The Hecktman Family Foundation concentrates philanthropic support in the Chicago area, with a clear emphasis on Jewish cultural and educational institutions alongside civic literacy institutions. Their giving is primarily unrestricted general operating support, and they preferentially fund a small set of repeat grantees rather than many one-off recipients. Grants are modest-to-medium in size and focused on local impact rather than national programs.
Concentrated, local giving: a small number of repeat grantees receive most of the funding; mostly unrestricted operating support rather than project-specific grants; moderate-sized gifts rather than very large multi-year commitments.
Jerold a & Ruth L Hecktman Family Foundation gives repeated unrestricted support to a small circle of Chicago-area organizations, with JUF receiving the largest recent gifts in the record. The pattern points to a foundation that backs Jewish communal life, cultural learning, and civic institutions through flexible operating grants rather than restricted project awards. Recent grants also show steady support for Spertus Institute and the Chicago Public Library Foundation, alongside gifts to neighborhood congregations and scholarship groups. The foundation’s giving is modest in scale and distributed across many small awards, but several recipients appear year after year. That repeat pattern is visible in JUF, which received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and in Spertus Institute, which appears across the same period as well. Temple Beth-el also received grants in three consecutive years. The recurring support suggests a donor profile oriented toward ongoing institutional backing, especially for organizations that serve Jewish education, cultural programming, and local civic life. Most gifts are designated simply as unrestricted gifts to charitable organizations, underscoring a flexible approach to nonprofit support.
In Jewish communal giving, the foundation has supported JUF with unrestricted grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025, including awards of $16,200 and $16,665. Spertus Institute has also been a recurring beneficiary, with unrestricted gifts of $10,500 in 2023 and $10,000 in both 2024 and 2025, linking the foundation to Jewish adult education and cultural programming. Its civic and educational support reaches beyond Jewish institutions. The Chicago Public Library Foundation received unrestricted gifts of $6,250 in 2023, $1,250 in 2024, and $15,000 in 2025. The foundation also funded Genesys Works with grants of $5,500 in 2023 and $5,000 in 2025, showing support for nonprofit organizations serving broader community needs. Smaller grants to scholarship and wellness groups extend that cross-sector pattern.
Typical grants are small, with a p25 of $100, a median of $278, and a p75 of $1,232. Even so, the recent record includes a few larger grants in the mid-five-figure range, which sit above the usual award size. The foundation’s pattern is repetitive rather than one-off: several recipients appear in multiple years, including JUF, Spertus Institute, Temple Beth-el, Beth Hillel Congregation, Chicago Public Library Foundation, Briarwood Scholarship Foundation, and Cancer Wellness Center. The grants are overwhelmingly unrestricted, usually described as gifts to charitable organizations, which points to flexible operating support rather than program-specific funding.
$52K
$639K
$35K
$59K
Most grants fall between $100 and $1K, with a median of $278.
25th Percentile
$100
Median
$278
75th Percentile
$1K
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Notable grantees: JUF (Jewish United Fund) — recurring general support, Spertus Institute — Jewish education and culture, Chicago Public Library Foundation — civic literacy and library support
Grantmaking is regional and heavily concentrated in Illinois: 78% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Chicago is the main recipient city, with multiple awards to JUF, Chicago Public Library Foundation, Spertus Institute, and Genesys Works. Other Illinois recipient cities include Northbrook, Wilmette, Deerfield, Riverwoods, Highland Park, and Skokie. Outside Illinois, the foundation has also funded recipients in Philadelphia, Newark, Sacramento, and New York, and the full recent-grants list shows all grants went to U.S. organizations.
Recent grants show consistent support for Jewish communal, educational, and cultural institutions such as JUF and Spertus Institute, along with civic and public-interest organizations like the Chicago Public Library Foundation. The foundation also funds congregations, scholarship groups, and wellness organizations through unrestricted gifts.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years. JUF appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025; Spertus Institute appears in those same three years; Temple Beth-el also received grants in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Chicago Public Library Foundation and Briarwood Scholarship Foundation also recur.
The typical grant is modest: the p25 is $100, the median is $278, and the p75 is $1,232. Most awards in the recent record fall in that range, even though a few gifts are substantially larger.
It gives most often in Illinois, with 78% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Chicago is the most common recipient city, followed by other Illinois locations including Northbrook, Wilmette, Deerfield, Riverwoods, Highland Park, and Skokie.
