BLS Family Foundation
BLS Family Foundation is a public charity based in Chicago, Illinois, formed in 2001. It supports charitable organizations carrying out the broad charitable, educational, or religious purposes of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.
BLS Family Foundation at a glance
In short: BLS Family Foundation gave $885K across 11 grants in 2025 (avg $80K), mostly in Illinois. 27% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $885,000
- +58.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 11
- +0.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $80,455
- +58.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $60,000
- Total assets
- $1,904,889
- -21.8% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 27% first-time grantees (3 of 11, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Illinois (83% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to BLS Family Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 30 South Wells Street 4049, Chicago, IL 60606
Phone: (312) 357-4790
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who BLS Family Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Friends Of The Children - Chicago ($300K). Together the top 10 received $875K.
Grant Size Distribution
52 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 35 grants of 52 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
In 2025, 83% of grant dollars went to recipients in Illinois, 14% to recipients in New York, and 3% to recipients in California.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 11 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is BLS Family Foundation open to new grantees?
27%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 3 of 11 grantees (27%) were first-time recipients. With only 11 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 9 points. First grants averaged $50K; repeat grants $92K. How we count
Medians: $25K first-time, $80K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 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 $240K (2020) to $885K (2025). In 2025 it made 11 grants totaling $885K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Friends Of The Children - Chicago Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $300,000 |
| United Way of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $115,000 |
| American Friends of NATAL-Israel Trauma Center New York, NY | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| The Ark Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $100,000 |
| Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $60,000 |
| Lawndale Christian Legal Center Chicago, IL | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Metropolitan Family Services Merrionette Park, IL | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| New Israel Fund New York, NY | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| Stop Stalking Us Inc Los Angeles, CA | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
Ready to take the next step with BLS Family Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,904,889 | $326,825 | $896,650 | $885,000 | 11 | $326,825 |
| 2024 | $2,435,467 | $-35,265 | $579,103 | $560,000 | 11 | $-35,265 |
| 2023 | $2,667,673 | $66,443 | $413,797 | $380,000 | 12 | $66,443 |
| 2022 | $3,150,774 | $449,355 | $391,346 | $367,500 | 10 | $250,939 |
| 2021 | $3,543,926 | $329,715 | $270,719 | $249,500 | 8 | $179,659 |
| 2020 | $2,811,041 | $158,311 | $269,988 | $240,000 | 6 | $158,311 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s stated mission is to foster, promote, support, develop, encourage, and maintain charitable activities and vital human and educational services, as authorized by its bylaws and the charter of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. It says it makes grants to charitable organizations that meet those requirements and are exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Its 2025 grantees include organizations with varied missions. Friends of the Children–Chicago says it empowers youth facing significant obstacles through long-term professional mentoring. The Ark says it helps Chicagoland Jews facing adversity move toward self-reliance. Metropolitan Family Services says it provides and mobilizes services to strengthen families and communities. Lawndale Christian Legal Center says its vision is to support youth who are justly treated, restored from trauma, empowered to lead, and free from the criminal justice system.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 11 grants totaling $885,000. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $300,000, with a median of $60,000. All listed grants were for general operating support.
The largest awards included $300,000 to Friends of the Children–Chicago, $115,000 to United Way of Metropolitan Chicago, and $100,000 each to American Friends of NATAL-Israel Trauma Center, Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago, and The Ark. Other recipients included Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago ($60,000), Lawndale Christian Legal Center ($25,000), Metropolitan Family Services ($25,000), New Israel Fund ($25,000), Stop Stalking Us Inc ($25,000), and Project Unloaded ($10,000).
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Bonnie Lovitt as president; David S Rosen as treasurer; Ellen Carmell as secretary; Eric Devir as assistant secretary; and James A Pinkston and Peter Chiswick as assistant treasurers.
BLS Family Foundation is led by Bonnie Lovitt, President on every filing since 2022; none of the 6 officers listed in 2025 report compensation.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Bonnie Lovitt
President
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David S. Rosen
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Carmell
Secretary
Director → Secretary, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
James A. Pinkston
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Peter Chiswick
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Devir
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (4)
- Former: Rose Jagust (2020–2023) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Lauren Acker (2023) — Honorary Director
- Former: Sarah Fell Goldberg (2023) — Honorary Director
- Former: Bonnie L Podolsky (2020–2021) — President
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.
