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Ed Watkowski Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.2M
000

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,234,374 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Not publicly available
  • Geographic Focus: Not publicly specified
  • Foundation Type: Private family foundation
  • Tax-Exempt Since: February 2024 (newly established)

Contact Details

Address:
Ed Watkowski Foundation
2017 N Lincoln Ave Unit O
Chicago, IL 60614

Website: Not available
Email: Not available
Phone: Not available

Overview

The Ed Watkowski Foundation is a newly established private grantmaking foundation based in Chicago, Illinois, receiving its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in February 2024. The foundation was established following the passing of Edwin Watkowski, who died in October 2022 at age 89. In its first full year of operation (2024), the foundation received substantial contributions totaling $15.2 million and made charitable disbursements of $1.23 million. The foundation is managed by the Brady family, with Joseph G. Brady serving as President, Treasurer, and Director. With total assets of approximately $15 million, the foundation represents a significant new philanthropic resource in the Chicago area, though its specific funding priorities and programmatic focus have not yet been publicly disclosed.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation's specific grant programs, funding priorities, and areas of focus have not been publicly disclosed. As a newly established private foundation in 2024, detailed programmatic information is not yet available through public sources.

Priority Areas

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation has not provided public information about its mission statement or priority funding areas.

What They Don't Fund

Not publicly disclosed.

Governance and Leadership

Key Personnel

Joseph G. Brady - President, Treasurer & Director
Compensation: $190,000 (2024)
Joseph G. Brady serves as the foundation's chief executive, overseeing its operations and grant-making activities.

Scott C. Brady - Secretary & Director
No compensation reported (2024)

Joanne M. Brady - Vice President & Director
No compensation reported (2024)

The foundation appears to be a family-managed entity with the Brady family serving in all leadership positions.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, the Ed Watkowski Foundation operates through trustee discretion, with the board of directors determining grant recipients internally. The foundation has not established a public application portal, published application guidelines, or provided contact information for prospective grant seekers.

Decision Timeline

Not applicable - no public application process.

Success Rates

Not applicable - no public application process.

Reapplication Policy

Not applicable - no public application process.

Application Success Factors

Due to the foundation's private nature and lack of public application process, specific guidance for potential grant seekers is not available. The foundation makes grants at the discretion of its board of directors.

As a newly established foundation (2024), it has not yet established a public track record of grants that would indicate funding patterns or preferences.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Private Foundation: The Ed Watkowski Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications and operates through trustee discretion
  • Newly Established: Founded in 2024, the foundation is still in its early operational phase with no public track record of grants
  • Significant Resources: With $15 million in assets and $1.2 million in annual giving, this represents a substantial philanthropic resource
  • Family-Managed: The Brady family oversees all aspects of the foundation's operations and grant-making decisions
  • Limited Public Information: The foundation has not published mission statements, priority areas, or grant-making guidelines
  • No Public Contact: Without published contact information or application procedures, direct outreach is not possible through standard channels
  • Private Operations: Organizations seeking funding would need to have existing relationships with the foundation's leadership or be identified through the board's networks

References

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