Mazza Foundation

The Mazza Foundation operates as a family-directed private foundation governed by the Rubinelli and Lavezzorio families, distributing approximately $2.1 million annually across roughly 35 carefully selected grantees. Rather than accepting unsolicited proposals, the foundation appears to identify and cultivate long-term partnerships with Chicago-area institutions aligned with its Catholic values and commitment to education, healthcare, and social services. The foundation has maintained relationships with core grantees like Big Shoulders Fund and Lurie Children's Hospital for decades, suggesting a relationship-driven approach where trust and mission alignment are paramount. Prospective applicants should focus on building connections through the foundation's existing network of Catholic and civic institutions in Chicago rather than cold outreach. The foundation's 50+ year track record and zero liabilities indicate conservative, sustainable financial management that prioritizes consistent annual giving over dramatic fluctuations.

The Mazza Foundation demonstrates remarkably consistent grantmaking patterns, distributing 34-44 grants annually from 2020-2024 with total giving steady around $2 million. Grant sizes follow a clear tiered structure: anchor grants of $250,000-$300,000 go to flagship partners (Big Shoulders Fund, Lurie Children's Hospital, Misericordia Foundation); mid-tier grants of $50,000-$200,000 support universities and established nonprofits (DePaul University at $200,000, Arrupe College at $125,000); and smaller grants of $10,000-$40,000 fund cultural and community organizations. The foundation's $33.6 million asset base generates returns primarily through dividends ($809K) and asset sales ($1.9M), with zero debt and no officer compensation, meaning virtually all income flows to charitable purposes. The 2024 fiscal year showed $2.09 million in grants against $2.73 million in revenue, indicating the foundation is maintaining its corpus while distributing generously. Funding cycles appear annual with decisions likely made by the small family board.

The Mazza Foundation occupies a distinctive niche among mid-size Chicago private foundations. Here is how it compares to peers:

The Mazza Foundation stands out for its unusually high payout rate relative to assets (approximately 6.3%, well above the 5% minimum required of private foundations), its zero administrative overhead from officer compensation, and its concentrated focus on Catholic institutions. While peer foundations like Field Foundation emphasize systemic change and Polk Bros operates at much larger scale, the Mazza Foundation delivers outsized impact per dollar through deep, long-term partnerships with a select group of Chicago institutions.

In 2024, the Mazza Foundation distributed $2,092,500 across 35 grants, continuing its steady commitment to Chicago-area institutions. The foundation's flagship programs remain active: the Neuromuscular Program at Lurie Children's Hospital (named after the foundation) continues providing interdisciplinary care for children with neuromuscular disorders under Dr. Nancy Kuntz, and the DePaul University scholarship pipeline keeps supporting students from Big Shoulders Fund Catholic high schools. The Early High School Bridge Program, launched in 2019 with 23 students, has expanded significantly with 75+ participants from 25+ Big Shoulders schools, achieving 100% participant satisfaction in school readiness. The foundation added Northwestern Memorial Foundation ($250,000 for precision neurology) as a major grantee in recent years, signaling growing interest in advanced medical research. Notable is the foundation's support for Red Cloud Indian School in South Dakota ($50,000), one of its few out-of-state grants, reflecting a commitment to Native American education. The foundation's original website (mazza.org) is no longer active, and there is no public application portal, consistent with its invitation-only grantmaking model.

Securing funding from the Mazza Foundation requires understanding its invitation-only, relationship-driven model. The foundation does not maintain a public website or open application process, so traditional grant applications are unlikely to succeed. Instead, consider these strategies: (1) Build connections through the foundation's existing grantee network — organizations like Big Shoulders Fund, DePaul University, and Lurie Children's Hospital can provide introductions and context about the foundation's priorities. (2) Align your mission with the foundation's core values: Catholic education, children's healthcare, youth development, and Chicago-area cultural enrichment. Projects that serve Catholic school students, children with medical needs, or underserved Chicago communities have the strongest track record. (3) Demonstrate long-term institutional stability — the Mazza Foundation favors multi-year partnerships over one-time grants, so present a sustainable operating model. (4) Contact the foundation directly at 312-855-4055 or by mail at 120 S Riverside Plz Ste 1700, Chicago, IL 60606 with a concise letter of inquiry rather than a full proposal. (5) Frame requests within the $5,000-$300,000 range, with new relationships more likely to start at the lower end before scaling up over time.