The James and Lesley Anixter Foundation focuses its giving exclusively on supporting the Jewish community in the Chicago area by funding the central federation. All recorded grants were directed to the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, likely as general or unrestricted support to further the donee's mission. The foundation appears to channel its philanthropy through a single umbrella organization rather than funding many direct-service agencies.
Highly concentrated: all recorded giving went to one recipient (Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago) across multiple grants, suggesting repeat, unrestricted support to a federation rather than diversified or project-specific grants.
The James and Lesley Anixter Foundation C/o James Anixter channels its giving through a small set of Jewish and community institutions, with the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago receiving the largest recent grants at $100,000 in 2025, $77,000 in 2024, and $50,000 in 2023. That pattern points to a foundation that favors sustained support for a central umbrella organization rather than a wide array of unrelated recipients. Across the recent grant list, the foundation also backed institutions tied to Jewish communal life, youth services, health, legal aid, and Holocaust education. Chicago and nearby North Shore communities appear frequently, but the grant list also includes organizations in Washington, DC; New York; West Palm Beach; and other Illinois locations. The foundation’s giving appears mission-driven and repeated over time. Several recipients received grants in multiple years, including Am Shalom, Jewish Council for Youth Services, Camp Gan Israel, and Jewish Federation of Palm Beach. Other awards went to organizations such as Ravinia Festival Association, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, showing a mix of communal, cultural, and civic support alongside its core Jewish philanthropy.
A central theme in the foundation’s giving is Jewish communal support. The Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago received $100,000 in 2025, continuing a three-year pattern of major support. Youth services also appear in the portfolio. Jewish Council for Youth Services received $7,500 in 2023, $5,000 in 2024, and $6,000 in 2025, indicating repeated support rather than a single one-time award. Religious community organizations are another recurring part of the record. Am Shalom in Glencoe received $5,000 in 2023, $5,000 in 2024, and $5,500 in 2025. Camp Gan Israel in Chicago also appears more than once, including grants of $1,800 in 2023 and 2024 and $2,300 in 2025. The foundation also made mission support grants to organizations outside strictly Jewish communal work, including Ravinia Festival Association and North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic.
Typical grants are small: the p25 and median are both $1,000, while the p75 is $2,450. That distribution shows a base of modest awards with a few much larger commitments, including a $100,000 grant in 2025 and $77,000 in 2024. The record also shows repeat recipients across multiple years, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated gifts. The foundation is a private family foundation operating from Highland Park, and the grants shown are all mission-support style awards rather than individual grants or program-related investments.
$147K
$430K
$384K
$154K
Most grants fall between $1K and $2K, with a median of $1K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$1K
75th Percentile
$2K
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Notable grantees: Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago
Grant dollars land primarily in Illinois, with 68% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Chicago is the most frequent recipient city in the recent list, appearing with Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, Jewish Council for Youth Services, Camp Gan Israel, Northwestern University Health Center, Jesse White Foundation, and Anixter Center - Chicago Hearing Society Division. Other Illinois locations include Highland Park, Glencoe, and West Palm Beach outside the state. The remaining grants in the list go to recipients in New York, Connecticut, Florida, North Carolina, and Washington, DC.
The recent record centers on Jewish communal organizations and mission support. The largest recurring recipient is Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, and other repeated grantees include Am Shalom, Jewish Council for Youth Services, Camp Gan Israel, and Jewish Federation of Palm Beach.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years. Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Am Shalom appears in all three years; and Jewish Council for Youth Services and Camp Gan Israel also received more than one award.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution is small on the low end: p25 is $1,000 and the median is $1,000. The upper quartile is $2,450, though the recent record also includes larger outliers such as $100,000 and $77,000.
Illinois receives the largest share of grants, with 68% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Chicago is the most common recipient city in the list, and other Illinois recipients include Highland Park and Glencoe.
The grants list also includes cultural, legal, health, and memorial institutions. Examples in the recent record include Ravinia Festival Association, North Suburban Legal Aid Clinic, Northwestern University Health Center, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Anixter Center - Chicago Hearing Society Division.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTERS - CHICAGO WOMEN'S BOARD | NORTHBROOK, IL | $6,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| JEWISH COUNCIL FOR YOUTH SERVICES | CHICAGO, IL | $6,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| RAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $6,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| AM SHALOM | GLENCOE, IL | $5,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| FRIENDS OF THE ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF PALM BEACH | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $2,300 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| ANIXTER CENTER - CHICAGO HEARING SOCIETY DIVISION | CHICAGO, IL | $2,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| FRIENDS OF ELNET | SKOKIE, IL | $2,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM | NEW YORK, NY | $2,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| CAMP GAN ISRAEL | CHICAGO, IL | $1,800 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| FOCUS INC | BARRINGTON HILLS, IL | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| HELPING HANDS NETWORK | NORTHBROOK, IL | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| KATHY'S HOUSE | MILWAUKEE, WI | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| GPF FOUNDATION | LAKE FOREST, IL | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| NORTH SUBURBAN LEGAL AID CLINIC | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $1,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| MULTIPLE MYELOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION | NORWALK, CT | $500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| HALLIE 225 | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| RAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION | ILLINOIS, IL | $11,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| JEWISH COUNCIL FOR YOUTH SERVICES | CHICAGO, IL | $6,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| AM SHALOM | GLENCOE, IL | $5,500 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $3,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| CAMP GAN ISRAEL | CHICAGO, IL | $2,300 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| NORTH SUBURBAN LEGAL AID CLINIC | ILLINOIS, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF PALM BEACH | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $1,800 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| HELPING HANDS NETWORK | ILLINOIS, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| FOCUS INC | ARIZONA, AZ | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOLS ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| GPF FOUNDATION | ILLINOIS, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| MULTIPLE MYELOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION | NORWALK, CT | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| JESSE WHITE FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| ANIXTER CENTER - CHICAGO HEARING SOCIETY DIVISION | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| FOUNDATION FOR FIGHTING BLINDNESS | COLUMBIA, MD | $660 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| CHILDREN'S BRITTLE BONE FOUNDATION | ILLINOIS, IL | $250 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| UPTOWN MUSIC THEATER OF HIGHLAND PARK | ILLINOIS, IL | $250 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $77,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| JEWISH COUNCIL FOR YOUTH SERVICES | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| AM SHALOM | GLENCOE, IL | $5,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| DON'T EVEN GIVE UP INC | NORTH CAROLINA, NC | $5,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF PALM BEACH | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $1,800 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| CAMP GAN ISRAEL | CHICAGO, IL | $1,800 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| ISRAEL PASSPORT CENTER | ILLINOIS, IL | $1,800 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL COUNCIL | WASHINGTON, DC | $1,650 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| ANIXTER CENTER - CHICAGO HEARING SOCIETY DIVISION | CHICAGO, IL | $1,200 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| CHILDREN'S BRITTLE BONE FOUNDATION | ILLINOIS, IL | $1,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| JESSE WHITE FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOLS ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $1,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
| FOUNDATION FOR FIGHTING BLINDNESS | COLUMBIA, MD | $1,000 | 2024 | TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE |
TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTERS - CHICAGO WOMEN'S BOARD
$6,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
RAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION
$6,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
AM SHALOM
$5,500TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
ANIXTER CENTER - CHICAGO HEARING SOCIETY DIVISION
$2,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
CAMP GAN ISRAEL
$1,800TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
FOCUS INC
$1,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
KATHY'S HOUSE
$1,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
GPF FOUNDATION
$1,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
HALLIE 225
$500TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
RAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION
$11,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
AM SHALOM
$5,500TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
CAMP GAN ISRAEL
$2,300TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
JEWISH FEDERATION OF PALM BEACH
$1,800TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
FOCUS INC
$1,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOLS ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION
$1,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
GPF FOUNDATION
$1,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
ANIXTER CENTER - CHICAGO HEARING SOCIETY DIVISION
$1,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
FOUNDATION FOR FIGHTING BLINDNESS
$660TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
CHILDREN'S BRITTLE BONE FOUNDATION
$250TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
UPTOWN MUSIC THEATER OF HIGHLAND PARK
$250TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
AM SHALOM
$5,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
CAMP GAN ISRAEL
$1,800TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
ISRAEL PASSPORT CENTER
$1,800TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
ANIXTER CENTER - CHICAGO HEARING SOCIETY DIVISION
$1,200TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
CHILDREN'S BRITTLE BONE FOUNDATION
$1,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
SOLOMON SCHECHTER DAY SCHOOLS ENDOWMENT FOUNDATION
$1,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE
FOUNDATION FOR FIGHTING BLINDNESS
$1,000TO FURTHER THE MISSION OF THE DONEE