The Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation concentrates its giving into a very small number of large, unrestricted grants, supporting both direct social services in its home city and international/pro-Israel policy work. Recent awards show a dual emphasis: substantial operational support for a Chicago homeless services provider and sizeable funding to a pro-Israel advocacy organization, indicating priorities that include local safety-net services and Jewish communal/political engagement abroad.
Highly concentrated grantmaking: very few (two) large, unrestricted gifts totaling $775K, split between a local social service agency and an international advocacy organization rather than broad, small-dollar giving.
Connections for the Homeless, Friends of ELNET
A striking feature of the Joseph & Bessie Feinberg Foundation is its concentration on unrestricted support, with large general-purpose grants flowing to Chicago-based organizations across homelessness services, Jewish communal work, journalism, education, health, and civic life. The foundation’s largest recent award was $450,000 to Connections for the Homeless in 2025, signaling that frontline social services are a meaningful part of its portfolio. At the same time, it has backed pro-Israel advocacy through Friends of Elnet, including awards of $325,000 in 2024, $250,000 in 2023, and $100,000 in 2025. Other major recipients show the breadth of its giving style. Mother Jones Foundation for National Progress received $235,310 in 2023, while the Foundation also supported Jewish United Fund, Legal Action Chicago, Better Government Association, and the National Public Housing Museum with six-figure or near-six-figure grants. Across these awards, the common thread is flexible funding rather than tightly specified project support, with recipients spanning direct service, public-interest media, advocacy, and community institutions.
Chicago homelessness services are a clear theme. In 2025, the foundation gave $450,000 to Connections for the Homeless for general unrestricted support, and it also backed Covenant House Illinois with $125,000 in 2024. That pairing points to sustained interest in organizations serving people experiencing housing instability. The foundation also funds Jewish communal and Israel-related work. Friends of Elnet received $325,000 in 2024, $250,000 in 2023, and $100,000 in 2025, all as general unrestricted support. Jewish United Fund also appears among the recipients, with a $100,000 grant in 2023. Beyond those areas, the funder has supported public-interest institutions and civic organizations. Mother Jones Foundation for National Progress received $235,310 in 2023, and the Better Government Association received $100,000 in 2023, $100,000 in 2024, and $100,000 in 2025.
Typical grant size is centered at $10,000, with a 25th percentile of $5,000 and a 75th percentile of $25,000, even though the recent-grants list also shows much larger awards. The pattern in the filings suggests repeated support for some recipients over multiple years rather than one-off gifts: Friends of Elnet, Better Government Association, Connections for the Homeless, Imagine Englewood If, Dovetail Project, and Lookingglass Theatre Company all appear more than once. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it does not fund individuals or make program-related investments. The grants shown are overwhelmingly described as general unrestricted or exempt-purpose support.
$2.7M
$14.5M
$826K
$2.9M
Most grants fall between $5K and $25K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Grantmaking is local and entirely U.S.-based in the recipient data, with 366 grants to U.S. organizations and 100% of grants going to recipients in Illinois. Chicago dominates the recipient map, including awards to Connections for the Homeless, Friends of Elnet, Mother Jones Foundation for National Progress, Feinberg School of Medicine, and West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation. The pattern is consistent with a Chicago-centered portfolio rather than a broad national spread.
Its recent grants go to organizations working in homelessness services, Jewish communal and Israel-related advocacy, public-interest media, civic accountability, legal aid, education, health, and arts. Examples in the recent-grants list include Connections for the Homeless, Friends of Elnet, Mother Jones Foundation for National Progress, Better Government Association, and Legal Action Chicago.
The typical grant-size distribution centers on smaller awards: p25 is $5,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $25,000. The recent-grants list also includes much larger unrestricted grants, such as $450,000, $325,000, and several six-figure awards.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Friends of Elnet, Better Government Association, Connections for the Homeless, Imagine Englewood If, Dovetail Project, and Lookingglass Theatre Company. That pattern suggests repeated support for selected organizations rather than purely one-time gifts.
