The Jarvis Foundation concentrates its philanthropy into a very small number of large grants, with a strong emphasis on supporting Jewish communal infrastructure in the Chicago area alongside major gifts to prominent medical and higher-education institutions. Grants appear to be general/unrestricted operating support to well-established organizations rather than many small, targeted programs. The foundation’s giving is high-dollar and strategic, favoring institutional partners that serve community welfare, health care, and education.
Highly concentrated: very few, large grants (multi-hundred-thousand to multi-million-dollar) to established institutional grantees; tends toward general operating or broad-purpose gifts rather than many small or program-specific awards.
Jarvis Foundation’s recent giving is dominated by a single $2.9 million grant to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, a signal that the foundation places major weight on Jewish communal infrastructure. That pattern continues alongside substantial gifts to Chicago-area health care, day schools, and synagogues, with several awards reaching six and seven figures. The portfolio also includes major support for universities and national institutions, showing that the foundation works across community, education, and health sectors rather than limiting itself to one type of organization. The foundation’s largest 2024 grants also reached Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, and Tulane University, each receiving more than $400,000. Smaller recent awards still follow the same institutional pattern: established nonprofits such as Friends of Elnet, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. Across these grants, the wording often points to general support or furthering exempt purposes, suggesting flexible funding for core organizational work rather than narrowly defined projects. The result is a giving profile shaped by large, selective grants to long-standing institutions with civic, educational, medical, or Jewish communal roles.
Jewish communal support is central to the foundation’s grantmaking. In 2024, it gave $445,000 to Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School and $55,000 to Anshe Emet Synagogue, both in Chicago, while also supporting the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago at a far larger scale. Those gifts point to a funding pattern that reaches across federation, synagogue, and Jewish education infrastructure. Health care is another clear theme. Northwestern Memorial Hospital received $545,000 in 2024, and Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York received $50,000 the same year. The foundation also backed Shirley Ryan AbilityLab with $50,000, indicating interest in major medical institutions and rehabilitation care. Higher education appears as a separate lane in the portfolio. Tulane University received $518,000 in 2024, and the University of Arizona Foundation received grants in both 2024 and 2023. The foundation also supported Erikson Institute, which received $50,000 in 2024 and $45,000 in 2023.
$4.7M
$100.5M
$188.8M
$4.7M
Most grants fall between $1K and $16K, with a median of $5K.
25th Percentile
$1K
Median
$5K
75th Percentile
$16K
Top 2 recipient countries by grant volume for Jarvis Foundation.
| Rank | Country | Grants | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United StatesDomestic | 431 | $14.7M | 99.5% |
| 2 | Israel | 2 |
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Notable grantees: Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Tulane University
Jarvis Foundation’s grant sizes are wide-ranging but skew toward larger checks: the 25th percentile is $1,000, the median is $4,500, and the 75th percentile is $15,750, while recent top-end awards reach into the millions. The recent record shows repeat support to the same recipients across years, including Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, Northwestern Memorial Hospital Foundation, Jacaranda Foundation Inc, Chicago Cares Inc, Erikson Institute, and University of Arizona Foundation. The foundation does not fund individuals and does not make program-related investments. Most awards in the recent list are described as general support or to further exempt purposes, which suggests flexible operating or institutional support rather than tightly restricted project funding.
Grantmaking is national, but it concentrates heavily in Illinois: 45% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Chicago appears repeatedly in the recent grants list, including Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School, and Chicago Cares. Outside Illinois, New York is the top state by grant count, with recipients such as the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Birthright Israel Foundation, and Teach for America. The recipient country distribution is almost entirely U.S.-based, with one grant to Israel.
The recent grants show support for Jewish communal infrastructure, health care institutions, universities, and select civic or cultural nonprofits. Examples include the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Tulane University, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
The typical grant size is $1,000 at the 25th percentile, $4,500 at the median, and $15,750 at the 75th percentile. Recent awards also include much larger grants, including a $2.9 million gift to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.
Yes. The recent grants list includes multiple-year support for Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, Northwestern Memorial Hospital Foundation, Jacaranda Foundation Inc, Chicago Cares Inc, Erikson Institute, and University of Arizona Foundation.
It gives most often in New York by grant count, while 45% of its grants go to recipients in Illinois. Chicago is a major recipient city, with multiple grants to organizations there.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
| $5K |
0.5% |
Recipient country reflects the grantee's headquarters per IRS 990-PF and Schedule F filings, not the program's implementation country.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TULANE UNIVERSITY | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $1,000,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $751,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $329,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH FEDERATION COUNCIL OF GREATER LA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $250,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FDD - FOUNDATION FOR DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACY | WASHINGTON, DC | $200,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FRIENDS OF THE IDFISRAEL DEFENSE FORCE | NEW YORK, NY | $193,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PCD KS FOUNDATION | BLOOMINGTON, MN | $100,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ANTI DEFAMATION LEAGUE | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HOLOCAUST MUSEUM LA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $100,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| TEACH FOR AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $73,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO CARES | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION | TUSCON, AZ | $52,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AFTER SCHOOL MATTERS | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITY LAB | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ERIKSON INSTITUTE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NAVY SEAL FOUNDATION | VIRGINIA BEACH, VA | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JACARANDA FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MOUNT SINAI HOSPITAL NY | NEW YORK, NY | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| US HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $45,900 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH SUNSHINE CIRCLE | PALM DESERT, CA | $40,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY ART LA | LOS ANGELES, CA | $30,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP | WASHINGTON, DC | $30,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM | SKOKIE, IL | $28,400 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| INVEST FOR KIDS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH NATIONAL FUND | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF NATAL INC | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FRIENDS OF ELNET | SKOKIE, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHAI LIFELINE | NEW YORK, NY | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO CHILDRENS MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $22,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FRIENDS OF BET ELAZRAKI - EMTC INC | TEANECK, NJ | $21,600 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CURE ADDICTION NOW | LOS ANGELES, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DESERT COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | PALM DESERT, CA | $20,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CEDARS SINAI | LOS ANGELES, CA | $18,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| TULANE HILLEL | NEW ORLEANS, LA | $18,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| RANCHO MIRAGE HIGH SCHOOL | RANCHO MIRAGE, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ANSHE EMET SYNAGOGUE | CHICAGO, IL | $12,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF PALM SPRING & DESERT | PALM DESERT, CA | $11,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CAMP BLUE SKIES FOUNDATION | CHARLOTTE, NC | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE GROWING SEASON | EVANSTON, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FUND FOR ISRAEL'S TOMORROW | SAINT LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| RELIGIOUS ACTION CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| START EARLY | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| LYNN SAGE CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PARKINSON'S FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
TULANE UNIVERSITY
$1,000,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$329,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
JEWISH FEDERATION COUNCIL OF GREATER LA
$250,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FRIENDS OF THE IDFISRAEL DEFENSE FORCE
$193,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
PCD KS FOUNDATION
$100,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
JACARANDA FOUNDATION
$50,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
JEWISH SUNSHINE CIRCLE
$40,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
$28,400TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
$25,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART CHICAGO
$25,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FRIENDS OF BET ELAZRAKI - EMTC INC
$21,600TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CURE ADDICTION NOW
$20,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CEDARS SINAI
$18,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TULANE HILLEL
$18,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
RANCHO MIRAGE HIGH SCHOOL
$15,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
ANSHE EMET SYNAGOGUE
$12,500TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
JEWISH FEDERATION OF PALM SPRING & DESERT
$11,500TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
RELIGIOUS ACTION CENTER
$10,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION