Lavin Family Foundation
Historical FunderChicago, Illinois · EIN 36-6106074 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$3.7M
Organizations funded41
Typical grant$10,000
Total assets$55.6M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $5,000 and $50,000.
From the return
How to apply
The foundation filed the following application information (Form 990-PF Part XV, tax year 2024):
| Contact | CAROL L BERNICK |
|---|---|
| Address | 155 N WACKER DR SUITE 1680, CHICAGO IL 60606 |
| Phone | 3124777603 |
| Form and materials | THERE IS NO SPECIAL FORM. A LETTER REQUESTING A DONATION IS ACCEPTABLE. |
| Deadlines | NO SUBMISSION DEADLINES. |
| Restrictions | NO RESTRICTIONS OR LIMITATIONS. |
Copied as filed. Deadlines on a tax return describe the foundation's usual process; they are not confirmation of a current open cycle.
What it funds
Share of grant lines on the latest return, classified from the purpose each grant states.
Where it gives
31% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enchanted Backpack | Chicago, IL | Q1 funding | $850,000 |
| Tulane University | New Orleans, LA | General fund education | $750,000 |
| Northwestern Memorial Foundation | Chicago, IL | Pledge payment 1 of 7 (nm physician & employee wellness fund) | $700,000 |
| Anti-Defamation League | New York, NY | General operations civil rights/social action | $250,000 |
| Jewish United Fund | Chicago, IL | General fund | $250,000 |
| Cast Water Safety Foundation | Chicago, IL | General operations | $205,200 |
| Oak Park & River Forest High School Imagine Foundation | Oak Park, IL | General fund education | $100,000 |
| Chicago Hope Academy | Chicago, IL | Education | $70,000 |
| Brother Rice High School | Chicago, IL | General fund education | $50,000 |
| Depression & Bipolar Support Alliance | Chicago, IL | General fund health | $50,000 |
| Navy Seal Foundation | Virginia Beach, VA | Military/Veterans | $50,000 |
| Hua Momona Foundation | Lahaina, HI | General fund food | $40,000 |
| Farm Aid | Cambridge, MA | General fund food | $30,000 |
| Boys & Girls Club of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Women & children | $25,000 |
| Icap | Santa Monica, CA | General fund arts | $25,000 |
| Shirley Ryan Abilitylab | Chicago, IL | General fund health | $25,000 |
| Amplify Horse Racing Inc | Lexington, KY | General fund animal welfare | $20,000 |
| Chicago Navy Memorial Foundation | Chicago, IL | General fund military/veterans | $20,000 |
| Northwestern Healthcare Total | Chicago, IL | General fund healthcare brain tumor and scholarships | $15,000 |
| Wings | Palatine, IL | General fund women & children | $15,000 |
| American Red Cross | Washington, DC | Public safety/disaster relief | $10,000 |
| Field Museum | Chicago, IL | General fund arts | $10,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Chicago | Chicago, IL | Education | $10,000 |
| Lyric Opera of Chicago | Chicago, IL | General fund arts | $10,000 |
| Maryville Academy | Des Plaines, IL | Crisis nursery program women and children | $10,000 |
| Unites States Holocaust Museum | Washington, DC | General fund | $10,000 |
| Chicago Botanic Garden | Glencoe, IL | Environment | $7,500 |
| Chicago Historical Society | Chicago, IL | General fund: arts | $5,000 |
| Ingenuity | Chicago, IL | General fund education | $5,000 |
| New World Symphony | Miami Beach, FL | General fund arts | $5,000 |
| Off the Street Club | Chicago, IL | General fund women and children | $5,000 |
| Sgi (Soka Gakkai International-Usa) | Santa Monica, CA | General fund | $5,000 |
| Ucan | Chicago, IL | General fund:women & children | $5,000 |
| Evans Scholars Foundation | Glenview, IL | General fund education | $3,000 |
| YWCA Metropolitan Chicago | Chicago, IL | General fund women & children | $3,000 |
| Chicago Council on Global Affairs | Chicago, IL | General fund intl/foregin affairs | $2,500 |
| Greater Chicago Food Depository | Chicago, IL | General fund food | $2,500 |
| Lincoln Presidential Foundation | Springfield, IL | General fund education | $2,000 |
| Yerkes Future Foundation | Williams Bay, WI | General fund recreation | $2,000 |
| Lemont Baseball & Softball Club | Lemont, IL | General fund recreation | $1,500 |
| The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society | Rye Brook, NY | General fund health | $200 |
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $3,654,400 | 41 |
| 2023 | $4,826,000 | 46 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Nov 11, 2025 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202533159349102818
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 36-6106074
- 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.