The Hecktman Family Foundation concentrates its giving locally in Chicago, prioritizing Jewish community institutions and medical/therapeutic programs. Its largest gifts support direct services (free day camp for children with cancer and siblings), clinical music therapy, and neurology/neurosurgery research at major local hospitals and universities. The foundation favors institutional partners that combine community-facing programs with clinical or research excellence.
Hecktman Family Foundation’s largest recent grant, $466,986 to Jewish Community Centers of Chicago, funded a free day camp for children in cancer treatment and their siblings. That gift captures the foundation’s pattern: it backs direct services for children and families, Jewish community institutions, and medical programs tied to Chicago hospitals and universities. Recent support also includes $166,263 to The University of Chicago for music therapy, $250,000 to Northwestern Memorial Foundation for neurology research and neurosurgery programs, and $95,000 to Lurie Children’s Foundation for a cardiac fetal intervention fund. The foundation’s grantmaking mixes unrestricted support with project-based gifts and event sponsorships. It has supported both community organizations and hospital-affiliated programs, alongside annual campaign support for Jewish institutions in Chicago. Grants also extend beyond Illinois, with gifts to organizations in Washington, DC; New York; Massachusetts; Maryland; Virginia; Florida; New Jersey; and California. The recent record shows repeated support for several organizations across multiple years, including Jewish Community Centers of Chicago, The University of Chicago, Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, and Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation.
A clear theme in the portfolio is pediatric and family-centered health support. In 2025, the foundation gave $466,986 to Jewish Community Centers of Chicago for a day camp serving children in cancer treatment and their siblings at no cost to families. It also awarded $95,000 to Lurie Children’s Foundation for the cardiac fetal intervention fund, linking the grantmaking to perinatal cardiology and fetal care. Clinical and academic medical programs are another major thread. The University of Chicago received $166,263 for music therapy in 2025, after a $157,007 music therapy grant in 2023. Northwestern Memorial Foundation received $250,000 for neurology research and neurosurgery programs. The foundation also backed institutional Jewish and civic support, including $101,900 to Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago for its annual campaign and $25,000 to Youth Guidance, including support for a Bright Futures gala.
Typical grants cluster around a median of $25,000, with a lower quartile of $9,375 and an upper quartile of $48,012. The foundation combines larger anchor gifts with many mid-sized awards, including repeated installments such as The Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s 4th and final $50,000 payment on a $200,000 pledge. Several recipients appear in more than one year, including Jewish Community Centers of Chicago, The University of Chicago, Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation, Friends of Jewish La Paz, and Impact Israel. The foundation does not fund individuals and is not shown making program-related investments. The recent record also shows restricted gifts, general support, and event-linked support.
$1.1M
$509K
$294K
$1.1M
Most grants fall between $9K and $48K, with a median of $25K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$25K
75th Percentile
$48K
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Concentrated, high-dollar local giving: a small number of substantial grants (several six-figure awards), repeated support to a few core Chicago institutions rather than many small or national grants.
Notable grantees: Jewish Community Centers of Chicago, The University of Chicago (music therapy), Northwestern Memorial Foundation (neurology/neurosurgery research), Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago
Grant recipients are overwhelmingly in the United States, and 55% of grants go to organizations in Illinois. Chicago is the main local hub, with awards to The University of Chicago, Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, Lurie Children’s Foundation, Youth Guidance, and the Chicago Fire Department Foundation. Outside Illinois, the foundation also gave to Washington, DC; New York, NY; Miami, FL; Bethesda, MD; Fairfax, VA; and West Caldwell, NJ. DC stands out as the top state by grant count, reflecting repeated support for Washington-based institutions.
The recent record centers on Jewish community institutions, free therapeutic day camps for children with cancer and their siblings, clinical music therapy, and neurology and neurosurgery research. It also includes fetal cardiac intervention support, humanitarian relief for Ukraine, youth development, and medical institution support.
The foundation’s typical grant size is $25,000, with a lower quartile of $9,375 and an upper quartile of $48,012. Recent awards include both larger anchor gifts and many grants at the $25,000 level.
Yes. The recent grants list includes repeated support for Jewish Community Centers of Chicago, The University of Chicago, Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, Mount Sinai Medical Center Foundation, Friends of Jewish La Paz, and Impact Israel across 2023 and 2025.
Illinois receives 55% of grants, with Chicago appearing frequently across the recent record. Outside Illinois, Washington, DC is the top state by grant count, and the recipient list also includes organizations in New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, Florida, New Jersey, and California.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTERS OF CHICAGO | LAKE ZURICH, IL | $466,986 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN IN TREATMENT FOR CANCER AND THEIR SIBLINGS AT NO COST TO FAMILIES |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $166,263 | 2025 | MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $101,900 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT JUF ANNUAL CAMPAIGN |
| LURIE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $95,000 | 2025 | CARDIAC FETAL INTERVENTION FUND |
| THE HAROLD GRINSPOON FOUNDATION | AGAWAM, MA | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT 4th and final installment of 200,000 pledge |
| GOOD CAUSES | ALBANY, NY | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| FRIENDS OF JEWISH LA PAZ | CHICAGO, IL | $46,200 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YUTH GUIDANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $24,800 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT YOUTH GUIDANCE 2024 BRIGHT FUTURES GALA 25,000 LESS GOOD AND SERVICES OF $200 |
| IMPACT ISRAEL FKA FRIENDS OF YEMINE ORDER | Needham, MA | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| US HOLOCAUST MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTER | SKOKIE, IL | $12,000 | 2025 | 2024 HUMANITARIAN AWARDS DINNER |
| SHOLL-FREEDE FOUNDATION | WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | RESTRICTED GIFT - DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACIES |
| MOUNT SINAI MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | MIAMI BEACH, FL | $7,500 | 2025 | GIFT FUND: SOCIETY OF MOUNT SINAI |
| GEMACH HARABBONIM NFP | SKOKIE, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT LERNING PROGRAMS AND COMMUNAL SUPPORT SERVICES |
| THE TIBET FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $4,800 | 2025 | ANNUAL GALA SUPPORT IN BOBBY SAGER'S HONOR 4,800 DEDUCTIBLE OUT OF TOTAL 5,000 |
| THE DUSABLE BLACK HISTORY MUSEUM&EDUCATION CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| WHITE STORK | WINNETKA, IL | $1,800 | 2025 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTERS OF CHICAGO | NORTHBROOK, IL | $429,895 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | Chicago, IL | $250,000 | 2024 | NEUROLOGY RESEARCH NEUROSURGERY PROGRAMS |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $200,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $161,566 | 2024 | MUSIC THERAPY |
| ANN&ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $95,000 | 2024 | CARDIAC FETAL INTERVENTION FUND |
| Friends of Jewish La Paz | Chicago, IL | $70,050 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| Harold Grinspoon Foundation | Agawam, MA | $50,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| CITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $30,505 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YOUTH GUIDANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IMPACT ISRAEL (FKA FRIENDS OF YEMINE ORDER) | BETHESDA, MD | $25,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| REDWOOD SCHOOLS | CHICAGO, IL | $18,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| ChiArts | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORTCONSERVATORY ARTS PROGRAMS |
| MOUNT SINAI MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION | MIAMI BEACH, FL | $7,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| IL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM&EDUCATION CENTER | SKOKIE, IL | $6,000 | 2024 | HUMANITARIAN AWARDS DINNERGENERAL SUPPORT |
| LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER | MAYWOOD, IL | $6,000 | 2024 | BURN CENTER SUPPORTGENERAL SUPPORT |
| ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE | New York, NY | $5,000 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| RESTORE JUSTICE | CHICAGO, IL | $2,500 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE SUMBA FOUNDATION | San Clemente, CA | $1,800 | 2024 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTERS OF CHICAGO | NORTHBROOK, IL | $333,333 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | Chicago, IL | $250,000 | 2023 | NEUROLOGY RESEARCH NEUROSURGERY PROGRAMS |
| THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $157,007 | 2023 | MUSIC THERAPY |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| Harold Grinspoon Foundation | Agawam, MA | $50,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| Friends of Jewish La Paz | Chicago, IL | $47,350 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| UNITED HELP UKRAINE INC | FAIRFAX, VA | $25,000 | 2023 | UKRAINEGENERAL SUPPORT |
| IMPACT ISRAEL (FKA FRIENDS OF YEMINE ORDER) | BETHESDA, MD | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| YOUTH GUIDANCE | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| TIKVA CORP | WEST CALDWELL, NJ | $25,000 | 2023 | UKRAINEGENERAL SUPPORT |
| CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| THE SOLOMON R GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM | NEW YORK, NY | $21,460 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
| US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $15,000 | 2023 | GENERAL SUPPORT |
GENERAL SUPPORT DAY CAMP FOR CHILDREN IN TREATMENT FOR CANCER AND THEIR SIBLINGS AT NO COST TO FAMILIES
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
$166,263MUSIC THERAPY PROGRAM
GENERAL SUPPORT JUF ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
LURIE CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION
$95,000CARDIAC FETAL INTERVENTION FUND
GENERAL SUPPORT 4th and final installment of 200,000 pledge
FRIENDS OF JEWISH LA PAZ
$46,200GENERAL SUPPORT
YUTH GUIDANCE
$24,800GENERAL SUPPORT YOUTH GUIDANCE 2024 BRIGHT FUTURES GALA 25,000 LESS GOOD AND SERVICES OF $200
IMPACT ISRAEL FKA FRIENDS OF YEMINE ORDER
$15,000GENERAL SUPPORT
IL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM & EDUCATION CENTER
$12,0002024 HUMANITARIAN AWARDS DINNER
SHOLL-FREEDE FOUNDATION
$10,000RESTRICTED GIFT - DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACIES
GEMACH HARABBONIM NFP
$5,000GENERAL SUPPORT LERNING PROGRAMS AND COMMUNAL SUPPORT SERVICES
ANNUAL GALA SUPPORT IN BOBBY SAGER'S HONOR 4,800 DEDUCTIBLE OUT OF TOTAL 5,000
WHITE STORK
$1,800GENERAL SUPPORT
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$250,000NEUROLOGY RESEARCH NEUROSURGERY PROGRAMS
CARDIAC FETAL INTERVENTION FUND
Friends of Jewish La Paz
$70,050GENERAL SUPPORT
CITY OF CHICAGO
$30,505GENERAL SUPPORT
IMPACT ISRAEL (FKA FRIENDS OF YEMINE ORDER)
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
REDWOOD SCHOOLS
$18,000GENERAL SUPPORT
IL HOLOCAUST MUSEUM&EDUCATION CENTER
$6,000HUMANITARIAN AWARDS DINNERGENERAL SUPPORT
THE CHICAGO LIGHTHOUSE
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
RESTORE JUSTICE
$2,500GENERAL SUPPORT
THE SUMBA FOUNDATION
$1,800GENERAL SUPPORT
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$250,000NEUROLOGY RESEARCH NEUROSURGERY PROGRAMS
Friends of Jewish La Paz
$47,350GENERAL SUPPORT
IMPACT ISRAEL (FKA FRIENDS OF YEMINE ORDER)
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
CHICAGO FIRE DEPARTMENT FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL SUPPORT
THE SOLOMON R GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM
$21,460GENERAL SUPPORT