The Bernard Heerey Family Foundation concentrates its grantmaking on nonprofit elder care in the Chicago area, directing substantial gifts to organizations that provide housing, services, and assistance for older adults. Grants are primarily to faith-affiliated senior service providers (notably Jewish and Catholic institutions), indicating a preference for mission-driven eldercare charities. The foundation makes few, large grants rather than many small ones, and it repeats support to the same organizations.
Highly concentrated: five large grants totaling $1.67M, with most dollars directed to three repeat grantees; preference for major gifts to core beneficiaries rather than dispersed small grants.
Bernard Heerey Family Foundation’s largest recent grants point to a clear pattern: the foundation backs elder care and student support through a small set of repeated Chicago-area recipients. In the recent grant list, Council for Jewish Elderly received $541,809 in 2023, while Cje Senior Life received $334,931 in 2025, both for assistance to the elderly. The same grantmaking pattern appears in education, where Ida Crown Jewish Academy received multiple awards across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including $241,000 in 2025 and several earlier grants above $200,000. The foundation also supports institutions serving older adults across faith traditions, including Little Sisters of the Poor, The Ark, and Benedictine Sisters of Chicago. Its education grants are tied to scholarships and fellowships rather than broad institutional support, with awards also going to De La Salle Institute, Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School, Solomon Schechter Day School, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School, and the University of Chicago Law School. The result is a grant portfolio centered on long-term relationships with local organizations serving seniors and students.
Assistance to the elderly is the foundation’s most visible funding area. It gave $264,960 in 2023 and $260,400 in 2025 to Little Sisters of the Poor, and $240,000 in 2025 plus $220,000 in 2023 to The Ark, both in Chicago. It also supported Cje Senior Life with $143,636 in 2025. In education, the foundation backed scholarship aid to Ida Crown Jewish Academy with multiple grants across three years, including $241,000 in 2025 and $232,200 in 2024. It also supported De La Salle Institute with $244,700 in 2023 and $211,650 in 2024, and Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School with $200,000 in 2025. Graduate-level support appears as well: the University of Chicago Law School received a $150,000 fellowship grant in 2023.
Typical grants cluster in the low-to-mid six figures: the 25th percentile is $72,000, the median is $102,373, and the 75th percentile is $196,025. The foundation gives repeatedly to the same organizations across multiple years, especially in Chicago-area elder care and scholarship support. Its pattern is concentrated rather than broad, with large, targeted awards instead of many small ones. It is structured as a family foundation, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments.
$3.7M
$56.3M
$6.6M
$6.2M
Most grants fall between $72K and $196K, with a median of $102K.
25th Percentile
$72K
Median
$102K
75th Percentile
$196K
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Notable grantees: Council for Jewish Elderly, Little Sisters of the Poor, CJE Senior Life
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly local and centered in Illinois. Recipients in Illinois account for 96% of grants, and the top recipient city in the recent list is Chicago, with additional awards going to Skokie and Northbrook. The only recipient country represented is the United States, with 78 grants. The pattern is especially concentrated in the Chicago area rather than spread across multiple states or countries.
The foundation supports nonprofit elder care providers and scholarship or fellowship funding for students. Recent grants went to organizations serving older adults, including Council for Jewish Elderly, Cje Senior Life, Little Sisters of the Poor, The Ark, and Benedictine Sisters of Chicago, along with schools and a law school for student aid.
Typical grants are fairly large: the 25th percentile is $72,000, the median is $102,373, and the 75th percentile is $196,025. Recent awards include several gifts above $200,000, especially for elder care and school-based scholarship support.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years. Ida Crown Jewish Academy received awards in 2023, 2024, and 2025; The Ark received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Little Sisters of the Poor also received support in more than one year.
Its grantmaking is concentrated in Illinois. The data shows 96% of grants to recipients in the HQ state, and the recent grant list is dominated by Chicago, with additional Illinois recipients in Skokie and Northbrook.
