Fred J Brunner Foundation
Official site for the Fred J. Brunner Foundation (Bensenville, IL). The site describes the foundation’s focus on vulnerable populations (education, shelter, hunger), yearly fall grantmaking, and gives application requirements (description, purpose, IRS determination letter, audited financials) with an August 1 deadline and contact details.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A tax-exempt nonprofit working in health, education, or services for vulnerable populations (homelessness, domestic violence, food insecurity, seniors, developmental disabilities) with an operational presence or clear impact in Illinois.
Good Fit
- • Programs addressing vulnerable populations (shelter, food, domestic violence, autism, seniors, or educational support).
- • Primary operations or demonstrable impact in Illinois or a clear Illinois-focused project.
- • Can supply an IRS determination letter and recent financial statements.
- • Seeking a grant in the typical range the foundation awards (roughly $10K–$100K).
- • Existing local partners or a prior relationship with regional funders.
Geography
Grantmaking appears regionally focused: the foundation funds recipients across nine states but about 85% of dollars went to Illinois in the latest year, indicating a strong in-state concentration with some out-of-state awards.
Recipient Variety
The latest year funded 80 distinct recipients (and 98 in a prior year) across a wide set of purposes (education, shelter, food, disability services, seniors, etc.), showing a broad and diverse recipient portfolio rather than a tiny closed circle.
New Applicants
The foundation publishes application instructions and an August 1 deadline and observed new grantees in recent years (2 in 2023, 6 in 2024), so unfamiliar applicants have a legible public path to apply even though many awards go to returning grantees.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
