The Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation
Invitation OnlyChicago, Illinois · EIN 23-7028857 · Private foundation
Grants paid (2025)$2.7M
Organizations funded97
Typical grant$15,000
Total assets$14.9M
Half of its grants to organizations were between $5,000 and $28,500.
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
0% of grants went outside Illinois.
Grants paid in tax year 2025
| Recipient | Location | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $225,000 |
| West Coast Sports Medicine Foundation | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $205,000 |
| Lookingglass Theatre Company | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $115,000 |
| Collaboraction Theatre | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $105,000 |
| Dovetail Project | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $100,000 |
| Echoes of Hope | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $100,000 |
| Friends of Elnet | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $100,000 |
| Iola's Lyceum | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $100,000 |
| Imagine Englewood If | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $75,382 |
| Timeline Theatre | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $60,000 |
| Communityhealth | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Connections for the Homeless | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Girls 4 Science | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Heritage Retreats | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Ignite | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Jewish United Fund | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| King's Care Foundation | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Northwestern University | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| People's Music School | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| Window to the World Communications | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $50,000 |
| City of Hope | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $35,000 |
| Chicago Torture Justice Memorials Foundation | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $30,000 |
| Greater Englewood Chamber Foundation | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $30,000 |
| Uptown People's Law Center | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $30,000 |
| Illinois Prison Project | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $28,500 |
| Ladies of Virtue | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $27,500 |
| Better Government Association | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Boulevard | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Canine Lymphoma Education Awareness & Research | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Challah & Soul | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Chicago Hopes for Kids | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Chicago Public Media | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Chicago Torture Justice Center | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Covenant House | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Folded Map Project NFP | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Historical Preservation Society Black Panther Party Illinois | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Injustice Watch | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Invisible Institute | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Lurie Cancer Center Melissa Simon Discretionary | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| National Public Housing Museum | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Near South Planning Board | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Night Ministry | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Nourishing Hope | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Reader Institute for Community Journalism | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Resident Association of Greater Englewood | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Restore Justice Foundation | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Safe Place for Youth | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $25,000 |
| Justinian Society of Lawyers Childrens Endowment Fund | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $20,000 |
| Albany Park Theater Project | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $15,000 |
| Erikson Institute | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $15,000 |
| Malnati Brain Tumor Institute | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $15,000 |
| Roger Baldwin Foundation of the Aclu | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $15,000 |
| Spertus | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $15,000 |
| Block Club Chicago | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $10,000 |
| Cje Seniorlife | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $10,000 |
| Csnk2a1 Foundation | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $10,000 |
| Bard College Bard Prison Initiative | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $6,000 |
| Cara Collective | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $5,000 |
| Center for Investigative Reporting - Mother Jones | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $5,000 |
| Chicago Help Initiative | Chicago, IL | General unrestricted, exempt purpose of organization | $5,000 |
Showing the 60 largest of 97 grants to organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Grant lines |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,691,882 | 97 |
| 2024 | $3,318,955 | 113 |
| 2023 | $3,445,733 | 128 |
Sources
- IRS Form 990-PF, tax year 2025, filed May 15, 2026 - IRS e-file batch, object ID 202641359349102704
- IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search for EIN 23-7028857
- Profile updated Nov 4, 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.