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Segal Family Foundation II

Annual Giving
$3.3M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.1 - $3.6 million
  • Success Rate: Not available (invitation-only)
  • Decision Time: Not applicable (no open applications)
  • Grant Range: $500 - $100,000+ (average ~$5,000; exceptional gifts up to $1 million+)
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Chicago metropolitan area and Illinois

Contact Details

  • Address: 1474 Techny Road, Northbrook, IL 60062
  • Phone: (847) 380-4440
  • Website: No public website
  • Email: Not available
  • Application Portal: None (does not accept unsolicited applications)

Overview

Segal Family Foundation II (EIN: 36-4330990) is a private independent foundation established in 2000 and based in Northbrook, Illinois. It is the philanthropic vehicle of Gordon and Carole Segal, co-founders of Crate and Barrel. The foundation holds approximately $31.8-$33.4 million in total assets and distributes approximately $3.1-$3.6 million in grants annually across 115-125 grants per year.

The foundation's mission is guided by Carole Segal's core philanthropic belief: "We believe that those who can, should." The Segals apply their entrepreneurial mindset to giving, practicing what they call "Venture Philanthropy" — particularly in the health sector, where they provide seed funding and mentorship to promising early-career medical researchers. Their giving spans higher education, arts and culture, health and medical research, human services, and Jewish causes, with a strong preference for established Chicago-area institutions with national reputations.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate named grant programs. All grantmaking is at trustee discretion:

  • Small grants: $500 - $5,000 (majority of grants)
  • Mid-range grants: $5,000 - $100,000 (established institutions)
  • Major gifts: Up to $1 million+ (flagship relationships like Northwestern University)

Priority Areas

  1. Higher Education - Northwestern University, Art Institute of Chicago, DePaul University
  2. K-12 Education - Intrinsic Schools, After School Matters, Chicago Foundation for Education
  3. Health and Medical Research - Early-career medical researchers, University of Chicago Medical Center, Lurie Children's Hospital
  4. Arts and Culture - Chicago History Museum, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Field Museum
  5. Jewish Causes - Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, Illinois Holocaust Museum
  6. Human Services - Big Shoulders Fund, United Way of North Shore

What They Don't Fund

  • Unsolicited grant applications
  • Organizations without established relationships with trustees
  • Primary focus is Chicago area; limited national giving

Governance and Leadership

  • Carole B. Segal - President and Treasurer. Co-founder of Crate and Barrel; Chair Emeritus of Rush University Medical Center Board of Governors. Guides foundation philosophy: "We saw we could make a difference in business, and we use that same philosophy in our philanthropy."
  • Harvey J. Silverstone - Secretary
  • Katherine Frekko - Director
  • Gordon Segal - Co-founder (not listed as officer but influential through board relationships at Northwestern and University of Chicago)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The foundation's IRS Form 990 filings explicitly state it "contributes only to pre-selected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds."

Getting on Their Radar

  • Board relationships are primary entry point - Organizations where Segals serve on boards receive significant support
  • Rush University Medical Center connection - Through Carole's leadership role
  • Early-stage medical research - Aligns with "venture philanthropy" approach for young investigators at Chicago medical centers
  • Chicago Jewish philanthropic networks - Through Jewish United Fund connections

Decision Timeline

Not applicable (no open application process)

Success Rates

Not publicly available; approximately 115-125 grants made annually to preselected organizations

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable; repeat grants to same organizations are common

Application Success Factors

  • Personal network connections essential - Grants follow Segals' board memberships and civic commitments
  • "Venture philanthropy" framing for health - Emphasize seed funding for early-career researchers with high-potential ideas
  • Established Chicago institutions preferred - Largest grants go to organizations with national reputations
  • Entrepreneurial outcomes-orientation - Demonstrate measurable outcomes and scalability
  • Mentorship valued alongside funding - Organizations offering meaningful engagement beyond transactional funding

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No public application exists - only funds preselected organizations
  • Board-level relationships are the gateway - particularly Northwestern, Rush, University of Chicago
  • "Venture philanthropy" framework guides health giving - focus on innovation and catalytic impact
  • Strong Chicago-area focus with limited national giving
  • Average grants around $5,000; large gifts reflect decades-long relationships
  • Active across education, health, arts, Jewish causes, and human services
  • Relationship cultivation through existing networks is only viable strategy

References

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