John and Jacolyn Bucksbaum Familyfoundation
Invitation OnlyChicago, Illinois · EIN 26-0450497 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$2M
Organizations funded134
Typical grant$3,000
Total assets$32.6M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $1,500 and $10,000.
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
59% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temple Sholom of Chicago | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $515,000 |
| Podium Society | Los Angeles, CA | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $250,000 |
| Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club | Aspen, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $166,000 |
| Museum of Language Arts | Washington, DC | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $75,000 |
| USA Cycling Foundation | Colorado Springs, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $75,000 |
| Cinema Chicago | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $55,000 |
| American Jewish Committee | New York, NY | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $50,000 |
| US Holocaust Memorial Museum | Washington, DC | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $50,000 |
| Civic Counsulting Alliance | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $40,000 |
| The Performance Zone Inc | New York, NY | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $40,000 |
| The Field Museum | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $35,000 |
| World Bicycle Relief | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $30,000 |
| Moadon Kol Chadash | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $28,000 |
| Peopleforbikes Foundation | Boulder, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $25,000 |
| University of Denver | Denver, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $22,000 |
| US Ski & Snowboard Team Foundation | Ishpeming, MI | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $21,000 |
| Aspen Center for Environmental Studies | Aspen, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $20,000 |
| Nordic Combined USA | Steamboat Springs, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $20,000 |
| World Cup Dreams Foundation | Keene, NY | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $20,000 |
| Teach for America | New York, NY | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $17,500 |
| Bulamu Healthcare | Palo Alto, CA | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $16,000 |
| Independence Pass Foundation | Aspen, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $16,000 |
| Aspen Alpine Club Inc | Aspen, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $15,000 |
| A Thousand Summers (Jacf) | Denver, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $13,000 |
| The Resurrection Project | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $12,500 |
| Navy Pier | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $12,000 |
| US Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame | Ishpeming, MI | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $11,000 |
| Anderson Ranch Arts Center | Snowmass Village, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $10,000 |
| Aspen Hall of Fame | Aspen, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $10,000 |
| Aspen Public Rado | Aspen, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $10,000 |
| Chicago Public Media | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $10,000 |
| Chris Klug Foundation | Aspen, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $10,000 |
| JCC Chicago Camp Chi | Northbrook, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $10,000 |
| JCC Rochester | Rochester, NY | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $10,000 |
| Muso | Pasadena, CA | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $10,000 |
| Red Bridge Education | San Francisco, CA | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $10,000 |
| Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers | Carbondale, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $10,000 |
| Aspen Music Festival & School | Aspen, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $9,000 |
| High Jump | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $7,500 |
| Wttw Channel 11 | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $7,500 |
| Aspen Historical Society | Aspen, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $6,000 |
| The Arts Campus at Willits (Tacaw) | Basalt, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,200 |
| Active Transportation Alliance | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| Actors Training Center | Wilmette, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| American Jewish World Service | New York, NY | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| Brain Research Foundation | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| Center for Public Interest Research | Los Angeles, CA | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| City Year Inc | Boston, MA | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| College Possible | Saint Paul, MN | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| Erikson Institute | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| Explore Booksellers | Aspen, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| Landmarks Illinois | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| Lincoln Presidential Foundation | Springfield, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| Planned Parenthood Federation of America | New York, NY | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| Reproductive Freedom for All | Washington, DC | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Rochester, NY | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| Rocky Mountain Institute | Basalt, CO | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| The Chicago Council on Global Affairs | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
| The Civic Federation | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $5,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 134 grants to organizations.
Grants approved for future payment
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temple Sholom of Chicago | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $500,000 |
| Civic Consulting Alliance | Chicago, IL | All contributions made for the intent established by the various charities | $75,000 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,007,000 | 136 |
| 2024 | $988,800 | 127 |
| 2023 | $1,792,919 | 81 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed Aug 3, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202622159349100562
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 26-0450497
- 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.