The foundation funds scholarships and fellowships for worthy students. Recent examples include scholarship grants to De La Salle Institute, Ida Crown Jewish Academy, Hillel Torah North Suburban Day School, Solomon Schechter Day School, Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, and Akiba-Schechter Jewish Day School, plus a fellowship grant to the University of Chicago Law School.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CJE SENIOR LIFE | CHICAGO, IL | $334,931 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR | CHICAGO, IL | $260,400 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| IDA CROWN JEWISH ACADEMY | SKOKIE, IL | $241,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| THE ARK | CHICAGO, IL | $240,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| IDA CROWN JEWISH ACADEMY | SKOKIE, IL | $212,200 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| HILLEL TORAH NORTH SUBURBAN DAY SCHOOL | SKOKIE, IL | $200,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL | NORTHBROOK, IL | $177,500 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $176,700 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| AKIBA-SCHECHTER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $164,860 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| BENEDICTINE SISTERS OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| CJE SENIOR LIFE | CHICAGO, IL | $143,636 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| DE LA SALLE INSTITUTE | CHICAGO, IL | $138,310 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| THE SELFHELP HOME | CHICAGO, IL | $130,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| CHICAGO JEWISH DAY SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $122,195 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LAW SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $122,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LAW SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $120,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| CHICAGO CENTER FOR TORAH & CHESED INC | LINCOLNWOOD, IL | $115,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| HIGHSIGHT | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| ARIE CROWN HEBREW DAY SCHOOL | SKOKIE, IL | $85,580 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| CHEDER LUBAVITCH HEBREW DAY SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $80,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO-UIUC HILLEL | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $80,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| CHABAD OF CHAMPAIGN-URBANA NFP | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $80,000 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| THE SOCIETY OF THE SISTERS OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY | WILMETTE, IL | $75,000 | 2025 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| REGINA DOMINICAN HIGH SCHOOL | WILMETTE, IL | $61,663 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| MUNDELEIN SEMINARY | MUNDELEIN, IL | $57,983 | 2025 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| TAMID ISRAEL INVESTMENT GROUP | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $24,000 | 2025 | FELLOWSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| COUNCIL FOR JEWISH ELDERLY | CHICAGO, IL | $272,496 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| IDA CROWN JEWISH ACADEMY | SKOKIE, IL | $232,200 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| IDA CROWN JEWISH ACADEMY | SKOKIE, IL | $212,200 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| DE LA SALLE INSTITUTE | CHICAGO, IL | $211,650 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR | CHICAGO, IL | $201,600 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| THE ARK | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| HILLEL TORAH NORTH SUBURBAN DAY SCHOOL | SKOKIE, IL | $180,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL | NORTHBROOK, IL | $162,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| CHICAGO JEWISH DAY SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $117,500 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| COUNCIL FOR JEWISH ELDERLY | CHICAGO, IL | $111,220 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| BENEDICTINE SISTERS OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $104,446 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LAW SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| AKIBA-SCHECHTER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $98,280 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $97,350 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| CHICAGO CENTER FOR TORAH & CHESED INC | LINCOLNWOOD, IL | $90,000 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| THE SELFHELP HOME | CHICAGO, IL | $83,000 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| HIGHSIGHT | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| CHEDER LUBAVITCH HEBREW DAY SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $72,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| CHABAD OF CHAMPAIGN-URBANA NFP | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $68,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| REGINA DOMINICAN HIGH SCHOOL | WILMETTE, IL | $62,850 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| ARIE CROWN HEBREW DAY SCHOOL | SKOKIE, IL | $60,635 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| THE SOCIETY OF THE SISTERS OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY | WILMETTE, IL | $50,000 | 2024 | ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY |
| UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO LAW SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $48,000 | 2024 | FELLOWSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
| GARRETT EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY | EVANSTON, IL | $38,000 | 2024 | SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS |
LITTLE SISTERS OF THE POOR
$260,400ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY
IDA CROWN JEWISH ACADEMY
$241,000SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
IDA CROWN JEWISH ACADEMY
$212,200SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
HILLEL TORAH NORTH SUBURBAN DAY SCHOOL
$200,000SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL
$177,500SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$176,700SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
AKIBA-SCHECHTER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL
$164,860SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
BENEDICTINE SISTERS OF CHICAGO
$150,000ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY
DE LA SALLE INSTITUTE
$138,310SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
THE SELFHELP HOME
$130,000ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY
CHICAGO CENTER FOR TORAH & CHESED INC
$115,000ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY
ARIE CROWN HEBREW DAY SCHOOL
$85,580SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
CHEDER LUBAVITCH HEBREW DAY SCHOOL
$80,000SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
JEWISH FEDERATION OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO-UIUC HILLEL
$80,000SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
CHABAD OF CHAMPAIGN-URBANA NFP
$80,000SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
THE SOCIETY OF THE SISTERS OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY
$75,000ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY
REGINA DOMINICAN HIGH SCHOOL
$61,663SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
MUNDELEIN SEMINARY
$57,983SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
IDA CROWN JEWISH ACADEMY
$232,200SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
IDA CROWN JEWISH ACADEMY
$212,200SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
DE LA SALLE INSTITUTE
$211,650SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
HILLEL TORAH NORTH SUBURBAN DAY SCHOOL
$180,000SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOL
$162,500SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
BENEDICTINE SISTERS OF CHICAGO
$104,446ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY
AKIBA-SCHECHTER JEWISH DAY SCHOOL
$98,280SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
CRISTO REY JESUIT HIGH SCHOOL
$97,350SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
CHICAGO CENTER FOR TORAH & CHESED INC
$90,000ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY
THE SELFHELP HOME
$83,000ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY
CHEDER LUBAVITCH HEBREW DAY SCHOOL
$72,000SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
CHABAD OF CHAMPAIGN-URBANA NFP
$68,000SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
REGINA DOMINICAN HIGH SCHOOL
$62,850SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
ARIE CROWN HEBREW DAY SCHOOL
$60,635SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS
THE SOCIETY OF THE SISTERS OF CHRISTIAN CHARITY
$50,000ASSISTANCE TO THE ELDERLY
GARRETT EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
$38,000SCHOLARSHIPS TO WORTHY STUDENTS