The Karla Scherer Foundation
EIN 38-2877392 · IL
Giving Profile
In 2025, The Karla Scherer Foundation based in IL paid 18 grants totaling $318.3K to 18 organizations across 5 states. Individual grants ranged from $500 to $78.8K, with a median of $7.5K. Its largest recipients included HEALTH NETWORK FOUNDATION, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, and PROJECT FREEDIVE. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications — giving is by invitation only.
Foundation at a Glance
- Total assets
- $2,148,172
- Giving (latest yr)
- $318,297
- Filing year
- 2025
- Itemized grants
- 18
- Median grant
- $7.5K
- Recipients
- 18
- States reached
- 5
- Officers/trustees
- 3
- Unsolicited applications
- No — invitation only
Where the Money Goes
Top recipients
- Health Network Foundation$78,797
- University of Chicago$75,000
- Project Freedive$51,110
- Planned Parenthood$28,890
- Newberry Library$20,000
Where grants went
- Illinois$222,500 · 13 grants
- Ohio$78,797 · 1 grant
- Virginia$11,000 · 2 grants
- Michigan$5,000 · 1 grant
- Arizona$1,000 · 1 grant
Grants Paid (18)
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FAQFrequently Asked Questions
No. The Karla Scherer Foundation does not accept unsolicited applications — its grantmaking is by invitation only. Cultivating a relationship or securing an introduction is typically required.
In its most recent filing, The Karla Scherer Foundation reported 18 itemized grants totaling $318.3K. Individual grants ranged from $500 to $78.8K (median $7.5K).
Recent recipients include HEALTH NETWORK FOUNDATION, UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, PROJECT FREEDIVE, among 18 organizations in total. The full grant list is on this page.
The Karla Scherer Foundation is a private foundation based in Illinois, per its IRS 990-PF filing.
The Karla Scherer Foundation gives by invitation only, so there is no open application. Officer and address details from its 990-PF are the best starting point for an introduction.
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