Private foundation · Chicago, IL

The Karla Scherer Foundation

View org profile →Find similar funders →Invitation only
Typical grant size
$1K – $5K – $10K
25th · median · 75th percentile
Unique recipients
24
Repeat grantees
18
funded 2+ years

Application procedures · from 2024 990-PF

DeadlinesN/A
ContactKARLA SCHERER · 3129439191
MaterialsN/A
RestrictionsN/A

Leadership · from 2024 990-PF

Karla Scherer
CHRM-BD, CEO & TRUSTEE
Hadley Kimberlin
TREASURER
Amanda Mckenzie
SECRETARY

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part VII. Officers, directors, and trustees as reported by the foundation.

Payout rate · TY 2024
3.4%
grants paid ÷ assets · ~5% IRS minimum
'17
'18
'19
'20
'21
'22
'23
'24
174
Total grants awarded
$2.0M
Total amount
$12K
Average grant
$128K
Largest grant

Giving by year

2024
$282K
19 grants
2023
$250K
23 grants
2022
$272K
21 grants
2021
$151K
15 grants
2020
$166K
14 grants
2019
$208K
15 grants
2018
$187K
17 grants
2017
$152K
17 grants
2016
$185K
14 grants
2015
$157K
19 grants

Top recipients

9 grants · IL · ✓ Exact match
$465K
9 grants · OH · ✓ Exact match
$241K
University of Chicago Scherer Center
4 grants · IL
$235K
National Portrait Gallery
6 grants · CT
$185K
4 grants · IL · ✓ Exact match
$136K
1 grant · CT · ✓ Exact match
$75K
University of Chicago Humanities Council
2 grants · IL
$75K
Field Museum
10 grants · IL
$72K
10 grants · IL · ✓ Exact match
$65K
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
7 grants · IL
$58K

Recipient names are as reported on the 990-PF. ✓ Exact match = EIN matched to IRS records by exact name + state; ≈ likely match = EIN inferred from a closely similar name. The recipient EIN is never stated on the form — it is DoubleNine’s match.

Recent grants · most recent filings first

Healthnetwork Foundation
GENERAL FUND
OH · TY 2024
$100K
Project Freedive
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2024
$50K
University of Chicago Scherer Center
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2024
$25K
Newberry Library
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2024
$25K
Illinois Policy Institute
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2024
$12K
Field Museum
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2024
$10K
Hellenic Museum of Michigan
GENERAL FUND
MI · TY 2024
$10K
Lyric Opera of Chicago
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2024
$10K
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2024
$10K
Friends of Music Christ Church
GENERAL FUND
VA · TY 2024
$5K
Art Institute of Chicago
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2024
$5K
Leader Dogs for the Blind
GENERAL FUND
MI · TY 2024
$5K
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2024
$5K
Providence St Mel School
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2024
$5K
Kbach Friends of Public Radio Arizona
GENERAL FUND
AZ · TY 2024
$2K
Wfmt
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2024
$1K
Salvation Army
GENERAL FUND
VA · TY 2024
$1K
The River School
GENERAL FUND
DC · TY 2024
$1K
Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society
GENERAL FUND
MI · TY 2024
$203
University of Chicago Scherer Center
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2023
$110K
Newberry Library
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2023
$36K
Healthnetwork Foundation
GENERAL FUND
OH · TY 2023
$20K
Field Museum
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2023
$10K
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2023
$10K
Lyric Opera of Chicago
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2023
$10K
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2023
$10K
Illinois Policy Institute
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2023
$10K
Hyde Park & Kenwood Interfaith Council
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2023
$5K
Providence St Mel School
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2023
$5K
Art Institute of Chicago
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2023
$5K
Leader Dogs for the Blind
GENERAL FUND
MI · TY 2023
$5K
Chicago Shakespeare Theatre
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2023
$3K
Third Coast Percussion Nfp
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2023
$2K
University of Chicago
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2023
$2K
Salvation Army
GENERAL FUND
VA · TY 2023
$1K
Museum of Chincoteague
GENERAL FUND
VA · TY 2023
$1K
Representus Education Fund
GENERAL FUND
MA · TY 2023
$1K
Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation
GENERAL FUND
NY · TY 2023
$1K
Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society
GENERAL FUND
MI · TY 2023
$1K
Wfmt
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2023
$1K
Kbach Friends of Public Radio Arizona
GENERAL FUND
AZ · TY 2023
$1K
Lifeline Theatre
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2023
$150
Ocean Connect Inc
GENERAL FUND
CT · TY 2022
$75K
University of Chicago Scherer Center
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2022
$50K
Healthnetwork Foundation
GENERAL FUND
OH · TY 2022
$40K
Newberry Library
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2022
$25K
Hyde Park & Kenwood Interfaith Council
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2022
$15K
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2022
$15K
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2022
$10K
Field Museum
GENERAL FUND
IL · TY 2022
$10K

Source: IRS Form 990-PF, Part XV. Up to 50 most recent grants shown.