The data points to three main areas: Chicago homelessness services, Jewish communal and pro-Israel advocacy, and unrestricted support for mission-driven nonprofits. The recent grants also show support for public-interest journalism, legal aid, civic institutions, education, and health organizations.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NORTHWESTERN FEINBERG SCHOOL OF MEDICINE | CHICAGO, IL | $225,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| WEST COAST SPORTS MEDICINE FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $205,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY | CHICAGO, IL | $115,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| COLLABORACTION THEATRE | CHICAGO, IL | $105,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| IOLA'S LYCEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| DOVETAIL PROJECT | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| ECHOES OF HOPE | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| FRIENDS OF ELNET | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| IMAGINE ENGLEWOOD IF | CHICAGO, IL | $75,382 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| TIMELINE THEATRE | CHICAGO, IL | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| KING'S CARE FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| IGNITE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| CONNECTIONS FOR THE HOMELESS | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| HERITAGE RETREATS | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| PEOPLE'S MUSIC SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| COMMUNITYHEALTH | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| WINDOW TO THE WORLD COMMUNICATIONS | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| GIRLS 4 SCIENCE | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| CITY OF HOPE | CHICAGO, IL | $35,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO TORTURE JUSTICE MEMORIALS FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| GREATER ENGLEWOOD CHAMBER FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| UPTOWN PEOPLE'S LAW CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $30,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| ILLINOIS PRISON PROJECT | CHICAGO, IL | $28,500 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| LADIES OF VIRTUE | CHICAGO, IL | $27,500 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO TORTURE JUSTICE CENTER | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| FOLDED MAP PROJECT NFP | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| READER INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY JOURNALISM | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| CANINE LYMPHOMA EDUCATION AWARENESS & RESEARCH | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| BOULEVARD | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| NIGHT MINISTRY | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| RESTORE JUSTICE FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| SAFE PLACE FOR YOUTH | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO HOPES FOR KIDS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| HISTORICAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY BLACK PANTHER PARTY ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| RESIDENT ASSOCIATION OF GREATER ENGLEWOOD | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| INJUSTICE WATCH | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| INVISIBLE INSTITUTE | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| CHALLAH & SOUL | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| NATIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING MUSEUM | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| NOURISHING HOPE | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| COVENANT HOUSE | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| LURIE CANCER CENTER MELISSA SIMON DISCRETIONARY | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| NEAR SOUTH PLANNING BOARD | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| JUSTINIAN SOCIETY OF LAWYERS CHILDRENS ENDOWMENT FUND | CHICAGO, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| ALBANY PARK THEATER PROJECT | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
| ERIKSON INSTITUTE | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION |
NORTHWESTERN FEINBERG SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
$225,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
WEST COAST SPORTS MEDICINE FOUNDATION
$205,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE COMPANY
$115,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
COLLABORACTION THEATRE
$105,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
IOLA'S LYCEUM
$100,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
DOVETAIL PROJECT
$100,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
ECHOES OF HOPE
$100,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
FRIENDS OF ELNET
$100,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
IMAGINE ENGLEWOOD IF
$75,382GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
TIMELINE THEATRE
$60,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
KING'S CARE FOUNDATION
$50,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
$50,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
IGNITE
$50,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
CONNECTIONS FOR THE HOMELESS
$50,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
JEWISH UNITED FUND
$50,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
HERITAGE RETREATS
$50,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
PEOPLE'S MUSIC SCHOOL
$50,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
COMMUNITYHEALTH
$50,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
WINDOW TO THE WORLD COMMUNICATIONS
$50,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
GIRLS 4 SCIENCE
$50,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
CITY OF HOPE
$35,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
CHICAGO TORTURE JUSTICE MEMORIALS FOUNDATION
$30,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
GREATER ENGLEWOOD CHAMBER FOUNDATION
$30,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
UPTOWN PEOPLE'S LAW CENTER
$30,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
ILLINOIS PRISON PROJECT
$28,500GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
LADIES OF VIRTUE
$27,500GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
CHICAGO TORTURE JUSTICE CENTER
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
FOLDED MAP PROJECT NFP
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
READER INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNITY JOURNALISM
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
CANINE LYMPHOMA EDUCATION AWARENESS & RESEARCH
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
BOULEVARD
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
NIGHT MINISTRY
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
RESTORE JUSTICE FOUNDATION
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
SAFE PLACE FOR YOUTH
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
CHICAGO HOPES FOR KIDS
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
HISTORICAL PRESERVATION SOCIETY BLACK PANTHER PARTY ILLINOIS
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
RESIDENT ASSOCIATION OF GREATER ENGLEWOOD
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
BETTER GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
INJUSTICE WATCH
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
INVISIBLE INSTITUTE
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
CHALLAH & SOUL
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
NATIONAL PUBLIC HOUSING MUSEUM
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
NOURISHING HOPE
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
COVENANT HOUSE
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
LURIE CANCER CENTER MELISSA SIMON DISCRETIONARY
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
NEAR SOUTH PLANNING BOARD
$25,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
JUSTINIAN SOCIETY OF LAWYERS CHILDRENS ENDOWMENT FUND
$20,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
ALBANY PARK THEATER PROJECT
$15,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION
ERIKSON INSTITUTE
$15,000GENERAL UNRESTRICTED, EXEMPT PURPOSE OF ORGANIZATION