Ernsteen Family Foundation
Invitation OnlyBuffalo Grove, Illinois · EIN 36-4202123 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$44K
Organizations funded71
Typical grant$500
Total assets$428K
Half of its grants to organizations were between $250 and $900.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2025 the foundation checked the box saying it only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
66% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer's Association | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $2,500 |
| World Wildlife Fund | Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $2,200 |
| Congregation Beth Judea | Long Grove, IL | Unrestricted | $1,942 |
| Camp Ramah | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $1,500 |
| Mds (Myelodysplastic Syndromes Foundation Inc) | Yardville, NJ | Unrestricted | $1,250 |
| The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society | Rye Brook, NY | Unrestricted | $1,250 |
| Planned Parenthood of Illinois | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $1,075 |
| Anti-Defamation League | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $1,050 |
| Habitat for Humanity Lake County Il | Waukegan, IL | Unrestricted | $1,050 |
| American Diabetes Association | Arlington, VA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| American Heart Association Inc | Dallas, TX | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Congregation B'nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim | Deerfield, IL | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Curry College | Milton, MA | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Hebrew Union College - Jewish Institute of Religion | Cincinnati, OH | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| St Jude Children's Research Hospital | Memphis, TN | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Total Link 2 Community | Northbrook, IL | Unrestricted | $1,000 |
| Macular Degeneration Research (Brightfocus Foundation) | Clarksburg, MD | Unrestricted | $900 |
| American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Aspca) | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $825 |
| Feeding America | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $750 |
| Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center | Skokie, IL | Unrestricted | $750 |
| Les Turner Als Foundation | Skokie, IL | Unrestricted | $750 |
| North Lawndale College Prep | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $750 |
| Pathways for Achievement | Wheaton, IL | Unrestrcited | $750 |
| Wildlife Conservation Network Inc - Save Elephants | San Francisco, CA | Unrestricted | $575 |
| American Cancer Society | Kennesaw, GA | Unrestricted | $500 |
| Feed the Children | Oklahoma City, OK | Unrestricted | $500 |
| Hadassah | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $500 |
| Midwest Austrailian Sheperd Rescue | Ringwood, IL | Unrestricted | $500 |
| National Kidney Foundation | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $500 |
| Olin Sang Ruby Union Institute | Oconomowoc, WI | Unrestricted | $500 |
| Smile Train Inc | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $500 |
| The Ark | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $500 |
| The Mast Cell Disease Society Inc (The Mastocytosis Society) | Sterling, MA | Unrestricted | $500 |
| Unicef USA | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $500 |
| Wayforward Resources | Middleton, WI | Unrestricted | $500 |
| World Food Program USA | Washington, DC | Unrestricted | $500 |
| World Jewish Congress | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $500 |
| Wounded Warrior Project Inc | Jacksonville, FL | Unrestricted | $500 |
| Autism Speaks | Princeton, NJ | Unrestricted | $450 |
| Shalva Inc | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $450 |
| Doctors Without Borders | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $400 |
| Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation | Short Hills, NJ | Unrestricted | $350 |
| Mazon a Jewish Response to Hunger | Los Angeles, CA | Unrestricted | $350 |
| Orphans of the Storm | Riverwoods, IL | Unrestricted | $325 |
| American Foundation for Suicide Prevention | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $250 |
| American Friends of Magen David Adom | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $250 |
| Cancer Wellness Center | Northbrook, IL | Unrestricted | $250 |
| Care | Atlanta, GA | Unrestricted | $250 |
| Center for Enriched Living | Riverwoods, IL | Unrestricted | $250 |
| Crohn's & Colitis Foundation Inc | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $250 |
| Deaflead | Columbia, MO | Unrestricted | $250 |
| Earthjustice | San Francisco, CA | Unrestricted | $250 |
| Elevated Access | Champaign, IL | Unrestricted | $250 |
| Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $250 |
| Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund | New York, NY | Unrestricted | $250 |
| Leukemia Research Foundation | Northfield, IL | Unrestricted | $250 |
| National Multiple Sclerosis Society | Chicago, IL | Unrestricted | $250 |
| National Network of Abortion Funds | Beaverton, OR | Unrestricted | $250 |
| Ncadv - National Coalition Against Domestic Violence | Denver, CO | Unrestricted | $250 |
Showing the 60 largest of 71 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $43,942 | 71 |
| 2024 | $44,600 | 76 |
| 2023 | $43,800 | 76 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 11, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202631319349101318
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 36-4202123
- Profile updated Nov 5, 2026
Facts on this page come from the foundation's own IRS Form 990-PF filings as published by the IRS. Grantvello does not know whether a foundation is accepting proposals right now: a past grant is not an open opportunity. Always confirm current guidelines with the funder before applying.