Frequently asked questions about BLS Family Foundation
How much does BLS Family Foundation give each year?
BLS Family Foundation gave $885K across 11 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $560K across 11 grants.
What is BLS Family Foundation's typical grant size?
BLS Family Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $60,000, and its average grant was $80,455, across 11 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from BLS Family Foundation that year got $50K on average.
Where does BLS Family Foundation give grants?
BLS Family Foundation gives mostly in Illinois: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was New York (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (7 grants) and New York, NY (2 grants).
Does BLS Family Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of BLS Family Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (11 of 11) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are BLS Family Foundation's largest grantees?
BLS Family Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Friends Of The Children - Chicago ($300,000), United Way of Metropolitan Chicago ($115,000) and American Friends of NATAL-Israel Trauma Center ($100,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 58% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is BLS Family Foundation?
BLS Family Foundation reported $1.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $327K.
What does BLS Family Foundation fund?
The foundation’s stated mission is to foster, promote, support, develop, encourage, and maintain charitable activities and vital human and educational services, as authorized by its bylaws and the charter of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from BLS Family Foundation?
BLS Family Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is BLS Family Foundation's EIN?
BLS Family Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-4420871. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 5, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 16, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 3, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 1, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in BLS Family Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
The First Spoke Foundation
Chicago, IL
The First Spoke Foundation supported charitable, educational, and religious organizations aligned with the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago. In 2023, it made 25 grants ranging from $10,000 to $650,000, with a median grant of $60,000, to recipients mainly in Illinois, the District of Columbia, New York, and California. The profile does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests; its 2022 filing was marked as its final return.
Assets
—
Grants
25
Total Given
$3.3M
AbbVie Foundation
North Chicago, IL
The AbbVie Foundation funds health equity, access to care, cancer care, community health, and related community-led programs through partnerships and employee initiatives. Its 2025 grants ranged from $8,000 to $15 million, with a median of $25,000; it supports work worldwide, with the largest share of recent grants going to Illinois. It makes grants only to preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$265.6M
Grants
65
Total Given
$47.1M
IMC Chicago Charitable Foundation
Chicago, IL
IMC Chicago Charitable Foundation supports education, youth development, conservation, and Chicago-area impact enterprises, with grants and direct support to charitable organizations. In 2025, it awarded 47 grants totaling about $21.5 million; individual grants ranged from $2,058 to $17.8 million, though most were much smaller. It is based in Chicago, but 2025 grant dollars went mainly to Delaware and California, with some to Illinois; it funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$56.0M
Grants
47
Total Given
$21.5M
Advocate Health and Hospitals Corp
Oak Brook, IL
Advocate Health and Hospitals Corp funds health care access, community health and wellness, and related Illinois nonprofits. In 2024, its median grant was $7,500, with awards ranging from $5,500 to $727,759; all reported recipients were in Illinois. The Bethany Community Health Fund limited applications to current grantees in 2019, and no broader policy on unsolicited requests is stated.
Assets
$23.8B
Grants
23
Total Given
$1.7M
The Sheba Foundation
Highland Park, IL
The Sheba Foundation funds synagogue security, social services, medical and emergency resources, education, and related charitable activities, with most 2024 grant dollars going to Illinois and smaller shares to recipients in New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Texas. Its 2024 grants ranged from $263 to $1.1 million, with a median of $20,879. It gives only to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited funding requests.
Assets
$44.8M
Grants
51
Total Given
$4.4M
Carylon Julius and Marcie Hemmelstein Foundation
Chicago, IL
Carylon Julius and Marcie funds health and reproductive health, education, Jewish and religious community life, and charitable services, with most 2025 grant dollars going to Illinois and additional support in New York, Michigan, Massachusetts, and Washington, DC. Its 2025 grants ranged from $1,000 to $105,000, with a median of $10,000. The 2024 filing says applicants should contact Rebecca Mervis in writing and state the purpose of the request; it does not list deadlines or award restrictions.
Assets
$25.5M
Grants
69
Total Given
$1.3M
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). BLS Family Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/bls-family-foundation-morg_caf41b4568494011bf6b22883fb9d10e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_364420871_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{BLS Family Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/bls-family-foundation-morg_caf41b4568494011bf6b22883fb9d10e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. 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 BLS Family 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.
BLS Family Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?