The Simon Family Foundation concentrates on Chicago-area civic life while also supporting select national and international causes. Their giving emphasizes hunger relief and emergency food programs, performing arts and youth theater, Jewish and Israel-related organizations, and health/cancer research & services, with recurring multi-year support to a stable set of grantees. Grants also fund K–12 education initiatives and social-service providers serving vulnerable populations in the region.
The Simon Family Foundation’s recent grantmaking is marked by repeated, sizable support for Chicago-area food access and cultural organizations. In 2025, the foundation gave $400,000 to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and $370,000 to Timeline Theatre Company, two grants that reflect the mix of emergency food work and performing arts support visible across its recent filings. A third large 2025 grant, $325,000 to A Silver Lining Foundation Chicagoland Cancer Info Coalition, shows that health-related philanthropy is also part of its portfolio. The foundation gives at a regional scale, with many awards landing in Illinois and a stable set of recipients appearing across multiple years. Its recent activity also includes support for Northern Illinois Food Bank, World Central Kitchen Incorporated, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, and Jewish National Fund Inc. The grant descriptions are consistently framed as support to further the organization’s exempt purpose, which suggests flexible funding tied to each grantee’s mission rather than narrow project-only awards. Across the listed grants, the pattern is one of substantial repeat support to organizations serving Chicago and selected national causes.
Food access is one of the clearest threads in the foundation’s recent giving. It awarded $300,000 to Northern Illinois Food Bank in 2025 to further the organization’s exempt purpose, and it also made $300,000 and $250,000 grants to World Central Kitchen Incorporated in Washington, DC in 2025 and 2023. Education is another recurring area. The foundation gave $300,000 to Donorschoose Org in New York in 2025 and again made $300,000 grants in 2024 and 2023. It also supported Providence St Mel School with $160,000 in 2025. Health-related grants include $200,000 to Planned Parenthood of Illinois in 2025 and $160,000 to the Center for Science in the Public Interest in Washington, DC, both described as support for exempt purposes. Jewish and Israel-focused philanthropy appears in a $250,000 grant to Jewish National Fund Inc in Northbrook, IL.
Typical grant size sits at $30,000 at the 25th percentile, $90,000 at the median, and $150,000 at the 75th percentile, though the recent list also includes several awards well above that range. The foundation is a Regular Funder, not a DAF and not a funder of individuals. Recurrence is notable: several grantees appear in multiple years, including food, education, arts, and health organizations. Grant language is usually broad and mission-based, using phrases such as “to further the exempt purpose of the organization” or “to further the exempt purpose,” which points to general support rather than narrowly designated project funding.
$5.9M
$59.8M
$7.1M
$6.7M
Most grants fall between $30K and $150K, with a median of $90K.
25th Percentile
$30K
Median
$90K
75th Percentile
$150K
Sign up for a free Kindora account to access AI-generated insights into this funder's giving patterns, decision-makers, and fit signals.
Get Started FreeFree Kindora accounts unlock side-by-side comparisons with foundations that share this funder's focus areas and giving profile.
Get Started FreeSign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits this funder, get an AI-generated pitch, and unlock similar foundations.
Capital concentrated among repeated grantees: the foundation makes multiple grants to the same organizations (many listed with three grants), combining several large gifts (six- and seven-figure) with numerous mid-sized commitments. Funding is regionally focused on Chicago-area institutions but includes selective national/international partners; emphasis appears to be on sustaining core partners (multi-year or recurring support) rather than one-off, widely distributed small grants.
Notable grantees: Greater Chicago Food Depository, Timeline Theatre Company, DonorsChoose.org, World Central Kitchen, Jewish National Fund
Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Illinois, which accounts for 70% of grants and is also the top state by grant count. Chicago is the central recipient city in the recent list, with grants to the Greater Chicago Food Depository, Timeline Theatre Company, A Silver Lining Foundation Chicagoland Cancer Info Coalition, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, and The Night Ministry. Outside Illinois, recent grants went to organizations in New York, Washington, DC, California, and Minnesota. The recipient-country distribution is entirely US-based, with 149 grants in the United States.
Recent grants cluster around Chicago-area hunger relief and emergency food systems, performing arts and youth theater, Jewish and Israel-focused philanthropy, cancer research and patient support, K–12 education, and services for vulnerable populations. The recent list shows repeated support for food banks, theaters, schools, medical and health organizations, and social-service providers.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years. For example, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Timeline Theatre Company, Donorschoose Org, World Central Kitchen Incorporated, Planned Parenthood of Illinois, and A Silver Lining Foundation Chicagoland Cancer Info Coalition all received repeat awards in the recent grants list.
The foundation’s grant-size distribution shows a 25th percentile of $30,000, a median of $90,000, and a 75th percentile of $150,000. Some recent awards are much larger, including $400,000 to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and $370,000 to Timeline Theatre Company.
Illinois is the top state by grant count, and 70% of grants go to recipients in the foundation’s HQ state of Illinois. Chicago is the main recipient city in the recent grants list, alongside Illinois recipients in Geneva, Highland Park, and Northbrook.
The pattern is regional with a strong local concentration. Most grants go to Illinois organizations, but the recent list also includes recipients in New York, Washington, DC, California, and Minnesota, all of which are in the United States.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WINDOW TO THE WORLD COMMUNICATIONS | CHICAGO, IL | $550,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INCORPORATED | WASHINGTON, DC | $450,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $400,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK | GENEVA, IL | $400,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DONORSCHOOSE ORG | NEW YORK, NY | $300,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| A SILVER LINING FOUNDATION CHICAGOLAND CANCER INFO COALITION | CHICAGO, IL | $280,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF ILLINOIS | CHICAGO, IL | $250,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SPONDYLITIS ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA | ENCINO, CA | $200,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MAYO CLINIC | ROCHESTER, MN | $200,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAN COMMITTEE FOR THE WEIZMANN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE INC | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| JEWISH NATIONAL FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $200,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FOUNDATION OF ILLINOIS INC | SKOKIE, IL | $150,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN | GLENCOE, IL | $150,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ASPIRITECH NFP | CHICAGO, IL | $150,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF MAGEN DAVID ADOM | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| HONEST GAME FOUNDATION | GLENCOE, IL | $150,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MEMORIAL SLOAN-KETTERING CANCER CENTER | NEW YORK, NY | $150,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE NIGHT MINISTRY | CHICAGO, IL | $125,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC | NEW YORK, NY | $125,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PROVIDENCE ST MEL SCHOOL | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NORTHSHORE UNIVERSITY HEALTHSYSTEM | ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | EVANSTON, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ANN & ROBERT H LURIE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL OF CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $100,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF ILLINOIS INC | CHICAGO, IL | $80,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| RAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION | HIGHLAND PARK, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| ISRAEL CANCER RESEARCH FUND INC | NEW YORK, NY | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHICAGO PUBLIC MEDIA INC | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CENTER FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST | WASHINGTON, DC | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| MISERICORDIA FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $75,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WRITERS THEATRE INC | GLENCOE, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE JACKSON CHANCE FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| BRIGHT FOCUS FOUNDATION | CLARKSBURG, MD | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WOMEN'S AUXILIARY FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MS | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| TIMELINE THEATRE COMPANY | CHICAGO, IL | $40,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| THE ARK | CHICAGO, IL | $40,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| PROJECT LIFELINE | GLENCOE, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SCLERODERMA FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| FRIENDS OF SKINNER WEST | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER | ROCHESTER, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION | CHICAGO, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| CHABAD TERROR VICTIMS PROJECT INC | BROOKLYN, NY | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| DENVER HEALTH AND HOSPITALS FOUNDATION | DENVER, CO | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| SCIENTISTS SOCIETY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA | CAPE CORAL, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF AMERICA | CALUMET CITY, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY | CHICAGO, IL | $400,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| TIMELINE THEATRE COMPANY | CHICAGO, IL | $370,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| A SILVER LINING FOUNDATION CHICAGOLAND CANCER INFO COALITION | CHICAGO, IL | $325,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| WORLD CENTRAL KITCHEN INCORPORATED | WASHINGTON, DC | $300,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
| NORTHERN ILLINOIS FOOD BANK | GENEVA, IL | $300,000 | 2025 | TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION |
WINDOW TO THE WORLD COMMUNICATIONS
$550,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY
$400,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
DONORSCHOOSE ORG
$300,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF ILLINOIS
$250,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MAYO CLINIC
$200,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
JEWISH NATIONAL FUND INC
$200,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL FOUNDATION OF ILLINOIS INC
$150,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
HONEST GAME FOUNDATION
$150,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MEMORIAL SLOAN-KETTERING CANCER CENTER
$150,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES USA INC
$125,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
RAVINIA FESTIVAL ASSOCIATION
$75,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
WRITERS THEATRE INC
$50,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
WOMEN'S AUXILIARY FOUNDATION
$50,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
PROJECT LIFELINE
$15,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SCLERODERMA FOUNDATION OF GREATER CHICAGO
$10,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
FRIENDS OF SKINNER WEST
$10,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
$10,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
NORTHWESTERN MEMORIAL FOUNDATION
$10,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
CHABAD TERROR VICTIMS PROJECT INC
$10,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
SCIENTISTS SOCIETY OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
$10,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF AMERICA
$5,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
GREATER CHICAGO FOOD DEPOSITORY
$400,000TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION
TO FURTHER THE EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION