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Christopher L & M Susan Gust Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.6M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.4M

Christopher L & M Susan Gust Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,559,945 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not applicable (invitation only)
  • Decision Time: Not publicly disclosed
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $400,000
  • Geographic Focus: Primarily Chicago, IL
  • Total Assets: $14.1 million (2024)
  • Number of Grants: 33 awards (2024), 40 awards (2023)

Contact Details

Website: www.gustfoundation.org
Phone: 312-543-1050
Address: 141 W Jackson Blvd Ste 1310, Chicago, IL 60604-3103

Key Staff Emails:

Overview

The Christopher L & M Susan Gust Foundation was established in 2001 by Christopher Gust, Co-Managing Partner at Wolverine Trading LLC and CEO of Wolverine Asset Management, and his wife Susan Gust, who holds an MBA from Northwestern University and a degree from the University of Michigan. The foundation was created through a public/private partnership with Chicago Public Schools in 2004. With assets totaling $14.1 million and annual giving of approximately $1.6 million, the foundation's strategic focus centers on inclusive education—specifically supporting Chicago Public Schools that are committed to school-wide inclusive and equitable practices for all students. The foundation provides professional development, trainings, and seminars to school communities, working to identify and develop structures that ensure success and sustainability for inclusive education practices. Beyond education, the foundation also supports select human service and health causes in the Chicago area.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates primarily through invitation-only partnerships rather than formal grant programs. Grants range from $1,000 to $400,000, with an average grant size of $42,608.

Primary Focus Areas:

  • Inclusive Education Partnerships: Multi-year partnerships with Chicago Public Schools providing professional development, consulting services, and capacity building for inclusive practices
  • Special Education Support: Funding for inclusion facilitator positions, staff training, and infrastructure to support students with disabilities
  • Human Services: Selective grants to organizations supporting vulnerable populations
  • Health: Limited grants focused on disability services and mental health

Priority Areas

Education (Primary Focus):

  • Elementary and secondary education in Chicago Public Schools
  • School-wide inclusive and equitable practices for all students
  • Professional development for teachers and administrators on inclusive education
  • Special education and students with disabilities
  • Structural changes to remove barriers for students
  • Support for paraeducators and classroom teachers

Human Services & Health (Secondary Focus):

  • Organizations serving individuals with autism (e.g., Autism Speaks, Chicago Autism Connection)
  • Food security (e.g., Greater Chicago Food Depository, Lakeview Food Pantry)
  • Anti-poverty organizations (e.g., Heartland Alliance)
  • Disability services (e.g., Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Special Olympics Chicago branch)

What They Don't Fund

The foundation does not explicitly list exclusions, but their funding is highly focused on:

  • Organizations outside the Chicago area (limited to no funding)
  • Projects unrelated to inclusive education or their specific human service interests
  • General operating support for organizations outside their partnership model

Governance and Leadership

Founders and Board

Christopher L. Gust - Co-Founder and Director
Christopher Gust is a financier who graduated from the University of Michigan in 1986. He has served as Co-Managing Partner at Wolverine Trading LLC since 1994 and is managing director, CEO, and CIO of Wolverine Asset Management, which he co-founded in 2001.

M. Susan Gust - Founding Director
Susan Gust holds a degree from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Northwestern University. She founded the organization with her husband Chris in 2004 through a public/private partnership with Chicago Public Schools. Her core belief: "Inclusive, equitable community building begins in schools; every student deserves opportunity to reach full potential."

Leadership Team

Lindsay Kovarik - Co-Director
With a decade of experience in Chicago Public Schools, Lindsay holds a B.A. in Education from the University of Michigan and M.A. in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership from the University of Illinois. She has served as a teacher, instructional coach, acting assistant principal, and professional development leader. She joined the foundation in 2018.

Jennifer Larry - Co-Director
A Chicago native with a B.A. in Business Administration from DePaul University and M.A. in Teaching from Concordia University. She joined the foundation in 2015 as an Inclusion Facilitator. Her philosophy: "Freedom and access for the most vulnerable in our society ensures freedom and access for all."

Elizabeth Powell - Business Strategist
An educator and attorney who taught in NYC public schools in an autism spectrum inclusion program and served in district leadership roles in Chicago Public Schools.

Kristen Munoz - Inclusion Strategist
Joined in 2025 with 12+ years in CPS experience. Holds a B.A. in Public Affairs with Spanish minor and M.A. in Special Education from National Louis University.

Jamie Cachor - Inclusion Strategist
Brings expertise in inclusive practices, literacy, and teacher development. Former classroom teacher and Instructional Support Leader.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests or proposals. This is clearly stated on their website and confirmed across multiple sources.

The foundation operates through a trustee-discretionary model where partnerships are identified and initiated by the foundation itself, rather than through a public application process. Schools and organizations cannot apply directly but are selected by the foundation based on their commitment to inclusive and equitable practices.

Getting on Their Radar

For Chicago Public Schools: The foundation specifically partners with Chicago Public Schools that demonstrate a commitment to school-wide inclusive and equitable practices for all students. School leaders committed to refining and elevating inclusive practices may come to the foundation's attention through their work within the CPS system and their visible dedication to inclusion.

For Other Organizations: The foundation's secondary funding (human services and health) appears to be directed through board discretion based on alignment with the founders' values around supporting vulnerable populations, particularly those with disabilities. Organizations working in autism services, food security, disability services, and anti-poverty initiatives in Chicago may be considered.

Note: Earlier reports from Inside Philanthropy suggested the foundation was open to unsolicited applications with contact via operations manager Mary Kurczak at 312-391-6354, but the foundation's current website explicitly states they do not accept unsolicited proposals. This represents a policy change toward a more restricted, invitation-only approach.

Decision Timeline

Decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Partnerships appear to be multi-year commitments rather than single-grant awards.

Success Rates

Not applicable due to invitation-only model. In 2024, the foundation made 33 awards; in 2023, there were 40 awards.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable given the invitation-only model. Partnerships appear to be ongoing relationships rather than one-time grants.

Application Success Factors

Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional "success factors" do not apply. However, based on the foundation's documented work, the following characteristics appear to attract the foundation's attention:

For Educational Institutions

  1. Demonstrated Commitment to Inclusion: Schools that are visibly committed to school-wide inclusive and equitable practices for all students, particularly in special education contexts.

  2. Chicago Public Schools System Alignment: The foundation works exclusively within the CPS system for educational partnerships, making CPS affiliation essential.

  3. Willingness to Build Capacity: Schools that are open to professional development, trainings, and seminars to elevate inclusive practices. The foundation supports schools in "identifying and developing structures to ensure success and sustainability."

  4. Focus on Structural Change: The foundation funded projects like inclusion facilitator positions, indicating interest in systemic changes rather than one-time programs.

  5. Leadership Commitment: School leadership that demonstrates a vision for inclusive education and is willing to partner for multi-year implementation.

For Human Service and Health Organizations

  1. Focus on Disability Services: Organizations serving individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, or other special needs align with the foundation's values.

  2. Chicago-Based: Geographic focus is clearly on Chicago-area organizations.

  3. Alignment with Vulnerable Populations: Organizations serving "the most vulnerable in our society" as articulated by Co-Director Jennifer Larry's philosophy.

  4. Established Reputation: Past grantees include well-established organizations like Autism Speaks, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Greater Chicago Food Depository, and Heartland Alliance.

Recent Grant Examples

  • Ravenswood Elementary School and Jahn Elementary School: Received grants for inclusivity efforts for young students with special needs
  • Inclusion Facilitator Positions: Funded at two public elementary schools
  • St. Benedict Preparatory School: Received funding to provide learning opportunities for students with a variety of disabilities
  • Autism Speaks, Chicago Autism Connection: Health and human service grants
  • Greater Chicago Food Depository, Lakeview Food Pantry: Food security grants
  • Heartland Alliance: Anti-poverty support
  • Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Special Olympics Chicago: Disability services

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Direct Application Pathway: This foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Traditional grant writing will not result in funding from this source.

  • CPS Partnership Model: For education funding, the foundation works exclusively with Chicago Public Schools through multi-year partnerships that include consulting, professional development, and embedded staff support—not just financial grants.

  • Invitation-Only for Human Services: Secondary funding areas (human services, health) appear to be awarded through board discretion to established organizations aligned with the founders' values.

  • Inclusive Education Expertise: The foundation brings deep expertise in inclusive education practices through their professional staff of educational consultants, making them more of a capacity-building partner than a traditional funder.

  • Multi-Year Commitment: Partnerships appear to be ongoing relationships focused on sustainable structural change rather than one-time project grants.

  • Relatively Small Portfolio: With 33-40 grants annually and an average grant size of $42,608, the foundation maintains a focused portfolio of deep partnerships rather than broad grantmaking.

  • Policy Shift: The foundation has moved from accepting unsolicited applications (as reported in earlier years) to a strict invitation-only model, reflecting a strategic focus on proactive partnership development.

References

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