Greer Foundation

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $401,000 (2023)
Number of Grants: 6 awards (2023), 27 awards (2022)
Average Grant Size: $66,833
Total Assets: $32.1 million (2024)
Geographic Focus: Multi-state (Arizona, Illinois, Missouri, North Dakota, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota) with emphasis on Chicago
Application Process: No public application process - preselected organizations only
EIN: 83-6080990

Contact Details

Address: 4501 W. 127th Street, Suite D, Alsip, Illinois 60803

Phone: 708-385-6500

Website: http://www.greercharities.com/

Note: The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications.

Overview

The Greer Foundation was established in October 2007 as a private grantmaking foundation led by Carl C. Greer, PhD, PsyD, a retired clinical psychologist, Jungian analyst, businessman, and shamanic practitioner. The foundation manages over $32 million in assets and distributed $401,000 in grants in 2023. The foundation's mission is to support programs that address the root causes of violence, poverty, and social injustice, protect the ecology of the earth, and promote effective healthcare including psychological health and alternative medicine. A unique aspect of the foundation is that 100% of Carl Greer's author proceeds from his books go to various charities through the foundation. Over its history, the foundation has funded more than 60 charities and supported over 2,000 Greer Scholars through its educational programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grantmaking: The foundation makes grants to preselected charitable organizations across multiple program areas. Grant amounts vary, with an average grant of approximately $66,833 in 2023. The foundation distributed 6 grants in 2023 and 27 grants in 2022.

Greer Scholars Program: Established scholarship programs including Greer Scholars and Tichenor-Greer Scholars that fund educational opportunities for minority and economically disadvantaged youth. At Moraine Valley Community College, scholarships range from $2,500 to $3,000 and are renewable.

Lehigh University Greer Scholars: Launched in 2013, this program provides funding and support for lower-income and first-generation African American and Hispanic students pursuing engineering degrees at Lehigh University. The program has achieved nearly 90% retention in engineering compared to roughly 30% in past cohorts.

Priority Areas

Domestic Violence: Supporting organizations that provide emergency shelter, counseling, safety planning, and transitional services for women and children experiencing domestic violence. The foundation supports healthcare providers to respond to domestic violence victims safely and with sensitivity.

Disadvantaged Youth: Programs that provide educational opportunities, mentorship, and support services for minority and economically disadvantaged young people, particularly in STEM fields.

Education and Scholarships: Higher educational institutions and nonprofit organizations offering scholarships for college, trade school, or certificate programs with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM).

Basic Needs and Emergency Assistance: Organizations providing essential services, emergency assistance, legal support, and job training programs.

Health and Wellness: Programs promoting effective healthcare including psychological health and alternative medicine.

Social Justice: Initiatives addressing the root causes of poverty and social injustice.

Environmental Protection: Programs that protect the ecology of the earth.

Geographic Focus

The foundation supports initiatives across Arizona, Illinois, Missouri, North Dakota, New York, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota, with key cities receiving funding including Chicago, New York, and Tucson. There is a notable emphasis on Chicago-area organizations.

Example Grant Recipients

Organizations supported by the Greer Foundation include:

Apna Ghar: Provides holistic services to women and children across immigrant communities in Chicago to end the cycle of domestic violence
ALAS-WINGS: Non-profit dedicated to empowering Hispanic/Latina women about breast cancer awareness
Between Friends: Domestic violence support services in Chicago
Big Shoulders Fund: Provides support to Catholic schools in the neediest areas of inner-city Chicago
Mercy Home for Boys & Girls: Catholic organization offering programs for youth who have experienced trauma
Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago: Youth development programs
Bottom Line: Helps low-income, first-generation students get accepted into college and graduate
Cancer Support Center: Healthcare support services
Chicago Lights: Community programs
Family Rescue: Domestic violence services
C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago: Mental health and Jungian psychology programs
Little Sisters of the Poor St. Joseph's Home: Senior care services
St. Coletta's of Illinois, Inc.: Services for individuals with disabilities
Lehigh University: Greer Scholars engineering program
Loyola University Chicago: Greer Scholars in STEM fields
Moraine Valley Community College: Greer Scholars program

What They Don't Fund

The foundation's 990-PF filing states they "only make contributions to preselected charitable organizations," indicating they do not fund organizations outside their established network. Specific exclusions are not publicly documented, but organizations outside the foundation's core focus areas (domestic violence, disadvantaged youth, education, healthcare, social justice, and environmental protection) are unlikely to be considered.

Governance and Leadership

Carl C. Greer, PhD, PsyD - Founder and Trustee

Dr. Greer is a retired clinical psychologist and Jungian analyst who teaches at the Jung Institute in Chicago and is on the staff of the Lorene Replogle Counseling Center. He holds workshops on Jungian and shamanic topics. His professional journey was unique: he was president of an oil company at age 28 and taught at Columbia University, but in his early 40s, he returned to school for a degree in psychology to pursue more meaningful work. He is also an author and shamanic practitioner.

Regarding his philanthropic philosophy, Dr. Greer has stated through his giving-back initiatives that his focus is on supporting organizations committed to helping people improve their lives, and he works with organizations not just through financial support but also to improve systems and services.

Lisa Sanchez - Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer

Donald Waterlander - Executive Director Emeritus

The foundation operates with a small staff focused on strategic grantmaking to its network of preselected organizations.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This foundation does not have a public application process. The Greer Foundation explicitly states that it "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations" and "does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Organizations cannot submit applications through an open or competitive process.

All grants are made at the discretion of the trustee to organizations with which the foundation has established relationships. The foundation proactively identifies organizations that align with its mission rather than responding to grant proposals.

Getting on Their Radar

Research the Foundation's Existing Network: Review the foundation's Form 990-PF (available through ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer or Candid) to understand which organizations have historically received funding. Look for patterns in the types of organizations, geographic locations, and program areas funded.

Align with Core Mission Areas: The foundation has clearly defined priorities around domestic violence, disadvantaged youth education (especially STEM), healthcare including psychological health, and social justice. Organizations working in Chicago or other key geographic areas (Arizona, Missouri, North Dakota, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota) and addressing root causes rather than just symptoms may be more aligned with the foundation's philosophy.

Connect Through Carl Greer's Professional Networks: Given Dr. Greer's background in Jungian psychology, shamanic practice, and his teaching at the Jung Institute in Chicago, organizations working at the intersection of mental health, alternative approaches to wellness, and social services may find natural connection points. He is also involved with the Lorene Replogle Counseling Center.

Long-term Relationship Building: Research suggests that becoming a "preselected organization" requires persistent, respectful relationship building over an extended period - potentially years rather than months. This might include:

Attending events where the foundation or its leadership are present
Building connections with current grantees who might provide introductions
Demonstrating proven impact in the foundation's priority areas
Sending a brief introductory letter (not a formal proposal) explaining your organization's alignment with the foundation's mission and requesting consideration for future funding

Support the Foundation's Book Sales: Since 100% of author proceeds from Dr. Greer's books go to the foundation's charitable work, organizations might mention their interest in and support of his written work, which includes "Change Your Story, Change Your Life," "Change the Story of Your Health," "The Necktie and the Jaguar," and "Go Within to Change Your Life."

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - grants are made at trustee discretion rather than through a scheduled application cycle.

Success Rates

Not applicable for public applications. The foundation's selective approach means only organizations identified by the trustee receive funding.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - there is no formal application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept applications, success factors center on organizational positioning and relationship building:

Deep Mission Alignment: Organizations must demonstrate they address "root causes" rather than just symptoms. Dr. Greer's stated philosophy emphasizes helping people improve their lives and working with organizations to improve systems and services, not just providing financial support.

Focus on Transformational Impact: Given Dr. Greer's background in psychology and shamanic practice, organizations that take holistic, transformational approaches to social problems may resonate more than those providing only transactional services.

STEM Education for Underrepresented Groups: The foundation has made substantial multi-year commitments to programs supporting minority and economically disadvantaged students in engineering and STEM fields, with documented success (90% retention at Lehigh University). Organizations with similar programs and proven outcomes may align well.

Serving Vulnerable Populations: The foundation consistently supports organizations serving women and children experiencing domestic violence, disadvantaged youth, and immigrant communities. Demonstrated cultural competency and trauma-informed approaches appear valued.

Chicago Connection: Many grantees are based in Chicago, particularly those serving inner-city populations. Having a presence or impact in Chicago, or being willing to expand there, may be advantageous.

Collaborative Approach: The foundation's stated interest in working with organizations to "improve systems and services" suggests they value grantees who are open to capacity building and strategic partnerships beyond just funding.

Financial Sustainability: As a relatively small foundation (distributing $401,000 in 2023), they appear to support established organizations with proven track records rather than start-ups, as evidenced by their grantee list including well-established institutions like Lehigh University, Loyola University Chicago, Big Shoulders Fund, and Mercy Home for Boys & Girls.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

No public application process exists - the foundation exclusively funds preselected organizations at the trustee's discretion, making traditional grant writing irrelevant for this funder
Focus on root causes, not symptoms - the foundation's mission explicitly emphasizes addressing underlying issues of violence, poverty, and social injustice rather than providing band-aid solutions
STEM education for underrepresented students is a proven pathway - multi-year commitments to Greer Scholars programs at multiple universities demonstrate sustained interest in this area, with impressive 90% retention outcomes
Chicago-centric but multi-state reach - while many grantees serve Chicago's neediest populations, the foundation also supports initiatives in six other states
Holistic, transformational approaches align with founder's values - Dr. Greer's background in Jungian psychology and shamanic practice suggests interest in organizations that take whole-person, systems-change approaches
Relationship building takes years, not months - becoming a preselected organization requires persistent, strategic networking and demonstrated alignment with mission priorities over an extended period
Average grant size of $66,833 - with only 6 grants distributed in 2023 (down from 27 in 2022), competition for the foundation's attention is extremely high and selectivity appears to be increasing

References

ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Greer Foundation (EIN 83-6080990). Available at: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/836080990 (Accessed January 2026)
Cause IQ - Greer Foundation / Carl C Greer Ttee. Available at: https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/greer-foundation-carl-c-greer-ttee,836080990/ (Accessed January 2026)
Instrumentl - Greer Foundation 990 Report. Available at: https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/greer-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
Carl Greer - Giving Back. Available at: https://carlgreer.com/giving-back/ (Accessed January 2026)
Candid Foundation Directory - Greer Foundation Profile. Available at: https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile?key=GREE440 (Accessed January 2026)
Lehigh University P.C. Rossin College of Engineering - Greer Scholars Program. Available at: https://engineering.lehigh.edu/give/greer-scholars-program (Accessed January 2026)
The Brown and White - "Greer Scholars program provides funding, support for minority engineering students" (October 16, 2014). Available at: https://thebrownandwhite.com/2014/10/16/greer_scholars/ (Accessed January 2026)
Natural Awakenings Chicago - "Wise Words with Carl Greer" (April 25, 2017). Available at: https://www.nachicago.com/2017/04/25/248464/wise-words-with-carl-greer (Accessed January 2026)
St. Louis Graduates - The Greer Foundation Scholarship Central. Available at: https://stlouisgraduates.academicworks.com/donors/the-greer-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
Technical Education Post - "Greer Foundation STEM Programs." Available at: https://www.techedmagazine.com/greer-foundation-stem-programs/ (Accessed January 2026)