Caerus Foundation
At a glance
This funder does not accept unsolicited applications. The foundation chooses the organisations it funds itself.
Key takeaways
- Caerus Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests and works by invitation only, so a small charity should not send it a cold proposal and should first look for a warm introduction.
- Its programme areas are Arts, Education, Environment and Global Health, and published sources list its priorities as Chicago, San Francisco, Wisconsin, Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe and Central America, so check that your work fits one of these before approaching it.
- Its typical grants fall between $20,000 and $250,000, and half of its 374 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less, so a modest request suits its usual pattern, though its largest grant was $1,500,000 and that band is not a ceiling.
- In the filing, 90% of grant dollars to organisations went to groups it had also funded in an earlier filing, so it leans heavily on existing relationships and a first-time applicant should expect a slow path.
- Published sources say it carries out proposal review and assesses organisational capacity, so be ready to show your capacity clearly.
Overview
Caerus Foundation is a US private foundation based in Northbrook, IL.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and web pages about the foundation (epip.org), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Caerus Foundation aims to expand educational opportunities for young people, alleviate human suffering, cultivate a more inclusive arts community, and preserve the natural world. It makes grants in four program areas: Arts, Education, Environment, and Global Health. Its domestic grants support organisations and programmes primarily in Chicago and San Francisco, as well as in Wisconsin. Internationally, its grants support activities across Africa and Asia, and in parts of Eastern Europe and Central America. Its remit combines youth education, humanitarian concerns, the arts, the natural world and global health.
Themes
- Arts
- Education
- Environment
- Global Health
Geographic Focus
Priority: Chicago; San Francisco; Wisconsin; Africa; Asia; Eastern Europe; Central America. (as reported in other published sources)
How to apply
The foundation states that it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 90% 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 374 grants to organisations were $50,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- Its grantmaking due diligence includes proposal review and assessing organisational capacity. (as reported in other published sources)
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: 6%
- The largest single recipient received 9% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 90% of grant dollars went to organisations Caerus Foundation had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
- 7% of grant dollars went to intermediaries that regrant to other organisations.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 134 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $50,041 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- HALO Trust USA · Transforming HALO's Global Impact through Crosscutting Investment$1,205,0002024 tax year
- National Audubon Society · Great Lakes Roles and Non-Personnel Support 2022-2025$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Doctors Without Borders USA · Emergency Response$600,0002024 tax year
- NEO Philanthropy State Infrastructure Fund · General Support in the state of WI$500,0002024 tax year
- City Year · Program implementation at 2 Austin-based schools 2023-2024$425,0002024 tax year
- United States Energy Foundation · Environmental Priorities in Wisconsin in 2024-2026$400,0002024 tax year
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation · Sustain Our Great Lakes Funding Collaboration$400,0002024 tax year
- Ducks Unlimited · Wisconsin Conservation Priorities: RCPP, Advocacy, Restoration, and Land Protection$330,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Sarah Barry — Assistant Treasurer
- Cathy Wereda — Treasurer
- Connie Giampapa — Assistant Secretary
- Christina M Hurvis — Secretary and Director
- Sara H Younkin — Vice president and Director
- J Thomas Hurvis — President and Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $12,710,743 | $13,369,030 | $176,948,986 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $16,985,913 | $14,677,953 | $207,719,528 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $19,387,572 | $15,142,327 | $251,603,928 | 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 Caerus Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Northbrook, IL
- caerusfoundation.org
Applying to Caerus Foundation?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Northbrook, IL
- caerusfoundation.org