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Gerald A & Karen Kolschowsky Foundation Inc

Annual Giving
$10.4M
Grant Range
$1K - $25.0M

Gerald A & Karen Kolschowsky Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $10,359,400 (2023)
  • Assets: $36+ million
  • Grant Range: $500 - $25,000,000 (typical: $500 - $20,000; most common: ~$1,000)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Illinois (DuPage County and Chicago), with some national and international giving
  • Application Type: Invitation only - no public application process

Contact Details

Location: Downers Grove, IL
EIN: 36-3505302
Foundation Type: Private family foundation

Note: The foundation does not provide public contact information and does not accept unsolicited proposals.

Overview

The Gerald A. and Karen A. Kolschowsky Foundation was established in the 1980s by Gerald Kolschowsky, former chairman and co-CEO of OSI Industries (a global food company with clients including McDonald's, Subway, and Starbucks), and his wife Karen, a former teacher. The foundation is now led by their son, Tim Kolschowsky, who serves as president. With over $36 million in assets and annual giving exceeding $10 million in recent years, the foundation focuses on education, religious causes (particularly Lutheran institutions), and health and human services. The Kolschowskys are known for their commitment to fighting hunger and poverty both locally in the Chicago area and globally, with significant international development work in Tanzania and Uganda. While most grants range from $500 to $20,000, the foundation has made transformational gifts in the millions, including a $25 million gift to Sarasota Memorial Health Care System in 2023.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with defined application cycles. All grants are made to pre-selected charitable organizations chosen by the trustees.

Grant Size Ranges:

  • Small grants: $500 - $5,000 (typical for local religious and community organizations)
  • Mid-size grants: $5,000 - $50,000 (for established relationships with health and human service organizations)
  • Major grants: $100,000+ (for strategic initiatives, particularly in healthcare, education, and international development)
  • Transformational gifts: $1 million+ (rare, for significant capital projects or endowments)

Priority Areas

Religious Causes (Primary Focus):

  • Lutheran churches and ministries (ELCA and related institutions)
  • Interfaith dialogue and engagement
  • Lutheran higher education institutions
  • Religious campus ministries

Specific Past Recipients:

  • Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
  • ELCA Foundation
  • Lutheran Campus Ministry at Northwestern University
  • Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) - including support for A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice
  • Parliament of the World's Religions

Health and Human Services:

  • Hospitals and healthcare systems
  • Children's welfare organizations
  • Family services
  • Hunger relief

Specific Past Recipients:

  • Sarasota Memorial Health Care System ($25 million, 2023)
  • Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital (DuPage County)
  • American Red Cross of Greater Chicago
  • Children's Home & Aid Society of Illinois
  • Metropolitan Family Services (35+ years of support, recent gifts in $50,000-$99,999 range)
  • The Chicago Lighthouse ($150,000 five-year pledge for Orientation & Mobility training program)

Education:

  • Higher education institutions
  • STEM education programs
  • Educational access initiatives
  • International study programs

Specific Past Recipients:

  • Art Institute of Chicago
  • Augustana College
  • Aurora University (John C. Dunham STEM Partnership School)
  • Michigan State University ($15 million for Tanzania Partnership Program and study abroad)
  • Iowa State University ($10 million for Uganda development work)

International Development:

  • Africa-focused development programs (Tanzania, Uganda)
  • Educational partnerships with international focus
  • Sustainable community development

What They Don't Fund

Based on the foundation's stated policy of only funding "pre-selected charitable organizations," they do not fund:

  • Unsolicited requests from any organization
  • Organizations without an established relationship with the foundation or its trustees

Governance and Leadership

Tim Kolschowsky - President
Tim Kolschowsky leads the foundation, continuing his parents' philanthropic legacy. Under his leadership, the foundation has maintained long-term relationships with grantee organizations while also making strategic transformational gifts, such as the $25 million to Sarasota Memorial Health Care System.

Gerald and Karen Kolschowsky - Founders
Gerald, former chairman and co-CEO of OSI Industries, and Karen, a former teacher, established the foundation in the 1980s. They were recognized with Michigan State University's 2022 Philanthropist Award for their "steadfast commitment to transform lives" through development work in Africa.

Philanthropic Approach:
The Kolschowskys are described as having "a profound commitment to strengthening communities and empowering families locally and globally." Their giving philosophy emphasizes long-term relationships - evidenced by 35 years of support to Metropolitan Family Services and nearly 20 years of support to Sarasota Memorial Health Care System before making their $25 million transformational gift.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process.

The foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." All grants are made at the discretion of the trustees to organizations they have identified and selected.

Application Method: Invitation only
Unsolicited Applications: Not accepted

Getting on Their Radar

Long-Term Relationship Building:
The foundation's giving pattern shows a strong preference for long-term partnerships. Organizations that have received major gifts typically had relationships spanning decades (e.g., 35 years with Metropolitan Family Services, nearly 20 years with Sarasota Memorial before the $25 million gift).

Connection Points:

  • Lutheran Networks: Given the founders' strong Lutheran affiliation, organizations with connections to Lutheran churches, ELCA institutions, or Lutheran higher education may have pathways to introduction through shared networks.
  • DuPage County and Chicago Presence: The foundation has consistent giving patterns in these geographic areas, particularly supporting organizations where board members or community leaders may have visibility.
  • OSI Industries Network: Gerald Kolschowsky's business background may provide connection points through corporate and business networks in the Aurora, Illinois area and the food industry.
  • Higher Education Connections: The family's significant giving to Michigan State University and Iowa State University suggests that these academic networks may provide introduction opportunities.

Important Note: The foundation "keeps a low profile" and "does not provide a clear way to get in touch," so direct outreach is unlikely to be successful. Introduction through a trusted intermediary with existing foundation connections appears to be the primary pathway.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Given the foundation's approach of selecting organizations proactively, there are no published decision timelines or board meeting schedules.

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional success rate metrics do not apply.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, the relevant factors relate to how organizations become selected for funding:

Demonstrated Long-Term Impact:
The foundation's giving pattern shows they reward sustained performance. Organizations that received major gifts had proven themselves over many years of partnership. Metropolitan Family Services received support for 35 years before being honored as a major partner; Sarasota Memorial had nearly 20 years of relationship before receiving $25 million.

Alignment with Core Values:

  • Lutheran Faith and Interfaith Engagement: Strong preference for Lutheran institutions and organizations that promote interfaith understanding
  • Hunger and Poverty Alleviation: Explicit interest in organizations fighting hunger and poverty locally and globally
  • Transformative Impact: Willingness to make very large gifts for initiatives that will create lasting change (e.g., $25 million for research and education institute, $15 million for Tanzania programs)
  • Educational Opportunity: Support for STEM education, study abroad programs, and educational access

Geographic Relevance:
Organizations in DuPage County and Chicago have received consistent support. The foundation also supports organizations in areas where the family has personal connections (e.g., Sarasota, Florida; Michigan; Iowa).

Sector Alignment:
Based on actual grants made, the foundation prioritizes:

  1. Lutheran churches and religious institutions (primary focus)
  2. Healthcare systems and hospitals (site of largest individual gifts)
  3. Family services and child welfare
  4. Higher education, particularly with international development components

Stewardship and Recognition:
Organizations that appropriately recognize the foundation's support (such as naming the Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute) while maintaining the family's preference for a relatively low public profile appear to maintain strong relationships.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This foundation does not accept grant applications - they proactively identify and select organizations to support, so traditional grant writing is not applicable
  • Relationship tenure matters significantly - organizations receive largest gifts after decades of partnership; focus on building long-term relationships if you manage to get connected
  • Lutheran affiliation is a major advantage - strong preference for ELCA-affiliated institutions and Lutheran causes; interfaith engagement is also valued
  • Geographic focus is primarily Illinois - DuPage County and Chicago are primary areas of interest, though the family supports organizations in areas where they have personal connections
  • Think transformational, not transactional - while the foundation makes many small grants ($500-$1,000), their major gifts ($100,000+) support transformative initiatives with lasting impact
  • International development is a passion area - significant commitments to Africa (Tanzania and Uganda) suggest openness to global programs aligned with their values
  • Healthcare and family services are sweet spots - largest individual grants have gone to healthcare systems; consistent support for organizations serving families and children in need
  • Personal connections and trusted networks are essential - without a public application process, introduction through business networks, Lutheran institutions, or existing grantees is likely the only pathway to consideration

References

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