Mazza Foundation
At a glance
Key takeaways
- Mazza Foundation, based in Chicago, says it aims to improve the lives of Chicagoans, and its stated themes are healthcare, social services, education, cultural organisations and religious organisations, so work in those fields is the best fit.
- No geographic focus is stated, although most recorded grant dollars went to Illinois organisations.
- Typical grants run from $5,000 to $250,000, with about 8 in 10 grants in that band and a median of $15,000, so a modest request near the median is a realistic start; the largest grant was $300,000, so the band describes typical grants rather than a limit.
- In the latest filing, 88% of grant dollars to organisations went to groups the foundation had funded in earlier filings, so a first approach is likely to be relationship-led, and the filing lists the foundation itself as the application contact.
- The filing gives no deadlines, so the timing of a request cannot be read from it.
Overview
Mazza Foundation is a US private foundation based in Chicago, IL.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (luriechildrens.org), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Mazza Foundation describes its giving as intended to improve the lives of Chicagoans. It provides vital funding for programmes in healthcare, social services and education, as well as for cultural and religious organisations. Its grant record includes scholarships, neuromuscular programmes, arts and science education, and community engagement. The recipients include hospitals, schools and universities, social-service organisations, arts groups, museums and religious institutions. Most recorded grant dollars went to organisations in Illinois. The evidence shows a broad charitable portfolio across these fields.
Themes
- Healthcare
- Social services
- Education
- Cultural organisations
- Religious organisations
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Illinois.
How to apply
The filing lists MAZZA FOUNDATION as the application contact.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 88% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 107 grants to organisations were $15,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
- The largest single recipient received 15% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 88% of grant dollars went to organisations Mazza Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 15% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 36 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $13,500 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Big Shoulders Fund · Scholarships$300,0002024 tax year
- Misericordia Foundation · New residence$300,0002024 tax year
- Lurie Children's Hospital · Neuromuscular program$300,0002024 tax year
- DePaul University · Scholarships$250,0002024 tax year
- Northwestern Memorial Foundation · Precision neurology$250,0002024 tax year
- Archdiocese of Chicago · Generation to generation campaign$200,0002024 tax year
- Loyola University Chicago · Scholarships/housing$125,0002024 tax year
- Lyric Opera of Chicago · Lyric unlimited program$75,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Nicholas Lavezzorio — Treasurer / Director
- Joseph Rubinelli — Secretary / Director
- Mary Jane Rubinelli — President / Director
- Joan Lavezzorio Schniedwind — Vice President / Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $2,147,681 | $1,825,000 | $40,265,192 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $2,439,518 | $2,092,500 | $45,870,392 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $2,600,774 | $2,187,000 | $49,819,210 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Mazza Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
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Contact
- (312) 855-4055
- Chicago, IL
Applying to Mazza Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- (312) 855-4055
- Chicago, IL