Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation
The Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation is a private foundation based in Glencoe, Illinois. In 2025, it reported 43 grants totaling $1,656,850 and stated that it makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation at a glance
In short: Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation gave $1.7M across 43 grants in 2025 (avg $39K), mostly in Illinois. 12% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,656,850
- -38.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 43
- -4.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $38,531
- -35.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $25,000
- Total assets
- $14,819,498
- -1.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 12% first-time grantees (5 of 43, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (74% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to Apply
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 48, Glencoe, IL 60022
Phone: (847) 971-5004
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Anti-Defamation League ($150K). Together the top 10 received $1.0M.
Grant Size Distribution
229 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 142 grants of 229 (62%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 74% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 12% to New York, 6% to Washington, DC, 3% to Alabama, and 3% to Iowa.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 43 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation open to new grantees?
12%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 5 of 43 grantees (12%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $20K; repeat grants $41K. How we count
Medians: $1K first-time, $30K repeat.
- 88% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−13%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 178% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $1.7M (2025) to $3.3M (2020). In 2025 it made 43 grants totaling $1.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-Defamation League Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General Support | $150,000 |
| National Multiple Sclerosis Society New York, NY | Unrestricted General Support | $125,000 |
| Roger Baldwin Foundation ACLU IL Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General Support | $125,000 |
| Illinois Holocaust Museum Skokie, IL | Unrestricted General Support | $100,500 |
| Jewish United Fund Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General Support | $100,100 |
| Jewish Children & Family Service Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General Support | $100,000 |
| Planned Parenthood of IL Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General Support | $100,000 |
| US Holocaust Memorial Museum Washington, DC | Unrestricted General Support | $100,000 |
| The Ark Chicago, IL | Unrestricted General Support | $75,000 |
| Writers Theatre Glencoe, IL | Unrestricted General Support | $60,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $14,819,498 | $1,572,425 | $1,840,870 | $1,656,850 | 43 | $1,656,850 | $1,410,102 | $932,337 |
| 2024 | $15,087,943 | $1,224,518 | $2,876,925 | $2,701,258 | 45 | $2,701,258 | $1,058,879 | $940,271 |
| 2023 | $16,740,350 | $1,400,018 | $1,990,683 | $1,815,400 | 42 | $1,815,400 | $1,244,760 | $934,895 |
| 2022 | $17,331,015 | $1,416,818 | $2,103,908 | $1,894,366 | 51 | $1,894,366 | $1,227,301 | $1,039,112 |
| 2021 | $18,018,105 | $2,509,559 | $2,215,401 | $1,981,365 | 48 | $1,981,365 | $2,295,548 | $1,170,602 |
| 2020 | $17,723,947 | $1,687,290 | $3,495,917 | $3,329,833 | 37 | — | $1,521,231 | $1,034,582 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation reported a distributable amount of $932K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations whose work includes several different areas. For example, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society says its mission is to cure MS while empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives. The Ark says it helps Chicagoland Jews facing adversity navigate toward self-reliance, while Keshet says it supports people with disabilities in participating in activities and milestones throughout life. Writers Theatre describes its mission as creating connections through performances and programs, and Chicago Public Media says it works to strengthen local communities and democracy through independent journalism.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the foundation made 43 grants totaling $1,656,850. Grants ranged from $150 to $150,000, with a median grant of $25,000. Its largest 2025 grants included $150,000 to the Anti-Defamation League in Chicago; $125,000 each to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Roger Baldwin Foundation ACLU IL; and $100,500 to the Illinois Holocaust Museum. These grants were listed for unrestricted general support.
Other 2025 grants included $75,000 to The Ark, $60,000 to Writers Theatre, $53,100 to Keshet, and $50,000 to Chicago Public Media. The foundation also gave $50,000 to the Southern Poverty Law Center, whose stated mission is to advance racial justice and human rights, and $30,000 to the Israel Cancer Research Fund, which says it supports cancer research in Israel.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Arthur Callistein as assistant secretary/director, Bartholomew O’Toole as director, Steven J Callistein as president/director, and Sheila Moss as assistant secretary/director.
Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation is led by Steven J. Callistein, President & Director since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 2 of 4 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Steven J. Callistein
President & Director
Director → President & Director, 2022
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$5K (2021) → $25K (2025)
Arthur Callistein
Assistant Secretary & Director
President & Director → Director, 2023
Director → Assistant Secretary & Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
$40K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Bartholomew O'Toole
Director
On filings since 2020
$5K (2020) → $0 (2025)
Sheila Moss
Assistant Secretary & Director
Director → Secretary & Director, 2022
Secretary & Director → Assistant Secretary & Director, 2024
On filings since 2021
10 hrs/week
$5K (2021) → $25K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Fern Callistein (2020–2022) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $25K, to Steven J Callistein (President/Di). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation
How much does Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation give each year?
Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation gave $1.7M across 43 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $2.7M across 45 grants.
What is Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation's typical grant size?
Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $25,000, and its average grant was $38,531, across 43 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation that year got $20K on average.
Where does Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation give grants?
Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 74% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The next largest states were New York (12%) and District of Columbia (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (16 grants), Des Moines, IA (6 grants), New York, NY (3 grants) and Highland Park, IL (3 grants).
Does Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (43 of 43) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation's largest grantees?
Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Anti-Defamation League ($150,000), National Multiple Sclerosis Society ($125,000) and Roger Baldwin Foundation ACLU IL ($125,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 24% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation?
Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation reported $14.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $1.7M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $932K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation fund?
No foundation mission statement is provided. Its 2025 grants went to organizations whose work includes several different areas. For example, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society says its mission is to cure MS while empowering people affected by MS to live their best lives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funds and makes contributions only to preselected charitable organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation's EIN?
Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3219529. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 11, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Katten Muchin Rosenman Foundation Inc
Chicago, IL
The foundation supports charitable organizations and community programs in education, arts and culture, health and welfare, and human rights, with 2025 grants mainly going to organizations in New York, California, Washington, DC, Illinois, and North Carolina. Its 19 grants ranged from $2,000 to $233,500, with a median of $20,000. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$629K
Grants
19
Total Given
$587K
Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation Inc
Princeton, NJ
The Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation supports health access and stronger health systems, with a focus on adult and pediatric cancers, blood disorders, brain health, and clinical-trial participation in the United States, Brazil, India, and ten Sub-Saharan African countries. In 2024, its median grant was about $134,000, though awards varied widely; it does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests, and advises prospective applicants to contact the Foundation about its process.
Assets
$83.3M
Grants
144
Total Given
$67.7M
Aetna Foundation Inc
Hartford, CT
Aetna Foundation supported health and wellness, access to health care, and related community needs; its 2021 grants ranged from $5,000 to $1 million, with a median of $40,000, and went to organizations across multiple states, especially in D.C. and Connecticut. Its 2021 filing was marked final, so it appears to have ended or be winding down grantmaking; that filing said there were no restrictions on who could apply and pointed applicants to its website for application materials.
Assets
—
Grants
65
Total Given
$7.2M
The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation
Chicago, IL
The foundation’s 2025 grants supported organizations working in education, arts and culture, media, public learning, and neuroscience, with 94% of grant dollars going to Illinois recipients. Grants ranged from $50 to $75,000, with a median of $1,000. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$2.5M
Grants
79
Total Given
$506K
Motorola Solutions Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Motorola Solutions Foundation funds first-responder programs and technology and engineering education, especially for under-resourced communities; its 2025 grants had a median of $35,000. It supports organizations worldwide, with priority for communities where Motorola Solutions operates, and accepts unsolicited requests through an annual letter-of-inquiry process, with full applications by invitation.
Assets
$1.2M
Grants
213
Total Given
$12.6M
Modestus Bauer Foundation
Chicago, IL
The Modestus Bauer Foundation supports a broad range of charitable organizations, including health, food access, education, and arts groups, with most of its giving going to Illinois. Its 2025 grants ranged from $500 to $101,600, with a median of $5,000; it gives only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$11.8M
Grants
136
Total Given
$1.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 15, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/abe-and-ida-cooper-foundation-morg_d66692bf882947f993750ce486e07968
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363219529_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/abe-and-ida-cooper-foundation-morg_d66692bf882947f993750ce486e07968},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-15. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?