The Graber Family Foundation concentrates its giving on higher education through sustained support for an endowed graduate fellowship at the University of Illinois. All recorded grants fund the Doris A. Graber Endowed Graduate Fellowship, indicating a targeted interest in graduate student support likely tied to the donor’s family legacy or academic affiliation.
Graber Family Foundation C/o Dr Lee Graber’s grantmaking is anchored by a recurring $80,000 annual commitment to the Doris A. Graber Endowed Graduate Fellowship at the University of Illinois Foundation, a pattern that appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025. That fellowship sits at the center of a broader, family-linked portfolio that also reaches biomedical education and research, political science, study abroad, the arts, and civic organizations. The foundation’s recent giving includes a separate biomedical research and teaching award through the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation, suggesting a strong connection to academic and professional education. It also supports named funds at the University of Illinois Foundation tied to the College of Dentistry and to political science, alongside unrestricted gifts to community and policy organizations. Grants are often made at the $5,000 to $15,000 level, but the portfolio includes larger commitments for endowed support and institutional funds. Across the record, the foundation combines recurring support for university-based programs with discretionary gifts to select nonprofits.
Higher education is the clearest thread in the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2023, it gave $30,000 to the University of Illinois Foundation for the UIC Richard M Johnson and Karen A Egerer LAS Study Abroad Scholarship Fund, extending its support beyond graduate aid to international study opportunities. The same grantee later received $20,000 in 2024 and $20,000 in 2025 for the Graber Room-College of Dentistry, linking the foundation to facility support within the university. Another education-related grant went to Washington University, which received $18,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025 for the Adeline & TM Graber Poetry Prize Fund. The foundation also supports civic education and policy work through the University of Illinois Foundation’s Dick W. Simpson Political Science Fund for the Future of Chicago, which received $15,000 in 2023.
Grant size clusters around the middle of the distribution: p25 is $5,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $15,000. The foundation also makes repeated multi-year awards rather than one-off gifts; several named funds appear in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Its structure is that of a family foundation, and it funds individuals. Program-related investments are not used. The record shows a mix of restricted named funds and unrestricted contributions, with the named university commitments forming the clearest recurring pattern.
$1.2M
$5.9M
$628K
$466K
Most grants fall between $5K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
About 43% of grants go to recipients in CA.
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Highly concentrated giving: few, repeated gifts to a single institutional grantee (University of Illinois Foundation) directed toward an endowed fellowship rather than broad, diversified grants.
Notable grantees: University of Illinois Foundation
The foundation gives nationally, but all recorded grants in the sample go to US recipients. Illinois is the top giving state by grant count, and 43% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Chicago appears frequently through the University of Illinois Foundation and the Environmental Law and Policy Center. Other recurring recipient cities include St. Louis, with Washington University and the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation, and Skokie, through North Light Theater. Grants also reach Coronado, Milwaukee, Tampa, and Washington, DC.
Higher education is the most visible thread, especially through the University of Illinois Foundation. Recent grants include $80,000 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025 for the Doris A. Graber Endowed Graduate Fellowship, plus support for the College of Dentistry, a study abroad scholarship fund, and a political science fund.
Yes. Several awards recur in 2023, 2024, and 2025, including the Doris A. Graber Endowed Graduate Fellowship at $80,000 each year, the Graber Family Biomedical Research and Teaching Award, and the Adeline & TM Graber Poetry Prize Fund.
Recipients include universities and university foundations, professional foundations, arts groups, policy organizations, and charities. Examples in the recent record include the University of Illinois Foundation, Washington University, the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation, Citizens' Climate Education, North Light Theater, and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is centered in the middle range: p25 is $5,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $15,000. Larger, recurring commitments also appear, such as $80,000 annual grants for the Doris A. Graber Endowed Graduate Fellowship.
Its grantmaking is national, with 100% of recorded grants going to US recipients. Illinois is the top state by grant count, and 43% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Chicago is the most visible recipient city in the recent grants list.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $80,000 | 2025 | DORIS A GRABER ENDOWED GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $40,000 | 2025 | GRABER FAMILY BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND TEACHING AWARD |
| CITIZENS' CLIMATE EDUCATION | CORONADO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2025 | GRABER ROOM-COLLEGE OF DENTISTRYGRABER ROOM-COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $18,000 | 2025 | ADELINE & TM GRABER POETRY PRIZE FUND |
| NORTH LIGHT THEATER | SKOKIE, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA | TAMPA, FL | $15,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF EASTERN WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $15,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSESWILD |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $11,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| FEEDING AMERICA | CHICAGO, IL | $11,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| WTTW | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| PROPUBLICA | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | DICK W. SIMPSON POLITICAL SCIENCE FUND FOR THE FUTURE OF CHICAGO |
| CMSS-SENIOR CONNECTIONS | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| NATIONAL RESOURCE DEFENSE COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| DIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOUNDATION | HOLLYWOOD, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| GOODMAN THEATER | CHICAGO, IL | $6,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | AMERICUS, GA | $6,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $6,000 | 2025 | WIRTZ CENTER |
| DISABLED AMERICAN VETERAN'S CHARITABLE SERVICE TRUST | COLD SPRING, KY | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN | GLENCOE, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| ALEX'S LEMONADE STAND FOUNDATION | BALA CYNWYD, PA | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY | BRONX, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| MEALS ON WHEELS OF NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS | EVANSTON, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| CITY YEAR INC | DORCHESTER, MA | $3,000 | 2025 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | UIC RICHARD M JOHNSON AND KAREN A EGERER LAS STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP FUND |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $80,000 | 2024 | DORIS A GRABER ENDOWED GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP |
| AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $40,000 | 2024 | GRABER FAMILY BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND TEACHING AWARD |
| CITIZENS' CLIMATE EDUCATION | CORONADO, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2024 | GRABER ROOM-COLLEGE OF DENTISTRYGRABER ROOM-COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY |
| WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY | ST LOUIS, MO | $18,000 | 2024 | ADELINE & TM GRABER POETRY PRIZE FUND |
| ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $17,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| NORTH LIGHT THEATER | SKOKIE, IL | $15,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF EASTERN WISCONSIN | MILWAUKEE, WI | $15,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSESWILD |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA | TAMPA, FL | $13,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| PROPUBLICA | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | .CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| FEEDING AMERICA | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | DICK W. SIMPSON POLITICAL SCIENCE FUND FOR THE FUTURE OF CHICAGO |
| DIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOUNDATION | HOLLYWOOD, FL | $10,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| WTTW | CHICAGO, IL | $9,500 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $9,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| NATIONAL RESOURCE DEFENSE COUNCIL | NEW YORK, NY | $9,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| HABITAT FOR HUMANITY | AMERICUS, GA | $5,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
| DISABLED AMERICAN VETERAN'S CHARITABLE SERVICE TRUST | COLD SPRING, KY | $5,000 | 2024 | CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES |
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
$80,000DORIS A GRABER ENDOWED GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS FOUNDATION
$40,000GRABER FAMILY BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND TEACHING AWARD
CITIZENS' CLIMATE EDUCATION
$25,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY CENTER
$20,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
$20,000GRABER ROOM-COLLEGE OF DENTISTRYGRABER ROOM-COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
$18,000ADELINE & TM GRABER POETRY PRIZE FUND
NORTH LIGHT THEATER
$15,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA
$15,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF EASTERN WISCONSIN
$15,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSESWILD
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION
$11,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
FEEDING AMERICA
$11,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
WTTW
$10,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$10,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FOUNDATION
$10,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
PROPUBLICA
$10,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
$10,000DICK W. SIMPSON POLITICAL SCIENCE FUND FOR THE FUTURE OF CHICAGO
CMSS-SENIOR CONNECTIONS
$10,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
NATIONAL RESOURCE DEFENSE COUNCIL
$10,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
DIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOUNDATION
$10,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
GOODMAN THEATER
$6,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$6,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
$6,000WIRTZ CENTER
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERAN'S CHARITABLE SERVICE TRUST
$5,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY
$5,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN
$5,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
ALEX'S LEMONADE STAND FOUNDATION
$5,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY
$5,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
MEALS ON WHEELS OF NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS
$5,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
CITY YEAR INC
$3,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
$2,000UIC RICHARD M JOHNSON AND KAREN A EGERER LAS STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP FUND
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
$80,000DORIS A GRABER ENDOWED GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ORTHODONTISTS FOUNDATION
$40,000GRABER FAMILY BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH AND TEACHING AWARD
CITIZENS' CLIMATE EDUCATION
$25,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
$20,000GRABER ROOM-COLLEGE OF DENTISTRYGRABER ROOM-COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
$18,000ADELINE & TM GRABER POETRY PRIZE FUND
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND POLICY CENTER
$17,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
NORTH LIGHT THEATER
$15,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF EASTERN WISCONSIN
$15,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSESWILD
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF AMERICA
$13,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
PROPUBLICA
$10,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION
$10,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
$10,000.CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
FEEDING AMERICA
$10,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS FOUNDATION
$10,000DICK W. SIMPSON POLITICAL SCIENCE FUND FOR THE FUTURE OF CHICAGO
DIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOUNDATION
$10,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
WTTW
$9,500CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FOUNDATION
$9,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
NATIONAL RESOURCE DEFENSE COUNCIL
$9,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
$5,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERAN'S CHARITABLE SERVICE TRUST
$5,000CONTRIBUTIONS FOR UNRESTRICTED PURPOSES