Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- This foundation funds cancer research, hospital support, children's programmes, animal support, and arts and culture, so only approach if your work sits clearly in one of these fields.
- It operates by invitation only and does not accept unsolicited requests, so small nonprofits should not send a cold application; relationship building or an existing connection is likely needed before any approach.
- Giving is heavily repeat-based, with 86% of its grant dollars in its latest filing going to organisations it had also funded previously, so this looks like a relationship-led funder rather than one that is open to new applicants each cycle.
- Typical grants range from $5,000 to $750,000, with a median of $100,000 across its recent filings, so a request in that broad band would fit the pattern, though the foundation can also make much larger grants.
- No geographic focus is stated, so do not assume your location rules you in or out; base any approach instead on fit with the funding themes and on finding a route to invitation.
Overview
Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation is a US private foundation based in Buffalo Grove, IL.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (bigskybravery.org), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The foundation says its grants support cancer research, hospital support, children's programmes, animal support, and arts and culture. Its filings record grants to charitable organisations for operational and programme expenses. The published description names these fields without setting out more specific project types or organisation categories, and does not add qualifiers about whom the foundation serves or how grants must be used. Grant rows span several states, but the filings and the description do not state a geographic priority for applicants.
Themes
- Cancer research
- Hospital support
- Children's programmes
- Animal support
- Arts and culture
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in Montana, Illinois, North Carolina, New York and Iowa.
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 86% 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 96 grants to organisations were $100,000 or less.
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 16%
- The largest single recipient received 22% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 86% of grant dollars went to organisations Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 5% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 33 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $100k (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- Big Sky Bravery · To support operational and program expenses.$5,493,5002024 tax year
- PAWS Chicago · To support operational and program expenses.$2,206,6382024 tax year
- Myriad USA · To support operational and program expenses.$1,700,0002024 tax year
- V Foundation · To support operational and program expenses.$1,461,9502024 tax year
- Maui Health · To support operational and program expenses.$1,028,7072024 tax year
- The Chosen and Dearly Loved Foundation · To support operational and program expenses.$750,0002024 tax year
- Napa Valley Festival Association · To support operational and program expenses.$570,1002024 tax year
- Judicial Watch · To support operational and program expenses.$250,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Nan Kocourek — CEO
- Wayne Kocourek — Trustee
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $4,725,734 | $4,305,265 | $31,938,531 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $9,207,066 | $8,648,270 | $136,388,598 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $15,908,711 | $15,335,895 | $127,540,492 | 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
🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.
Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.
Data privacy and security by default
Your organisation's past successful grants and experience
AI analysis of what reviewers want to see
A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours
Spotted something that needs correcting? Let us know
At a glance
Applying to Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Buffalo Grove, IL
Applying to Wayne and Nan Kocourek Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Buffalo Grove, IL