James and Zita Gavin Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $432,800 (reported)
• EIN: 363256613
• Founded: 1983
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $65,000 (based on 2007 grants)
• Geographic Focus: Illinois, Louisiana, New York, and Ohio
• Application Process: No public applications accepted

Contact Details

Address: 701 Park Dr, Kenilworth, IL 60043-1008

Type: Private Family Foundation

Note: This foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and contributes only to pre-selected organizations.

Overview

The James and Zita Gavin Foundation Inc is a private family foundation established in 1983 in Illinois. The foundation is managed by family members, with donors James J. Gavin, Jr. and Zita C. Gavin serving alongside their family in leadership roles. The foundation focuses its grantmaking primarily on Roman Catholic organizations and ministries, with additional support for education, health services, and social services. Operating with an annual giving budget of approximately $432,800, the foundation awards grants ranging from $5,000 to $65,000 to pre-selected organizations. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and identifies grant recipients through trustee discretion and pre-existing relationships.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates as a traditional private family foundation with trustee-directed grantmaking. All grants are awarded at the discretion of the board of trustees without a formal application process.

Priority Areas

Based on documented grants, the foundation supports:

• Roman Catholic Organizations and Ministries: Primary funding focus, including religious orders, Catholic schools, and ministries
• Education: K-12 Christian/Catholic schools, including Saint Augustine High School
• Health and Social Services: Support for organizations like Long Island Alzheimers Foundation and Maria Joseph Manor
• Social Services: Organizations such as Link Unlimited (Chicago, IL)
• Religious Organizations: Support for missions and religious communities, including Mission Society for United Methodists and Sisters of the Holy Family
• Arts and Culture: Limited support for organizations like Nasher Sculpture Center
• Higher Education: Support for institutions such as Southern Methodist University

Geographic Focus

The foundation gives primarily in:

• Illinois (primary focus, foundation headquarters)
• Louisiana
• New York
• Ohio

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals: The foundation does not provide grants to individuals
• Organizations Outside Focus Areas: Funding is limited to pre-selected organizations in their priority geographic regions
• Unsolicited Applications: Organizations that are not already known to the foundation

Governance and Leadership

Board of Trustees/Officers

• Zita C. Gavin - President
• William Gavin - Vice President
• Steven J. Gavin - Secretary
• James L. Gavin - Treasurer

Foundation Structure

The James and Zita Gavin Foundation operates as a family foundation, with donors James J. Gavin, Jr. and Zita C. Gavin, and their family members serving as officers. This structure indicates that grantmaking decisions are made collectively by family members who serve as trustees.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The James and Zita Gavin Foundation contributes only to pre-selected organizations and does not accept unsolicited applications. Grant recipients are identified through trustee discretion and pre-existing relationships with the foundation and its board members.

Organizations cannot submit proposals or applications for funding consideration. All grants are awarded based on the board's independent identification and selection of recipients aligned with the foundation's mission and priorities.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - the foundation operates on trustee discretion without application deadlines or notification schedules for external applicants.

Understanding This Funder

Grant History

Based on documented 2007 grants, the foundation awarded:

• $65,000 to Vox Populi Mariae Mediatrici (Hopedale, OH)
• $50,000 to Link Unlimited (Chicago, IL)
• $25,000 to Long Island Alzheimers Foundation (Port Washington, NY)
• $25,000 to Maria Joseph Manor
• $25,000 to Mission Society for United Methodists
• $25,000 to Sisters of the Holy Family
• $20,000 to Saint Augustine High School
• $5,000 to Nasher Sculpture Center
• $5,000 to Southern Methodist University
• $5,000 to Starboard Media Foundation

Alignment Factors

Organizations that have received funding from the James and Zita Gavin Foundation typically share these characteristics:

• Catholic Affiliation: Strong preference for Roman Catholic organizations, ministries, schools, and religious communities
• Geographic Connection: Located in Illinois, Louisiana, New York, or Ohio
• Established Organizations: The foundation funds established institutions rather than startups or experimental programs
• Pre-existing Relationships: Recipients typically have some connection to the foundation's board members or geographic focus areas
• Education and Social Service Focus: Organizations providing educational services (particularly Catholic schools) or social services addressing community needs

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Application Process: This foundation cannot be approached through traditional grant applications - they select recipients independently
• Catholic Focus: The foundation's primary interest is supporting Roman Catholic organizations and ministries
• Family Foundation Structure: Decisions are made by family members who serve as trustees, suggesting grants reflect personal connections and values
• Multi-State Geographic Range: While based in Illinois, the foundation supports organizations in Louisiana, New York, and Ohio as well
• Varied Grant Sizes: Historical grants range from $5,000 to $65,000, showing flexibility based on organization and project scope
• Established Organizations: The foundation appears to support established institutions rather than new or unproven organizations
• Not Accessible to Most Organizations: Without a public application process or connection to the foundation, organizations should focus their efforts on funders with open application processes

References

• Cause IQ - James and Zita Gavin Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/james-and-zita-gavin-foundation,363256613/ (Accessed February 25, 2026)
• Charity Navigator - James and Zita Gavin Foundation Inc. Profile. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/363256613 (Accessed February 25, 2026)
• GuideStar - James and Zita Gavin Foundation Inc Profile. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/36-3256613 (Accessed February 25, 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - James And Zita Gavin Foundation Inc. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/363256613 (Accessed February 25, 2026)
• Here-4-You Consulting - James & Zita Gavin Foundation, Inc. Directory Profile. https://npfunds.com/directory/james-zita-gavin-foundation-inc/ (Accessed February 25, 2026)
• Candid Foundation Directory - James & Zita Gavin Foundation. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=GAVI003 (Accessed February 25, 2026)
• City Vision University Library - James and Zita Gavin Foundation Inc. https://library.cityvision.edu/orgs/james-and-zita-gavin-foundation-inc (Accessed February 25, 2026)