No. The recent grants are described as unrestricted gifts to charitable organizations, including awards to JUF, the Chicago Public Library Foundation, Spertus Institute, and others. That pattern points to flexible operating support rather than project-by-project funding.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JUF | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| SPERTUS INSTITUTE | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| GENESYS WORKS | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| TEMPLE BETH-EL | NORTHBROOK, IL | $3,700 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| BETH HILLEL CONGREGATION | WILMETTE, IL | $2,650 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| BRIARWOOD SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION | DEERFIELD, IL | $1,975 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| TOURETTE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA | BAYSIDE, NY | $1,600 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| NATIONAL MS SOCIETY | NEW YORK, NY | $995 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| CAMP ONE STEP | CHICAGO, IL | $500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| GIVING BACK FUND (TRIBE OF NOVA) | NEW YORK, NY | $500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE WEST | SACRAMENTO, CA | $500 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| DESERT MOUNTAIN CARE | CAREFREE, AZ | $400 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| FRIENDS OF ISREAL DEFENSE FORCES | CHICAGO, IL | $360 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| HADASSAH | CHICAGO, IL | $288 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| ILLINOIS TECH | CHICAGO, IL | $250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| ISRAEL CANCER RESEARCH FUND | NORTHFIELD, IL | $250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| THRESHOLDS | CHICAGO, IL | $250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY | CHICAGO, IL | $250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| CURES WITHIN REACH | CHICAGO, IL | $250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| HALLIE225 FOUNDATION | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $250 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO HELP INITIATIVE | CHICAGO, IL | $200 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| SHALVA | CHICAGO, IL | $200 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| ALZHEIMERS ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $200 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA | NEW YORK, NY | $180 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| LYNN SAGE BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $108 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| PULMONARY FIBROSIS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $100 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA FOUNDATION | TUSCON, AZ | $100 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| CANCER WELLNESS CENTER | NORTHBROOK, IL | $100 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $100 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| JEWISH NATIONAL FUND | NORTHBROOK, IL | $100 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| PARKINSONS FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $100 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| JARC FLORIDA | BOCA RATON, FL | $100 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| DIVINE WORLD | TECHNY, IL | $50 | 2026 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| JUF | CHICAGO, IL | $16,200 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| SPERTUS INSTITUTE | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| GENESYS WORKS | CHICAGO, IL | $5,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| TEMPLE BETH-EL | NORTHBROOK, IL | $3,700 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| BETH HILLEL CONGREGATION | WILMETTE, IL | $2,396 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $2,000 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| BRIARWOOD SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION | DEERFIELD, IL | $1,500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| COLLEGE BOUND OPPORTUNITIES | RIVERWOODS, IL | $1,350 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| CANCER WELLNESS CENTER | NORTHBROOK, IL | $1,250 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM | SKOKIE, IL | $680 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
| CURES WITHIN REACH | CHICAGO, IL | $500 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| HADASSAH | CHICAGO, IL | $416 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| JEWISH NATIONAL FUND | NORTHBROOK, IL | $300 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG |
| LEGAL SERVICES OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA | SACRAMENTO, CA | $250 | 2025 | UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION |
GENESYS WORKS
$5,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
TEMPLE BETH-EL
$3,700UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG
BETH HILLEL CONGREGATION
UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG
BRIARWOOD SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
$1,975UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG
TOURETTE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
$1,600UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
GIVING BACK FUND (TRIBE OF NOVA)
$500UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG
JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF THE WEST
$500UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
DESERT MOUNTAIN CARE
$400UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
FRIENDS OF ISREAL DEFENSE FORCES
$360UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
HADASSAH
$288UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG
ILLINOIS TECH
$250UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
ISRAEL CANCER RESEARCH FUND
$250UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
CHICAGO JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$250UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG
UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
HALLIE225 FOUNDATION
$250UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
CHICAGO HELP INITIATIVE
$200UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
JEWISH THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF AMERICA
$180UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG
JARC FLORIDA
$100UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
DIVINE WORLD
$50UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
GENESYS WORKS
$5,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
TEMPLE BETH-EL
$3,700UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG
BETH HILLEL CONGREGATION
$2,396UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG
UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM
$2,000UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
BRIARWOOD SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
$1,500UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG
ILLINOIS HOLOCAUST MUSEUM
$680UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION
HADASSAH
$416UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND
$300UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORG
UNRESTRICTED GIFT TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION