The Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation is a Chicago-based, Jewish philanthropy that concentrates its funding on Jewish communal infrastructure, Israel-focused institutions, and Jewish educational and cultural initiatives. Its largest support flows to the metropolitan Chicago federation and regional Jewish institutions, while substantial gifts also underwrite Israel-facing organizations and Jewish higher-education/leadership programs. The foundation mixes a few very large, multi-grant commitments with a number of mid-sized and smaller grants to synagogues, elder care, and innovative Jewish programs.
A defining feature of the Leonard and Diane Sherman Family Foundation is its repeated support for Chicago’s Jewish communal infrastructure. The largest recent grant in the file went to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, with another large award to the Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago, and those gifts sit alongside continued support for national Jewish institutions and Israel-linked organizations. The foundation’s recent giving shows a clear pattern of operating support rather than project-restricted grants, with awards often renewed across multiple years. Its portfolio reaches beyond one local network. The foundation has backed Jewish National Fund - Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael Inc, American Society for Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, American Friends of the Hebrew University Inc, and Birthright Israel Foundation, indicating sustained support for organizations tied to Israel, higher education, and Jewish identity-building. Smaller grants also appear in the record for synagogue life, elder services, and Jewish historical or cultural work. The result is a grantmaking profile centered on Jewish communal continuity, with Chicago serving as the strongest local anchor and Israel-facing institutions representing a major national and international dimension.
Jewish communal federations are a central part of the foundation’s giving. In 2024, it gave $815,000 to Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago for general operating support, and in 2025 it awarded $242,500 to Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago for the same purpose. Israel-focused institutions form another visible strand. The foundation gave $286,000 to Jewish National Fund - Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael Inc in 2023 and $136,000 in 2025, both for general operating support. It also supported American Society for Technion - Israel Institute of Technology with grants of $119,200 in 2024, $119,000 in 2023, and $119,000 in 2025. Jewish education and leadership organizations appear as well. American Friends of the Hebrew University Inc received $100,000 in both 2024 and 2025, while Israel Policy Forum Inc received $26,800 in each of 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Typical awards cluster in the mid-sized range, with p25 at $18,000, a median grant of $26,800, and p75 at $112,385. The file also shows a few substantially larger operating grants, including seven-figure-scale cumulative support to major communal institutions across multiple years. Recurrence is common: several recipients appear in 2023, 2024, and 2025, especially federations and Israel-linked organizations. The pattern is consistent with general operating support and unrestricted core funding rather than project-specific awards. The foundation gives nationally, and the data does not indicate an application process.
$764K
$43.6M
$98K
$946K
Most grants fall between $18K and $112K, with a median of $27K.
25th Percentile
$18K
Median
$27K
75th Percentile
$112K
About 34% of grants go to recipients in NY.
DAVID SHERMAN
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Concentrated giving with a small number of large, repeat multi-grants to flagship Jewish and Israel-focused organizations combined with a broader set of mid- and small-size gifts to local synagogues, eldercare, and program innovators. Funding is primarily Chicago-centered but includes significant national and international (Israel) commitments.
Notable grantees: Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, Jewish National Fund - Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael, American Society for Technion / American Friends of the Hebrew University, CJE SeniorLife, Birthright Israel Foundation
Grant recipients are concentrated in the United States, which accounts for all 44 listed grants. Illinois is the top state by grant count, making Chicago the clearest geographic center of the portfolio, with repeated awards to organizations in Chicago and Highland Park. Outside Illinois, New York appears often through national Jewish institutions based there, while Arizona, Pennsylvania, California, and Missouri-linked records also show up in the recent grants. The recipient map reflects a national Jewish grantmaker with a strong Chicago preference.
The foundation most often supports Jewish communal federations, Israel-facing institutions, and Jewish educational or cultural organizations. Recent examples include Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, Jewish National Fund - Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael Inc, American Society for Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, and American Friends of the Hebrew University Inc.
Typical grants cluster around the middle of the distribution: p25 is $18,000, median grant size is $26,800, and p75 is $112,385. The recent file also includes much larger operating grants to major communal institutions.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years. For example, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago received grants in 2023 and 2024, Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025, and Birthright Israel Foundation appears in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
No. Chicago and Illinois are the strongest local center, but the foundation also gives to organizations in New York, Arizona, Pennsylvania, California, and other states. Its recipient base is national, with all listed grants going to U.S. organizations.
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 | $148,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $130,500 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE FOR TECHNOLOGY | NEW YORK, NY | $118,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ISRAEL POLICY FORUM INC | NEW YORK, NH | $51,800 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COUNCIL FOR JEWISH ELDERLY (CJE SENIORLIFE) | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWISH NATIONAL FUND - KEREN KAYEMETH LEISRAEL INC | NEW YORK, NY | $46,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HESCHEL CENTER | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOCIAL GOOD FUND | RICHMOND, CA | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SECURE COMMUNITY NETWORK INC | CHICAGO, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ONETABLE | NEW YORK, NY | $18,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ABRAHAMIC HOUSE | DALLAS, TX | $18,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM | WASHINGTON, DC | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SCHOLARS FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST | BALA CYNWYD, PA | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| INTERFAITH AMERICA | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| 4G44 ESPORTS INC DBA LOST TRIBE | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| B'NAI B'RITH YOUTH ORGANIZATION | WASHINGTON, DC | $8,200 | 2026 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWISH UNITED FUND OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $242,500 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWISH FEDERATION OF METROPOLITAN CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| JEWISH NATIONAL FUND - KEREN KAYEMETH LEISRAEL INC | NEW YORK, NY | $136,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TECHNION - ISRAEL INSTITUTE FOR TECHNOLOGY | NEW YORK, NY | $119,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY INC | NEW YORK, NY | $100,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| BIRTHRIGHT ISRAEL FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $60,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| COUNCIL FOR JEWISH ELDERLY (CJE SENIORLIFE) | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ISRAEL POLICY FORUM INC | NEW YORK, NH | $26,800 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HESCHEL CENTER | PITTSBURGH, PA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| 4G44 ESPORTS INC DBA LOST TRIBE | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SOCIAL GOOD FUND | RICHMOND, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ARIZONA JEWISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY | PHOENIX, AZ | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ABRAHAMIC HOUSE | DALLAS, TX | $18,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SECURE COMMUNITY NETWORK INC | CHICAGO, IL | $18,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ONETABLE | NEW YORK, NY | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago | Chicago, IL | $815,000 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago | Chicago, IL | $140,800 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| American Society for Technion - Israel Institute of Technology Inc | New York, NY | $119,200 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| American Friends of the Hebrew University Inc | New York, NY | $100,000 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| Birthright Israel Foundation | New York, NY | $60,000 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| Council for Jewish Elderly (CJE SeniorLife) | Chicago, IL | $50,000 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| Jewish National Fund - Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael Inc | New York, NY | $36,000 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| Israel Policy Forum Inc | New York, NY | $26,800 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| Social Good Fund | Richmond, CA | $25,000 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| American Friends of the Heschel Center | Pittsburgh, PA | $25,000 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| 4g44 Esports Inc dba Lost Tribe | Scottsdale, AZ | $25,000 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| Secure Community Network Inc | Chicago, IL | $18,000 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| Jewish Child and Family Services | Chicago, IL | $10,500 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America Foundation | Washington, DC | $10,000 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| OneTable | New York, NY | $10,000 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| Abrahamic House | Dallas, TX | $10,000 | 2024 | General Operating Support |
| Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago | Chicago, IL | $752,600 | 2023 | General Operating Support |
| Jewish National Fund - Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael Inc | New York, NY | $286,000 | 2023 | General Operating Support |
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HESCHEL CENTER
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HEBREW UNIVERSITY INC
$100,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE HESCHEL CENTER
$25,000GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
General Operating Support
American Friends of the Hebrew University Inc
$100,000General Operating Support
American Friends of the Heschel Center
$25,000General Operating Support
Jewish War Veterans of the United States of America Foundation
$10,000General Operating Support