Abigail & Caleb's Legacy Foundation

Wheaton, Illinois · Serving Chicagoland

Their legacy is hope, compassion, and helping others.

Abigail and Caleb Oswald filled their home with laughter, music, and endless love. This foundation carries that forward — creating life-changing moments for children and families right here in our community, inspired by the things Abigail, Caleb, and their family cherished most.

Abigail, 7, and Caleb, 6, tragically passed away on July 3, 2026. In their memory, more than $350,000 has already been given by a community determined to honor their lives and ensure that their story — and the love they inspired — lives on.

Abigail and Caleb hugging each other on a rooftop with the Chicago skyline behind them
Abigail and Caleb in downtown Chicago — the city their foundation now serves.

Our mission

To turn Abigail and Caleb's legacy of hope, compassion, and helping others into a meaningful difference in the lives of children through educational support, meaningful opportunities, and the simple but powerful feeling of knowing someone cares.

We believe giving should be personal. Rather than sending one large check to a national organization, we invest directly in the children and families in our own community. We stay close to home — throughout Chicagoland — meeting families, visiting schools and programs in person, and showing our donors exactly where their generosity went. Tangible, personal, and named.

Who we honor

Brother, sister,
best friends

Everything this foundation funds is chosen to reflect something Abigail or Caleb loved.

Abigail smiling in a pink shirt

Abigail

Age 7 · The quickest wit in the room

Abigail lived with boundless energy and a perfectly timed one-liner always ready. She loved swimming, dancing, board games, and a bucket of baseballs in the backyard. She dreamed of becoming a teacher, because she wanted to help children learn and grow.

  • T-ball
  • Swimming
  • Dancing
  • Arts & crafts
  • Future teacher
Caleb sitting in front of a bed of spring tulips

Caleb

Age 6 · Marched to the beat of his own drum

Caleb had a sweet, innocent spirit, a bright smile, and adorable dimples that could light up any room. His imagination was endless, and he found magic in the simplest places — hours in the backyard, getting dirty, creating adventures all his own.

  • Trucks
  • Music
  • Backyard adventures
  • Chick-fil-A
The Oswald family together outdoors on an autumn day

Why local

Close enough to shake a hand

We focus exclusively on the Chicagoland area for one reason: we want to show up in person. We visit the school. We walk the farm. We meet the family. That's how we see the difference your generosity makes — and how we can share those stories with you.

Every recipient goes through a simple vetting process so that funds reach children with specific, demonstrable needs.

Abigail painting her mom's face at the kitchen counter

How it works

From a gift to a named moment

  1. A need comes to our attention

    A family, teacher, school, organization, or individual may reach out for help — or we may discover a need or cause that we feel connected to and want to support.

  2. We verify the need

    We review the information provided and, when appropriate, speak with those involved or request supporting documentation to make sure the need is real and the assistance will go where it is intended.

  3. We fund it, in their names

    The gift arrives with Abigail and Caleb's name on it — a plaque, a program, a moment.

  4. We share the impact

    When appropriate and with permission, we share the story and photos so our donors can see how their generosity is making a difference in the lives of children and families.

“Even in the face of this unimaginable tragedy, we hope Caleb and Abigail's lives will continue to make a difference by helping other children for years to come.”
— The Oswald Family

Their life

Laughter, music, hugs, and endless love

See their full story

Give a child a moment they'll remember

Every dollar stays in Chicagoland and goes to a child or family we have met in person.

Abigail & Caleb's Legacy Foundation is a recognized nonprofit organization with IRS approval and its own Employer Identification Number (EIN). As a tax-exempt charitable organization, eligible donations made to the Fund are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.