The Chern Family Foundation concentrates its giving on a small set of large gifts that mix health advocacy, local Chicago community improvement, Jewish/Israel causes, and international poverty-alleviation. Major grants are directed to national disease advocacy (notably autism), repeated support for a Chicago-focused nonprofit, synagogue operations, and global microfinance. The portfolio shows a preference for a few high-dollar, mission-driven recipients rather than many small awards.
Concentrated, high-dollar grants to a small number of organizations; mix of repeat support (A Better Chicago) and one-off large gifts; funding spans local (Chicago), national, and international beneficiaries.
A single 2025 grant of $747,985 to Autism Speaks stands out in the Chern Family Foundation’s recent record and captures the scale of its giving. The foundation combines very large gifts with a relatively small roster of recipients, and its portfolio links health advocacy, Chicago community improvement, Jewish communal support, and international economic empowerment. That mix appears across repeated awards to A Better Chicago, alongside support for groups such as Temple Jeremiah and the American Israel Education Foundation. The foundation’s recent grants also show continuity rather than a scattershot pattern. Autism Speaks appears more than once, as do A Better Chicago, Camp Out for Kids, Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, Jewish United Fund, and American Red Magen David. In that same period, the foundation backed FINCA International Inc. for microfinance and economic empowerment, and directed gifts to Jewish and Israel-related organizations in Chicago, New York, and Washington, DC. The overall profile is one of targeted, mission-driven giving through direct donations to tax-exempt organizations.
Autism-related advocacy is the clearest single cause area in the recent grants. The foundation gave $747,985 to Autism Speaks in 2025, then added $62,000 in 2023 and $21,500 in 2024 to the same organization. Chicago civic and educational work is another recurring theme. A Better Chicago received $115,826 in 2024, $114,073 in 2023, and $104,151 in 2025, showing repeated support across multiple years. Jewish communal and Israel-focused giving also appears in several directions. The foundation gave $100,061 to Temple Jeremiah in 2023, $100,940 in 2024 and $50,172 in 2025 to the American Israel Education Foundation, and $10,000 in 2025 to Jewish United Fund. International poverty alleviation is represented by $148,452 to Finca International Inc. in 2025 and $49,877 to Finca in 2023.
Typical grants fall around a median of $18,250, with the middle half running from $10,000 at the 25th percentile to $59,043 at the 75th percentile. The distribution is pulled upward by a few much larger gifts, including one award well above the rest. Recent grants show repeat relationships across years: A Better Chicago, Autism Speaks, Camp Out for Kids, Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, Jewish United Fund, American Israel Education Foundation, American Red Magen David, and Camp Thunderbird Charitable Foundation each appear more than once. The foundation gives direct donations toward exempt purposes and uses flexible support across tax-exempt organizations; the record does not show an application process.
$1.1M
$844K
$1.1M
$1.1M
Most grants fall between $10K and $59K, with a median of $18K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$18K
75th Percentile
$59K
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Notable grantees: Autism Speaks, A Better Chicago, FINCA International, American Israel Education Foundation, Temple Jeremiah
Although the foundation gives nationally, its recipients cluster in a few places. Illinois accounts for 53% of grants, with Chicago appearing repeatedly through A Better Chicago, Camp Out for Kids, Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago, Jewish United Fund, Just the Beginning, Aspiretech, and the University of Illinois Foundation. Washington, DC is the top state by grant count, reflecting grants to Finca International Inc. and the American Israel Education Foundation. New York also appears through American Red Magen David and Central Fund of Israel, while New Jersey shows up via Autism Speaks. All recent grants in the dataset went to US recipients.
The recent grants show a mix of autism advocacy, Chicago community improvement, Jewish communal and Israel-related work, and international microfinance. Recurring recipients include Autism Speaks, A Better Chicago, American Israel Education Foundation, Jewish United Fund, Finca International Inc., and American Red Magen David.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including A Better Chicago in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Autism Speaks in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago in 2023, 2024, and 2025; and American Israel Education Foundation in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
The typical grant size is $18,250 at the median. The middle half of grants runs from $10,000 at the 25th percentile to $59,043 at the 75th percentile, showing that many gifts are in the five-figure range even though the foundation also makes much larger awards.
The foundation gives nationally, but Illinois receives 53% of grants. Chicago appears often in the recent grants, while Washington, DC is the top state by grant count. New York, New Jersey, and Minnesota also appear among recipient locations.
The largest recent grant is $747,985 to Autism Speaks in 2025. Other large gifts in the record include $148,452 to Finca International Inc. and several awards near or above $100,000, including multiple grants to A Better Chicago and the American Israel Education Foundation.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUTISM SPEAKS | NEW YORK, NY | $327,670 | 2026 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THIRD WAY INSTITUTE | WASHINGTON, DC | $250,899 | 2026 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| A BETTER CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $126,690 | 2026 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $102,698 | 2026 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $102,292 | 2026 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FINCA INTERNATIONAL INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,621 | 2026 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CAMP OUT FOR KIDS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CHILDRENS HOSPITAL CHICAGO FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $10,250 | 2026 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ISRAEL CANCER RESEARCH FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $5,500 | 2026 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE GIVING BACK FUND | BOSTON, MA | $5,113 | 2026 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| BETHEL UNITED MINISTRIES | EVANSTON, IL | $3,604 | 2026 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AUTISM SPEAKS | PRINCETON, NJ | $747,985 | 2025 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FINCA INTERNATIONAL INC | WASHINGTON, DC | $148,452 | 2025 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| A BETTER CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $104,151 | 2025 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,172 | 2025 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CENTRAL FUND OF ISRAEL | CEDARHURST, NY | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CAMP OUT FOR KIDS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN RED MAGEN DAVID | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHAMPAIGN, IL | $6,000 | 2025 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ANTICRUELTY SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| A BETTER CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $115,826 | 2024 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,940 | 2024 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CAMP OUT FOR KIDS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2024 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN RED MAGEN DAVID | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2024 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AUTISM SPEAKS | PRINCETON, NJ | $21,500 | 2024 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| MERCAZ ACADEMY | PLAINVIEW, NY | $10,018 | 2024 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CAMP THUNDERBIRD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2024 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | SKOKIE, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ASPIRETECH | EVANSTON, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| A BETTER CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $114,073 | 2023 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| TEMPLE JEREMIAH | NORTHFIELD, IL | $100,061 | 2023 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $100,000 | 2023 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| AUTISM SPEAKS | PRINCETON, NJ | $62,000 | 2023 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FINCA | WASHINGTON, DC | $49,877 | 2023 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CAMP OUT FOR KIDS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2023 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| EPILEPSY FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2023 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JUST THE BEGINNING | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2023 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CAMP THUNDERBIRD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | MINNEAPOLIS, MN | $10,000 | 2023 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| FOUNDATION TO BE NAMED LATER | BOSTON, MA | $3,000 | 2023 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| JENNIFER LYNN SNYDER TEEN HEART FOUNDATION | NORTHBROOK, IL | $2,500 | 2023 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION INC | ATLANTA, GA | $1,500 | 2023 | DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE |
AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$102,698DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$102,292DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
CAMP OUT FOR KIDS
$25,000DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
GIGI'S PLAYHOUSE CHICAGO
$5,000DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
BETHEL UNITED MINISTRIES
$3,604DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
AUTISM SPEAKS
$747,985DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$50,172DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
CAMP OUT FOR KIDS
$25,000DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$100,940DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
CAMP OUT FOR KIDS
$25,000DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
MERCAZ ACADEMY
$10,018DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
CAMP THUNDERBIRD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$10,000DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM
$10,000DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
ASPIRETECH
$5,000DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
TEMPLE JEREMIAH
$100,061DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
AMERICAN ISRAEL EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$100,000DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
FINCA
$49,877DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
CAMP OUT FOR KIDS
$25,000DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
CAMP THUNDERBIRD CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
$10,000DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
FOUNDATION TO BE NAMED LATER
$3,000DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE
JENNIFER LYNN SNYDER TEEN HEART FOUNDATION
$2,500DONATION TOWARDS EXEMPT PURPOSE