The Egerter Family Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $696,000 (2024)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not publicly available
• Grant Range: $20,000 - $38,000 (based on observed grants)
• Geographic Focus: National (Wyoming, Illinois, Connecticut observed)

Contact Details

The foundation does not maintain a public website or published contact information. The foundation is registered in Fairfield, CT with the IRS under EIN 85-3751463.

Overview

The Egerter Family Foundation was established in 2022 as a private independent foundation. With total assets of approximately $13.9 million and annual giving of approximately $696,000, the foundation supports charitable organizations primarily in Wyoming, Illinois, and Connecticut. The foundation is led by Dean Andrew Egerter, Senior Managing Director at Harrison Street Real Estate Capital LLC, a Chicago-based real estate investment firm, and Laura A. Egerter. The foundation made 71 grants in 2023 and 92 grants in 2022, demonstrating active and growing grantmaking activity. Dean Egerter is also known for his involvement in women's professional soccer as an original investor in the Chicago Red Stars and has supported causes including health (CDC Foundation), youth development (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago), and hunger relief (Greater Chicago Food Depository).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation does not operate formal grant programs with published guidelines. Grants appear to be made at the discretion of the trustees.

Priority Areas

Based on observed grantmaking patterns from IRS 990 filings, the foundation has supported:

• Affordable housing: Community Foundation of Jackson Hole received $38,000 for affordable housing initiatives in Teton County, Wyoming
• Education and youth development: Lawndale Educational and Regional Network Charter School received $20,000 for student computer access
• Health and social services: Auxiliary of the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago received $20,000
• Community foundations: Support for general and unrestricted purposes

The foundation provides both restricted grants for specific projects and unrestricted general support.

What They Don't Fund

No publicly available information on funding exclusions.

Governance and Leadership

Dean Andrew Egerter - Director, President, Secretary, Treasurer. Dean Egerter is Senior Managing Director and former owner of Harrison Street Real Estate Capital LLC, a Chicago-based real estate investment firm. He is also an original investor in the Chicago Red Stars women's professional soccer team, having invested in 2007 to help found the organization.

Laura A. Egerter - Director, Vice President

The foundation operates with minimal staff, with trustees receiving compensation totaling $100,000 annually ($60,000 for Dean Egerter, $40,000 for Laura Egerter based on 2024 990-PF filing).

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. The Egerter Family Foundation is a private family foundation that makes grants primarily through trustee discretion. The foundation does not maintain a website, published application guidelines, or accept unsolicited proposals through a formal application process.

Grants appear to be awarded based on the trustees' interests and relationships with organizations in their communities of interest, particularly in Connecticut (where the foundation is based), Chicago/Illinois (where Dean Egerter's business is based), and Wyoming (where the family appears to have personal connections).

Decision Timeline

Not publicly available.

Success Rates

Not applicable - the foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Since this foundation does not accept unsolicited applications, traditional application success factors do not apply. Organizations that have received funding appear to be those with which the trustees have existing relationships or awareness, often in geographic areas connected to the Egerter family's personal and professional life (Connecticut, Chicago/Illinois, and Wyoming).

Based on past grantmaking patterns observed in IRS filings:

• The foundation supports a diverse range of causes rather than focusing on a single issue area
• Grants range from approximately $20,000 to $38,000 based on observed awards
• The foundation provides both project-specific and unrestricted general support
• Geographic focus includes communities where the family has personal or professional ties

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This foundation operates through trustee discretion and does not accept unsolicited proposals
• Geographic connections matter: Observed grants have gone to organizations in Connecticut, Illinois (particularly Chicago), and Wyoming - areas connected to the family's residence and business interests
• Relationship-based grantmaking: As a private family foundation, grants appear to be made to organizations known to the trustees
• Diverse interests: The foundation does not appear to be narrowly focused, having supported housing, education, health, and general community support
• Moderate grant sizes: Observed grants range from $20,000-$38,000, though the foundation's asset base could support larger awards
• Growing activity: The foundation has increased its grantmaking from 47 awards in 2021 to 92 awards in 2022 to 71 awards in 2023
• Not a realistic prospect for most organizations: Unless your organization has an existing connection to the Egerter family or their known areas of interest, this foundation is unlikely to be a viable funding source

References

• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: The Egerter Family Foundation (EIN 85-3751463), Form 990-PF filings 2022-2024. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/853751463 (Accessed January 2025)
• Cause IQ: The Egerter Family Foundation profile. https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-egerter-family-foundation,853751463/ (Accessed January 2025)
• Charity Navigator: The Egerter Family Foundation profile. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/853751463 (Accessed January 2025)
• Chicago Red Stars: Dean Egerter ownership profile. https://chicagoredstars.com/owners/dean-egerter/ (Accessed January 2025)
• CDC Foundation FY2022 Donor List, Margaret Ellerbe Mahoney Society. https://www.cdcfoundation.org/FY2022/donors (Accessed January 2025)
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago: Drive for 5 - Laura and Dean Egerter. https://bbbschgo.org/d45/egerter/ (Accessed January 2025)