Illinoisans are a generous bunch when it comes to charitable causes, but not all have millions of dollars to donate. Those who do often give to organizations or institutions that made a significant impact during the course of their lives.
We've compiled a list of the largest Illinois philanthropists in 2014 thus far. In order to be on this list, the donors must live in Illinois and have given a minimum $1 million donation to an organization or institution -- either non-profit or for-profit -- within the state. Some of these gifts are bequests from individuals who have passed away.
16. David and Libby Savner
Source of wealth: Law
Cause: Colleges and Universities
Recipient: Northwestern University School of Law - Chicago
Gift value: $1 million
*David and Libby Savner's $1 million donation will aid in the construction of a classroom for technology-based instruction as well as an endowment to maintain the classroom. David Savner, who graduated from Northwestern's law school in 1968, is a partner at the Chicago-based law firm, Jenner & Block, and was formerly senior vice president, general counsel and secretary at General Dynamics Corp. -- a global defense contractor.
15. Janet Kjellstrom
Source of wealth: Investments
Cause: Social services
Recipient: United Way of Rock River Valley (Rockford, Ill.)
Gift value: $1 million
*For United Way of Rock River Valley's endowment.
14. Morris and Jane Weeden
Source of wealth: Manufacturing
Cause: Arts
Recipient: Art Institute of Chicago
Gift value (bequest): $1 million
*Morris and Jane Weeden's $1 million bequest will help establish a research fund for the Art Institute of Chicago's department of American decorative arts. Morris Weeden retired from the Chicago-based company, Morton Thiokol, which manufactures specialty chemicals and propulsion systems. Morris and Jane Weeden passed away just one month apart, in May and April 2013, respectively.
13. John and Rita Canning
Source of wealth: Finance
Cause: Colleges and Universities
Recipient: Harper College (Palatine, Ill.)
Gift value: $1 million
*Funds will be allocated toward the school's women's program, which offers support to single parents, domestic violence survivors and homemakers. John Canning is the chairman of Madison Dearborn Partners.
12. Janet Kjellstrom
Source of wealth: Investments
Cause: Social services
Recipient: United Way of Rock River Valley (Rockford, Ill.)
Gift value: $1 million
*For United Way of Rock River Valley's endowment.
11. Greenberg Family
Source of wealth: Health care
Cause: Health
Recipient: Carle Foundation (Urbana, Ill.)
Gift value: $1 million
*The Greenberg family's donation will establish the Dr. Eugene Greenberg Digestive Health Institute, which will aid in the institute's clinical care, research and education. Eugene Greenberg is a gastroenterologist at the Carle Physician Group in Urbana
10. Susan Brennan and Bob Morrison
Source of wealth: Advertising
Cause: Education
Recipient: Woodlands Academy of the Sacred (Lake Forest, Ill.)
Gift value: $1 million
*The $1 million donation will be used for the academy's endowment, where Susan Brennan Morrison graduated in 1969. She was a former executive at the Chicago-based advertising firm, DDB Needham.
9. Pat and Lou Bachrodt
Source of wealth: Retail
Cause: Education
Recipient: Boylan Catholic High School (Rockford, Ill.)
Gift value (challenge): $1 million
*Pat and Lou Bachrodt run a chain of family-owned car dealerships in Rockford. The $1 million gift was part of Boylan Catholic High School's "Imagine Campaign," which hopes to raise $10 million for school funds. Pat and Lou's father spearheaded the effort to raise $3.5 million for the initial construction of Boylan in 1960, according to Rockford Register Star.
8. Thomas and Barbara Galvin
Source of wealth: Family wealth, telecommunications
Cause: Health
Recipient: Presence Saint Joseph Hospital (Elgin, Ill.)
Gift value (bequest): $1.2 million
*Thomas Galvin's father and brother co-founded Motorola. He died in 2003, and his late wife, Barbara, passed away this year.
7. Samuel and Ann Mencoff
Source of wealth: Finance
Cause: Arts
Recipient: Art Institute of Chicago
Gift value: $2 million
*Samuel and Ann Mencoff's $2 million gift will endow a curatorial position within the department of American decorative arts at the Art Institute of Chicago. Samuel Mencoff is the co-CEO of Madison Dearborn Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm. Mencoff is also a member of the Art Institute's Board of Trustees.
6. Paul L. Ward
Source of wealth: Education
Cause: Colleges and universities
Recipient: Eastern Illinois University
Gift value (bequest): $3.7 million
*Paul Ward was a former professor of educational psychology at Eastern Illinois University; he died in June 2011. The money will provide scholarships to students majoring in counseling and student development.
Check out the top five Illinois donors to Illinois causes at Reboot Illinois.
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