Jackson Kemper Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $15,008,802 (2023)
• Total Assets: $60,317,600
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $3,063,298
• Number of Grants: 42 awards (2023)
• Geographic Focus: National (primarily California, New York, and Illinois)
• Application Process: No public application process - invitation only

Contact Details

• Location: Hawthorn Woods, IL
• EIN: 36-4152920
• Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests

Overview

The Jackson Kemper Foundation was established in 1997 in Illinois as a private family foundation. With assets totaling approximately $60.3 million and annual giving of over $15 million, the foundation makes strategic grants across multiple states. Led by Jackson Kemper Jr. (President) and Sharon J. Kemper (Secretary/Treasurer), along with Director Mark Costa, the foundation operates with an all-volunteer leadership team that receives no compensation. The foundation focuses on education, health, community and economic development, housing development, and human services, primarily supporting organizations in California, New York, and Illinois, while also extending grants to communities across the United States including major urban centers and smaller communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Jackson Kemper Foundation operates as a private grantmaking foundation without designated program names. Grants are awarded at the discretion of the trustees.

• Grant Range: $5,000 - $3,063,298
• Application Method: Invitation only - preselected organizations
• Average Awards per Year: Approximately 40+ grants annually

Priority Areas

Based on their classification and documented focus areas, the foundation supports:

• Education: Educational institutions and programs
• Health: Health-related initiatives
• Community and Economic Development: Projects that strengthen communities
• Housing Development: Affordable housing and housing-related services
• Human Services: Social service organizations serving vulnerable populations
• Philanthropy and Voluntarism: Supporting other grantmaking entities and volunteer programs

Geographic Priorities

• Primary focus: California, New York, and Illinois
• Secondary support: Major urban centers including San Francisco, Seattle, and smaller communities across the United States

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds, indicating they do not fund organizations outside their preselected network.

Governance and Leadership

The Jackson Kemper Foundation is led by a small board of family members and associates:

• Jackson Kemper Jr. - President
• Sharon J. Kemper - Secretary/Treasurer
• Mark Costa - Director

All leadership members serve without compensation, demonstrating a commitment to directing maximum resources toward grantmaking activities. The foundation maintains a lean operational structure with charitable disbursements representing approximately 95-98% of total expenses.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

The Jackson Kemper Foundation only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and explicitly does not accept unsolicited requests for funds. Grants are awarded through trustee discretion based on the foundation's strategic priorities and existing relationships with organizations.

Organizations cannot apply for funding unless they have been specifically identified and invited by the foundation's leadership.

Decision Timeline

Not publicly disclosed. Decisions are made at the discretion of the trustees.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process exists.

Application Success Factors

Since the Jackson Kemper Foundation operates on an invitation-only basis with preselected charitable organizations, there is no public application process. Organizations that receive funding typically have:

• Established Relationships: Pre-existing connections with the foundation's leadership or trustees
• Alignment with Mission: Work that directly supports the foundation's focus areas in education, health, community development, housing, and human services
• Geographic Relevance: Operations in or serving communities in California, New York, Illinois, or other areas of interest to the trustees
• Track Record: Demonstrated effectiveness and impact in their field

The foundation's approach suggests they proactively identify organizations that align with their funding priorities rather than responding to external requests.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No Public Application Process: The Jackson Kemper Foundation does not accept unsolicited funding requests and only funds preselected organizations
• Substantial Grantmaking: Despite being invitation-only, the foundation makes significant grants ranging from $5,000 to over $3 million annually
• Geographic Focus: Priority given to California, New York, and Illinois, though grants extend to other U.S. locations
• Diverse Grant Sizes: The wide range ($5,000-$3,063,298) suggests the foundation supports both small community initiatives and major institutional projects
• Family Foundation Structure: As a private family foundation with volunteer leadership, funding decisions are driven by trustees' personal philanthropic interests
• High Grantmaking Efficiency: With 95-98% of expenses going directly to charitable disbursements, the foundation maintains minimal overhead
• Not a Viable Prospect for Cold Applications: Organizations should not invest time in unsolicited proposals to this foundation

References

• Cause IQ - Jackson Kemper Foundation Profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/jackson-kemper-foundation,364152920/. Accessed January 2026.
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Jackson Kemper Foundation. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/364152920. Accessed January 2026.
• Instrumentl - Jackson Kemper Foundation 990 Report. https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/jackson-kemper-foundation. Accessed January 2026.
• Grantmakers.io - Jackson Kemper Foundation Profile. https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/364152920-jackson-kemper-foundation/. Accessed January 2026.
• Foundation Directory (Candid) - Jackson Kemper Foundation. https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=KEMP030. Accessed January 2026.