The Bluhm Family Charitable Foundation concentrates its giving on large institutional gifts, primarily supporting Chicago-based medical and higher-education institutions alongside philanthropy for Jewish community needs and national policy research. The foundation makes multi-million dollar donations to flagship organizations (notably multiple grants to Northwestern-affiliated institutions), indicating a preference for institutional impact and capital or program support rather than many small awards.
Highly concentrated, few very large grants; repeat major investments in preferred institutional grantees (multiple grants to Northwestern entities) rather than broad small‑grant distribution.
Bluhm Family Charitable Foundation’s recent giving is anchored by repeated multimillion-dollar support for Northwestern Memorial Foundation, including grants of $7,025,000 in 2024, $5,025,000 in 2023, and $4,500,000 in 2025. That pattern signals a funder that backs institutional priorities at scale rather than scattering many small awards. Across its recent grants, the foundation also supports Northwestern University, the Jewish United Fund, the Milken Institute, and other Chicago-based civic and cultural organizations, with awards often framed to further each recipient’s exempt purpose. The foundation’s portfolio shows a strong preference for established organizations in Chicago and beyond, especially in medicine, higher education, Jewish communal services, policy research, and civic life. Gifts to Northwestern-affiliated institutions sit alongside support for the Chicago Community Trust, Steppenwolf Theatre Co, Choose Chicago Foundation, American Jewish Committee, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Children First Fund. Several recipients appear more than once across different years, reinforcing a multi-year relationship with select institutions rather than one-time program bets.
In academic medical center philanthropy, the foundation backed Northwestern Memorial Foundation with $7,025,000 in 2024 and $4,500,000 in 2025, both described as supporting the organization’s exempt purpose. It also gave Northwestern University $2,518,334 in 2023 and $220,000 in 2024, showing a separate line of support for the university itself. Jewish communal philanthropy is another clear thread. The Jewish United Fund received $2,650,000 in 2024, $650,000 in 2023, and the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago received $609,960 in 2025. Beyond Chicago, the foundation also supported the American Jewish Committee with $550,000 in 2024 and the American Israel Education Foundation with $225,000 in 2023. Its civic and cultural grants include $250,000 to The Chicago Community Trust in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025, plus support for Steppenwolf Theatre Co and Choose Chicago Foundation.
Typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile, while the recent grant list also shows several awards in the hundreds of thousands and millions. The pattern is relationship-based: multiple recipients appear across more than one year, including Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Jewish United Fund, Northwestern University, Steppenwolf Theatre Co, The Chicago Community Trust, Chicago Cares, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. Grants are described largely as supporting each organization’s exempt purpose.
$13M
$13.4M
$24.2M
$13.2M
Most grants fall between $10K and $50K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$50K
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Notable grantees: Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Northwestern University, Milken Institute, Jewish United Fund
Grantmaking is overwhelmingly U.S.-based, with 181 grants to U.S. recipients. Illinois is the top state by grant count, and 75% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state. Chicago appears repeatedly as the center of giving, including Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Jewish United Fund, The Chicago Community Trust, Children First Fund, Chicago Cares, and Steppenwolf Theatre Co. Outside Illinois, recurring recipients include Washington, DC organizations such as the Milken Institute, American Israel Education Foundation, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, plus recipients in New York, Philadelphia, Santa Monica, and Evanston.
Its recent grants favor medical and higher-education institutions, Jewish communal organizations, and civic or policy groups. Examples include Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Northwestern University, Jewish United Fund, the Milken Institute, The Chicago Community Trust, and Steppenwolf Theatre Co.
Repeat support is a clear pattern. Northwestern Memorial Foundation appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Jewish United Fund appears in 2023 and 2024; The Chicago Community Trust appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and Steppenwolf Theatre Co also appears across multiple years.
Typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $25,000 at the median, and $50,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also includes much larger institutional awards, including several grants above $1 million.
Illinois is the top state by grant count, and 75% of grants go to recipients in the headquarters state. Chicago organizations make up a large share of the list, including Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Jewish United Fund, The Chicago Community Trust, and Chicago Cares.
The grant descriptions are usually framed as supporting the recipient’s exempt purpose or furthering the exempt purpose of the organization. That wording appears across gifts to Northwestern Memorial Foundation, Milken Institute, University of Pennsylvania, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $4,500,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MILKEN INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $4,000,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $700,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $609,960 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART | NEW YORK, NY | $500,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| STEPPENWOLF THEATRE CO | CHICAGO, IL | $275,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE CHICAGO COMMUNITY TRUST | CHICAGO, IL | $250,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $250,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO CARES | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $125,790 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ONEGOAL | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HORIZONS NATIONAL STUDENT ENRICHMENT PROGRAM INC | WESTPORT, CT | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| YOUTH GUIDANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CENTRAL FUND OF ISRAEL | CEDARHURST, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BRIGHT STAR COMMUNITY OUTREACH | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DIGESTIVE HEALTH FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ACCESS LIVING | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GLENKIRK FOUNDATION | NORTHBROOK, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $49,600 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SOUTH FLORIDA SCIENCE CENTER AND AQUARIUM INC | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $48,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE STUDIO MUSEUM IN HARLEM | NEW YORK, NY | $42,200 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| YOUTH JOB CENTER INC | EVANSTON, IL | $30,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HARRIS THEATER FOR MUSIC AND DANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAN BRAIN TUMOR ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTER | SKOKIE, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MERIT SCHOOL OF MUSIC | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HELPHOPELIVE INC | RADNOR, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE DOVETAIL PROJECT | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| INVEST FOR KIDS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE PHILHARMONIC SYMPHONY SOCIETY OF NEW YORK | NEW YORK, NY | $24,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| INTRINSIC SCHOOLS | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WTTW AND WFMT | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GATEWAY FOR CANCER RESEARCH INC | SCHAUMBURG, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHILD MIND INSTITUTE | NEW YORK, NY | $15,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| INTONATION MUSIC WORKSHOP | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MARCH TO THE TOP - AFRICA | WOODLAND HILLS, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NORTH SUBURBAN LEGAL AID CLINIC | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ESPERANZA HEALTH CENTERS | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DIGNITAS UKRAINE INC | CRANFORD, NJ | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| LYNN SAGE BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MARWEN FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HUNTINGTON BEACH POLICE OFFICERS' FOUNDATION | HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GUITARS OVER GUNS | MIAMI, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$4,500,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
$500,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART CHICAGO
$125,790TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
HORIZONS NATIONAL STUDENT ENRICHMENT PROGRAM INC
$100,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$100,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
DIGESTIVE HEALTH FOUNDATION
$50,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ACCESS LIVING
$50,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SOUTH FLORIDA SCIENCE CENTER AND AQUARIUM INC
$48,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
HARRIS THEATER FOR MUSIC AND DANCE
$25,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTER
$25,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
THE DOVETAIL PROJECT
$25,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
WTTW AND WFMT
$15,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
GATEWAY FOR CANCER RESEARCH INC
$15,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
DIGNITAS UKRAINE INC
$10,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
HUNTINGTON BEACH POLICE OFFICERS' FOUNDATION
$10,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION