (tax year 2023)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Mother McAuley High School · Charitable$72,5002023 tax year
- Mount Carmel High School · Charitable$65,5002023 tax year
- Marist High School · Charitable$65,0002023 tax year
- Marian Catholic High School · Charitable$65,0002023 tax year
- Brother Rice High School · Charitable$65,0002023 tax year
- Saint Ignatius College Preparatory · Charitable$60,0002023 tax year
- De La Salle Institute · Charitable$60,0002023 tax year
- Saint Rita of Cascia High School · Charitable$60,0002023 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Brendan C Kavanaugh — Vice President
- Matthew C Kavanaugh — Secretary / Treasurer
- David J Kavanaugh Jr — Vice President
- Kerry T Delgiudice — President
- Mary Kavanaugh — Director
- David J Kavanaugh — Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
2 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $594,244 | $592,000 | $12,050,763 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $640,755 | $619,000 | $16,260,552 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Kavanaugh Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Contact
- Downers Grove, IL
Applying to Kavanaugh Family Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Downers Grove, IL