Gary & Denise Gardner Family Foundation | Foundation Profile

GrantBay analyzes IRS Form 990-PF data to help grant seekers find fit funders like Gary & Denise Gardner Family Foundation. Data shown is extracted from Form 990-PF filings.

EIN: 36-4318040

Foundation Overview

Based in Chicago, IL, Gary & Denise Gardner Family Foundation has awarded 116 grants totaling $2,809,941 to organizations in Illinois, New York and 2 other states across the US. Individual grants range from $500 to $150,000, with a median award of $10,000.

Latest Tax Year
2024
Total Giving (all years)
$2,809,941
Total Assets
$310,283
Median Grant (all grants)
$10,000

Latest Form 990-PF Snapshot

Total Grants
8
Median Grant
$25,000
% Median Grant Growth
+150% (vs previous year)
Data extracted from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Last filing year: February 2026

Foundation Intelligence

Advanced analytics and strategic insights to help nonprofit organizations assess grant opportunities and optimize their application strategies

New Applicant Friendliness
Relationship-Focused: 25%

2 of 8 recipients (25%) were new grantees. Foundation strongly favors organizations with proven track records. New partnerships develop slowly over time.

Geographic Focus
Illinois

87% of all grants are concentrated in Illinois, demonstrating highly focused geographic giving. This foundation prioritizes deep community impact in its primary service area. Within Illinois, funding concentrates in Chicago (96%), Evergreen Park (2%), University Park (2%).

Funding Trajectory
-33%

Declining funding trend with 33% decrease over 8 years may indicate reduced grant opportunities or shifting foundation priorities. This trajectory suggests more competitive application environment.

Program Areas
General Purposes

Highly focused on general purposes with 100% of funding dedicated to this sector. This specialization indicates deep expertise and committed investment in the field.

Where is The Money Going?

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Grants & Funding

Analyzing past grantees provides valuable insights into Gary & Denise Gardner Family Foundation's funding preferences, organizational priorities, and grant making patterns. This historical data helps potential applicants understand the foundation's strategic focus and identify successful funding approaches.

Name Amount Location Purpose Year
Art Institute Of Chicago $60,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2024
Chicago Chapter Charities Foundation Inc $10,000 Evergreen Park, IL, US Charitable 2024
Chicago Police Memorial Foundation $1,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2024
Hyde Park Art Center $40,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2024
Lyric Opera Of Chicago $2,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2024
Museum Of Contemporary Art $500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2024
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago $150,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2024
The Museum Of Modern Art $50,000 New York, NY, US Charitable 2024
3arts Inc $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Art Institute Of Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Autism Speaks Inc $5,000 Washington, DC, US Charitable 2023
Chicago Parks Foundation $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Hyde Park Art Center $40,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Ingenuity Inc Chicago $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Links Foundation Inc $2,600 Washington, DC, US Charitable 2023
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
University Of Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
3arts Inc $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Art Institute Of Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Autism Speaks Inc $5,000 Washington, DC, US Charitable 2023
Chicago Parks Foundation $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Hyde Park Art Center $40,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Ingenuity Inc Chicago $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Links Foundation Inc $2,600 Washington, DC, US Charitable 2023
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
University Of Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2023
Art Institute Of Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Chicago Police Memorial Foundation $3,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Museum Of Contemporary Art $15,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago $100,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation $5,000 New York, NY, US Charitable 2022
University Of Chicago $60,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Art Institute Of Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Chicago Police Memorial Foundation $3,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Museum Of Contemporary Art $15,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago $100,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation $5,000 New York, NY, US Charitable 2022
University Of Chicago $60,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Art Institute Of Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Chicago Police Memorial Foundation $3,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Museum Of Contemporary Art $15,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago $100,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation $5,000 New York, NY, US Charitable 2022
University Of Chicago $60,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2022
Arts Alliance Illinois $500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
Chicago Chapter Charities Foundation Inc $10,000 Evergreen Park, IL, US Charitable 2021
Chicago Police Memorial Foundation $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
Floating Museum Nfp $500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
Hyde Park Art Center $45,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
Lakeview Polar Bear Club Nfp $1,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
New Foundation Of Hope Inc $2,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago $60,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
Sit Stay Read Inc $500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
Special Children's Charities $7,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
The Joffrey Ballet $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
The National Public Housing Museum $500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
The Provident Foundation $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
The Studio Museum In Harlem $25,000 New York, NY, US Charitable 2021
Three Arts Foundation $30,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
University Of Chicago $102,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2021
19th Ward Youth Foundation $25,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2020
Maple Morgan Park Community Food Pantry $3,800 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2020
March Of Dimes Inc $5,000 Arlington, VA, US Charitable 2020
Plano Child Development Center $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2020
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2020
The Green Lantern Press $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2020
The Studio Museum In Harlem $30,000 New York, NY, US Charitable 2020
United States Artists Inc $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2020
University Of Chicago $60,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2020
Westside Health Authority $57,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2020
Art Institute Of Chicago $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2018
Arts Alliance Illinois $20,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2018
Chicago Police Memorial Foundation $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2018
Chicago West Community Music Center $30,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2018
One Goal $110,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2018
Art Institute Of Chicago $25,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Chicago Scholars $2,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Chicago Sinfonietta $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Chicago West Community Music Center $36,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Floating Museum Nfp $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Hyde Park Art Center $7,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Leadership Greater Chicago $3,750 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Museum Of Contemporary Art $2,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park - Governors State University $5,000 University Park, IL, US Charitable 2017
New Foundation Of Hope Inc $750 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
One Million Degrees $1,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Opportunity International $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Ora Higgins Youth Foundation $600 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Saint Barnabas Parish $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago $50,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Tate Americas Foundation $20,000 New York, NY, US Charitable 2017
The Coppin Community Center $2,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
The Dovetail Project $10,841 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Three Arts Foundation $15,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2017
Art Institute Of Chicago $62,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Bluhm Legal Clinic Northwestern Pritzker School Of Law $2,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Chicago Community Trust $20,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Chicago Sinfonietta $50,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Chicago West Community Music Center $36,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Daniel Hale Williams Prep School Of Medicine $50,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Hyde Park Art Center $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Landmarks Illinois $500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Museum Of Contemporary Art $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park - Governors State University $10,500 University Park, IL, US Charitable 2016
National Museum Of African American History And Culture $50,000 Washington, DC, US Charitable 2016
New Foundation Of Hope Inc $1,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
One Goal $100,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Opportunity International $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Saint Barnabas Parish $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago $10,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
St Titus One Mb Church $5,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
The Green Lantern Press $1,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
The Historymakers $2,500 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
The Studio Museum In Harlem $2,500 New York, NY, US Charitable 2016
Three Arts Foundation $15,000 Chicago, IL, US Charitable 2016
Uncf $25,000 Washington, DC, US Charitable 2016

Foundations Similar to Gary & Denise Gardner Family Foundation

Discover 5 foundations with comparable assets ($308,256-$311,026), similar grant patterns, and geographic focus in IL that may also align with your organization's funding needs and grant seeking strategy.

Foundation Name Total Assets Typical Grant Size Service Area Similarity Match

EIN: 20-2935333 | 18 grants awarded
$310,394
(≈ Similar)
$5,000
median grant
Chicago, IL
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 55-6087115 | 18 grants awarded
$310,878
(≈ Similar)
$6,499
median grant
Chicago, IL
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 83-1667718 | 43 grants awarded
$309,643
(≈ Similar)
$8,000
median grant
Chicago, IL
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 37-1127639 | 7 grants awarded
$311,026
(≈ Similar)
$15,957
median grant
Edwardsville, IL
Same state
100%
Excellent match

EIN: 39-6582144 | 11 grants awarded
$308,256
(≈ Similar)
$10,489
median grant
Chicago, IL
Same state
100%
Excellent match

Contact Information

Official contact details for Gary & Denise Gardner Family Foundation as registered with the IRS. These details are essential for grant applications, correspondence, and due diligence processes.

EIN 36-4318040
Website N/A
Address 10540 S LONGWOOD DR Chicago, IL 60643-2667

Key People (3)

Board members, trustees, and key staff who oversee Gary & Denise Gardner Family Foundation's grant making decisions and strategic direction. Understanding leadership composition can provide insights into foundation priorities and potential networking opportunities.

President Gary E Gardner
Secretary Denise B Gardner
Treasurer Betty B Barnett

Forms 990-PF

IRS Form 990-PF filings provide comprehensive financial information, grant details, and operational data. These documents are essential resources for understanding foundation capacity, giving patterns, and strategic priorities.

Form 990-PF Research Tips
  • Review Part XV for detailed grant recipient information and funding purposes
  • Check Part I for total assets, annual giving amounts, and payout requirements
  • Examine Part VIII for key personnel compensation and board structure
  • Look for trends across multiple years to understand giving patterns

About This Foundation Profile

This comprehensive foundation profile for Gary & Denise Gardner Family Foundation is powered by Grant Bay's advanced foundation research platform. Our system analyzes IRS Form 990-PF filings, grant histories, and philanthropic patterns to provide nonprofit organizations with actionable intelligence for grant seeking success.

Data Sources & Accuracy

All information is derived from official IRS filings and public records. Grant Bay processes thousands of Form 990-PF documents to extract grant details, financial data, and organizational information. Data accuracy depends on foundation reporting quality and IRS filing completeness.

Research Applications

Use this profile for prospect research, grant strategy development, application preparation, and relationship building. Combine this data with additional research on foundation priorities, application processes, and board member backgrounds for comprehensive grant seeking strategies.

Data Currency: Last updated February 2026 based on IRS Form 990-PF filings. Foundation information reflects most recent available tax year data.