Polk Family Charitable Fund
Invitation OnlyHighland Park, Illinois · EIN 36-3332896 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2024)$275K
Organizations funded72
Typical grant$1,000
Total assets$3.9M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $500 and $3,500.
From the return
How to apply
On its return for tax year 2024 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
54% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2024
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cradles to Crayons | Chicago, IL | Grant award | $50,000 |
| American College of Surgeons Foundation | Chicago, IL | Grant award | $20,000 |
| Friends of Israel Defense Forces | Chicago, IL | Grant award | $20,000 |
| Wellesley College | Wellesley, MA | Grant award | $20,000 |
| Royal Ontario Museum Foundation | Toronto, CA | Grant award | $14,000 |
| Colorado Gives Foundation | Arvada, CO | Grant award | $14,000 |
| Ort America | Northbrook, IL | Grant award | $9,000 |
| Suffolk University | Boston, MA | Grant award | $8,000 |
| Ravinia Festival Association | Highland Park, IL | Grant award | $7,500 |
| School Alternatives | Portland, OR | Grant award | $7,000 |
| Lurie Children's Foundation | Chicago, IL | Grant award | $6,700 |
| Boulder Shelter for the Homeless | Colorado, CO | Grant award | $6,650 |
| Church of Christ | Bellingham, WA | Grant award | $6,000 |
| American Assoc for Surgery of Trauma | Chicago, IL | Grant award | $5,000 |
| American Cancer Society | Chicago, IL | Grant award | $5,000 |
| The Manny&pat Sanchez Foundation | Lisle, IL | Grant award | $5,000 |
| National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund | Washington, DC | Grant award | $4,000 |
| Wild Bear Nature Center | Nederland, CO | Grant award | $4,000 |
| North Suburban Synagogue Beth El | Highland Park, IL | Grant award | $3,500 |
| Mcso Memorial Fund | Phoenix, AZ | Grant award | $3,000 |
| Shaw Festival Foundation | Buffalo, NY | Grant award | $3,000 |
| Stratford Festival | Stratford, UK | Grant award | $3,000 |
| Taking Ctl Your Diabetes | Solana Beach, CA | Grant award | $3,000 |
| A Safe Place | Zion, IL | Grant award | $2,400 |
| Shalva | Chicago, IL | Grant award | $2,400 |
| Chicago Police Memorial Foundation | Chicago, IL | Grant award | $2,000 |
| Foundation of Retired Police Office | Phoenix, AZ | Grant award | $2,000 |
| Scottsdale Police Foundation | Scottsdale, AZ | Grant award | $2,000 |
| The Ark | Chicago, IL | Grant award | $2,000 |
| Msco Advisry Council | Phoenix, AZ | Grant award | $2,000 |
| Dance for Life | Chicago, IL | Grant award | $1,850 |
| Birthright Israel | New York, NY | Grant award | $1,800 |
| Autistic Kids Foundation | Glenview, IL | Grant award | $1,750 |
| Cancer Wellness Center | Northbrook, IL | Grant award | $1,500 |
| Darkhorse Benefits Inc | Maitland, FL | Grant award | $1,500 |
| Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Inc | White Plains, NY | Grant award | $1,200 |
| Imagine Foundation | Lafayette, CO | Grant award | $1,000 |
| Plea Charities | Phoenix, AZ | Grant award | $1,000 |
| Scottsdale Community Players | Scottsdale, AZ | Grant award | $1,000 |
| Take Part Foundation | St Charles, MO | Grant award | $1,000 |
| The Art Center | Highland Park, IL | Grant award | $1,000 |
| The Wounded Blue | Las Vegas, NV | Grant award | $1,000 |
| Pflag Council of Northern Illinois | Elmhurst, IL | Grant award | $1,000 |
| Swift Youth Foudation | Phoenix, AZ | Grant award | $1,000 |
| Teen Lifeline | Phoenix, AZ | Grant award | $1,000 |
| Center for Inspired Learning | Arlington Heights, IL | Grant award | $900 |
| The Josselyn Center NFP | Highland Park, IL | Grant award | $900 |
| Cascada Action | Portland, OR | Grant award | $600 |
| Aspiritech NFP | Highland Park, IL | Grant award | $500 |
| Chabad of Lake Oswego | Portland, OR | Grant award | $500 |
| Chicago Botanic Garden | Glencoe, IL | Grant award | $500 |
| Community Transitional School | Portland, OR | Grant award | $500 |
| Friends of Clackamas County Library | Oak Grove, OR | Grant award | $500 |
| Friends of the Multnomah County Library | Portland, OR | Grant award | $500 |
| Friends of the Oregon City Library | Oregon City, OR | Grant award | $500 |
| Heartland Animal Shelter | Northbrook, IL | Grant award | $500 |
| Highland Park Community Center | Highland Park, IL | Grant award | $500 |
| Milwaukee Lutheran Church | Northbrook, IL | Grant award | $500 |
| Moraine Township | Highland Park, IL | Grant award | $500 |
| Mother's Trust Foundation | Lake Forest, IL | Grant award | $500 |
Showing the 60 largest of 72 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $274,850 | 72 |
| 2023 | $235,334 | 68 |
| 2022 | $235,525 | 73 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2024, filed Feb 5, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202600369349101005
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 36-3332896
- 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.