David F. and Margaret T. Grohne Family Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $13.5 million (2024)
Success Rate: Data not publicly available
Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
Grant Range: Estimated $50,000 - $500,000+ (based on average grant calculation)
Average Grant: Approximately $257,000 (2023 data)
Geographic Focus: United States (including Chicago, New York, Denver, and other major cities)
Total Assets: $161.7 million (2024)

Contact Details

Address: Western Springs, IL

Note: The foundation does not appear to maintain a public website, email, or phone contact information. This is typical of private family foundations.

Overview

The David F. and Margaret T. Grohne Family Foundation was established in 1995 as a private family foundation based in Western Springs, Illinois. With total assets of $161.7 million as of 2024, the foundation has demonstrated consistent growth from $46.8 million in 2011. The foundation distributed approximately $13.5 million in charitable grants in 2024, representing 94% of its annual expenses, demonstrating a strong commitment to active grantmaking. The foundation makes approximately 35-40 grants annually, focusing on environment, biodiversity, wildlife conservation, health, diseases and conditions, and human services. The foundation is led by the Grohne family, with David Grohne serving as President and Margaret Grohne as Vice President, supported by additional family directors who serve without compensation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal named grant programs but makes discretionary grants through its board of directors. Based on 2023 data, the foundation made 40 grants totaling $10,275,400, suggesting an average grant size of approximately $257,000, though actual awards likely range from smaller to significantly larger amounts.

Priority Areas

Based on available public filings, the foundation focuses on:

Environment and Conservation: Biodiversity protection, wildlife conservation, and environmental sustainability
Health: Disease prevention, health conditions, and medical research
Human Services: Community support and social services programs
Geographic Focus: Supports projects across the United States, with activity in major cities including Chicago, New York, and Denver

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not publicly documented. As a private family foundation, they likely do not fund:

Individuals (except possibly through established scholarship programs)
Political campaigns or lobbying activities
Organizations outside the United States (based on observed grant patterns)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors:

David Grohne - President
Margaret Grohne - Vice President
Jeffrey Grohne - Director
Patricia Tassone - Director
Jennifer Huber - Director

All directors serve on a voluntary basis without compensation, consistent with typical private family foundation governance structures. The foundation maintains a family-centered governance model with close involvement from multiple generations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, the David F. and Margaret T. Grohne Family Foundation operates through trustee discretion and board-directed grantmaking. The foundation does not maintain a public website, published grant guidelines, or an open application portal.

Grants are typically awarded to organizations identified by the board of directors through their own research, networks, and relationships within the philanthropic community. This is a common approach for smaller private family foundations.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. As grants are awarded through board discretion rather than scheduled application cycles, there are no published decision timelines.

Success Rates

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

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the absence of a public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation operates through trustee-directed grantmaking rather than open applications, the traditional concept of "application success factors" does not apply. However, organizations working in the foundation's priority areas (environment, biodiversity, wildlife conservation, health, and human services) that:

Have established track records and demonstrated impact in their fields
Operate in geographic areas where the foundation has shown previous activity
Align closely with the foundation's documented interests in environmental conservation and health
Have connections to the Chicago/Illinois region or major metropolitan areas where the foundation has been active

...may be more likely to come to the attention of the foundation's board.

The foundation's consistent grantmaking pattern (35-40 grants annually) and substantial charitable disbursements (94% of expenses) indicate active, engaged philanthropy despite the private nature of their selection process.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Private family foundation: The Grohne Family Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates through board-directed grantmaking
Significant assets and giving: With $161.7 million in assets and $13.5 million in annual giving, this is a substantial regional foundation
Clear focus areas: Environment, biodiversity, wildlife conservation, health, and human services are documented priority areas
Consistent grantmaking: The foundation maintains steady grant activity with 35-40 awards annually
No public contact information: The foundation maintains privacy typical of family foundations, with no website or public contact details
Geographic scope: While based in Illinois, the foundation supports projects across multiple U.S. states and major metropolitan areas
Relationship-based: As with most private family foundations without public application processes, grants flow from board relationships and identified opportunities rather than competitive applications

References

Information compiled from publicly available IRS Form 990-PF filings and nonprofit database profiles. Accessed December 2024.