Kara Foundation

EIN 36-3779796 Β· IL

Invitation only Typical grant ~$10K Funds in WI, IL, WA +4
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Giving Profile

In 2025, Kara Foundation based in IL paid 23 grants totaling $425K to 23 organizations across 7 states. Individual grants ranged from $1K to $125K, with a median of $10K. Its largest recipients included SMILES, 3 FIRES COUNCIL, and RACINE COUNTY ZOO. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications β€” giving is by invitation only.

Foundation at a Glance

Total assets
$13,081,891
Giving (latest yr)
$425,000
Filing year
2025
Itemized grants
23
Median grant
$10K
Recipients
23
States reached
7
Officers/trustees
5
Unsolicited applications
No β€” invitation only

Where the Money Goes

Top recipients

  • Smiles$125,000
  • 3 Fires Council$65,000
  • Racine County Zoo$50,000
  • Lifeline Pilots$30,000
  • Lakeland School of Walworth County$26,500

Where grants went

  • Wisconsin$227,500 Β· 6 grants
  • Illinois$192,000 Β· 12 grants
  • Washington$1,500 Β· 1 grant
  • Florida$1,000 Β· 1 grant
  • Maryland$1,000 Β· 1 grant
  • Oregon$1,000 Β· 1 grant

Grants Paid (23)

Smiles
Darien, WI
Operational Support
$125,000
3 Fires Council
St Charles, IL
Operational Support
$65,000
Racine County Zoo
Racine, WI
Operational Support
$50,000
Lifeline Pilots
Peoria, IL
Operational Support
$30,000
Lakeland School of Walworth County
Elkhorn, WI
Operational Support
$26,500
Wetosha Senior Community Center
Bristol, WI
Operational Support
$22,000
Wayne Township Food Pantry
West Chicago, IL
Operational Support
$20,000
Mobile Care Chicago
Chicago, IL
Operational Support
$20,000
York Township
Lombard, IL
Operational Support
$15,000
United Spinal Association
Palos Heights, IL
Operational Support
$10,000
Naperville Respons for Our Veterans
Naperville, IL
Operational Support
$10,000
Donka Inc
Wheaton, IL
Operational Support
$10,000

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FAQFrequently Asked Questions

No. Kara Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications β€” its grantmaking is by invitation only. Cultivating a relationship or securing an introduction is typically required.

Kara Foundation is classified as a Human Services funder. Food, housing, youth development, employment, public safety, and family services. Its recent grants reached organizations across 7 states.

In its most recent filing, Kara Foundation reported 23 itemized grants totaling $425K. Individual grants ranged from $1K to $125K (median $10K).

Recent recipients include SMILES, 3 FIRES COUNCIL, RACINE COUNTY ZOO, among 23 organizations in total. The full grant list is on this page.

Kara Foundation is a private foundation based in Illinois, per its IRS 990-PF filing.

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