Frankel Julius N Foundation

About Frankel Julius N Foundation

A $1.37 million program-support grant to Northwestern Memorial Foundation is the clearest signal in Frankel Julius N Foundation’s recent giving: this is a private foundation that uses large institutional gifts to back Chicago’s medical centers, arts anchors, and safety-net nonprofits. In the latest 990 year on file, its annual grants totaled $5,066,054 against assets of $62,653,794, with giving routed entirely to U.S. recipients. The foundation’s medical support reaches beyond one institution. It also funded Childrens Hospital of Chicago Foundation, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, La Rabida Children's Hospital, and Alzheimer's Association, showing sustained attention to hospital care, rehabilitation, pediatric services, and aging-related support. Cultural institutions are another visible thread, with grants to Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Its social-service grantmaking adds a third layer, including support for Chicago House and Social Service Agency, The Night Ministry, Deborah's Place, and Lawndale Christian Legal Center. Taken together, the pattern points to established organizations with citywide reach rather than small, project-based community startups.

What Frankel Julius N Foundation Funds

Medical and care-focused grants are a major part of the foundation’s portfolio. It gave $275,000 to Childrens Hospital of Chicago Foundation for program support and $250,000 to Shirley Ryan Ability Lab for general operating purposes, alongside $100,000 to La Rabida Children's Hospital and $200,000 to Alzheimer's Association. The arts portfolio is broad across Chicago’s major institutions. Recent support includes $375,000 to Lyric Opera of Chicago, $175,000 to Chicago Symphony Orchestra, $115,000 to The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, and $100,000 each to Steppenwolf Theatre Company and Chicago Shakespeare Theater. Safety-net and human-services funding appears alongside those larger institutional gifts. The foundation gave $100,000 to Chicago House and Social Service Agency, $60,000 to The Night Ministry, $55,000 to Deborah's Place, and $110,000 to Lawndale Christian Legal Center. It also supported youth and family service providers such as Lawrence Hall Youth Services and Chicago Youth Centers.

How Frankel Julius N Foundation Gives