Circle of Service Foundation
Circle of Service Foundation is a private, non-profit foundation based in Chicago, Illinois. Established in 1997 by Michael P. Krasny, founder of Computer Discount Warehouse (CDW), the foundation became significantly capitalized following Krasny's sale of CDW to Madison Dearborn Partners for $7.3 billion in 2007. The foundation operates as a philanthropic organization with a national scope, though with particular emphasis on its home region.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
—
Annual Giving
$37.0M
-4.2% YoY
Grant Count
637
+4.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$58K
-8.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports organizations that enhance community, opportunity, and well-being through four primary focus areas:
- Education — Supporting organizations that optimize opportunities for low-income youth to live engaged and productive lives
- Community Services — Supporting organizations in Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois that help individuals achieve stability and grow toward self-reliance and independence
- Jewish Community — Supporting organizations that generate and maintain a vibrant, cohesive, and engaging Jewish community in Chicago and the United States, with commitment to the well-being of Israel and Jewish communities around the world
- Medical Research — Supporting creative scientific research that seeks to advance cures, prevent disease, and improve health for all
The foundation also supports initiatives in environment, climate change, health care, mental health, public health, and human services more broadly.
Grantmaking
The foundation has a preference for challenge grants, which they view as "powerful tools in the fundraising toolboxes" of their grantees. The foundation also provides fundraising support to organizations through:
Grant Range
$63,269
Average Grant
$63,269
Review Cycle
- Pre-application decision time: 45 days
How to Apply
**
Ready to take the next step with Circle of Service Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Nearly all grantmaking stays within Cook and Lake Counties, Illinois. However, the foundation also makes grants to other major U.S. cities and provides support for Jewish communities and Israel internationally. The foundation funds projects across numerous cities and states throughout the United States, including Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and other major metropolitan areas.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets:
- $591,975,965 (2024)
- $592,000,000 (2024, approximate)
- $565,709,610 (2023)
- $539,006,294 (2022)
Annual Giving & Revenue:
- Total giving: $37,027,087 (2024)
- Annual giving: $38,657,147 (2023)
- Total revenues: $45,496,219 (2023)
- Total expenses: $44,465,030 (2023)
- Revenue: $35,546,858 (2024)
- Expenses: $40,704,046 (2024)
- Net income: -$5,157,188 (2024)
Liabilities:
- Total liabilities: $3.67 million (2024)
The foundation has maintained tax-exempt status since August 1994 and is classified as a 501(c)(3) organization.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | — | — | — |
| Revenue | — | — | — |
| Expenses | — | — | — |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Michael P. Krasny — Chairman of the Board (Founder)
- Adam J. Levine — President, Secretary, and Treasurer
- Kimberly Miller Rubenfeld — Vice President
- Aurora Flores Garcia — Program Director
- Daniel Jacobs — Director
The foundation employs approximately 10-13 staff members.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL P KRASNY | CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD | 1 | — |
| ADAM J LEVINE | PRESIDENT, SECRETARY, TREASURER & DIRE | 20 | — |
| KIMBERLY MILLER RUBENFELD | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT | 40 | $293,338 |
| GARY KASH | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| MICHELLE COLLINS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ALAN PATZIK | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RABBI STEVEN STARK LOWENSTEIN | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| DANIEL JACOBS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| LIANNE JACOBS | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| RON SONENTHAL | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Circle of Service Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities