Chicago Chesed Fund
Chicago Chesed Fund is a public charity based in Lincolnwood, Illinois, formed in 1987. It says its mission is to raise and distribute funds, goods, food, and assistance to people experiencing poverty in the Jewish community.
Chicago Chesed Fund at a glance
In short: Chicago Chesed Fund gave $245K across 22 grants in 2024 (avg $11K), top state New York. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $244,937
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 22
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $11,134
- +0.0% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $15,201,057
- -6.3% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- New York (32% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Chicago Chesed Fund
- Contact
Mailing address: 7045 N Ridgeway, Lincolnwood, IL 60712
Phone: (847) 679-7799
Website: https://chicagochesedfund.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Chicago Chesed Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Orthodox Union ($25K). Together the top 10 received $152K.
Grant Size Distribution
85 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 85 grants of 85 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grant dollars went to recipients in multiple states. The largest shares were reported for New York (32%), Illinois (23%), New Jersey (22%), Florida (9%), and Nebraska (7%). These figures describe the locations of grant recipients, not necessarily the full geographic reach of the fund.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 22 itemized grants.
Cities
How Chicago Chesed Fund gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2024). 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 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $52K (2022) to $245K (2024). In 2024 it made 22 grants totaling $245K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Orthodox Union New York, NY | Education for the Poor | $25,000 |
| Neimas Bais Yaakov Inc Lakewood, NJ | Education for the Poor | $24,000 |
| Joan Dachs Bais Yaakov Chicago, IL | Education for the Poor | $21,700 |
| Friends of Meohr Bais Yaakov Lakewood, NJ | Education for the Poor | $14,025 |
| Bais Yaakov High School Chicago, IL | Education for the Poor | $13,000 |
| Yotzer Ohr Miami, FL | Education for the Poor | $12,000 |
| Telshe Yeshiva Cleveland Wickliffe, OH | Education for the Poor | $11,500 |
| Machon Bnos Yehudah Brooklyn, NY | Education for the Poor | $10,500 |
| Shalom Montessori School LLC Miami Beach, FL | Education for the Poor | $10,490 |
| American Friends of Tiferet Center Woodmere, NY | Education for the Poor | $10,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Chicago Chesed Fund?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $15,201,057 | $9,162,422 | $10,259,236 | $244,937 | 22 | $412,160 |
| 2023 | $16,229,923 | $9,175,312 | $8,818,282 | $244,937 | 22 | $306,825 |
| 2022 | $13,559,638 | $9,052,210 | $7,771,737 | $52,114 | 5 | $292,113 |
| 2021 | $12,767,122 | $8,152,645 | $5,850,644 | $124,506 | 9 | $323,466 |
| 2020 | $10,445,276 | $7,560,060 | $5,199,843 | $124,136 | 27 | $3,588 |
| 2019 | $8,512,184 | $5,017,506 | $4,842,719 | $101,950 | 9 | $9,450 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to raise and distribute funds, goods, food, and assistance to the poverty-stricken in the Jewish community. Its filing describes providing food, clothing, and monetary assistance. It also says recipients sign a statement confirming receipt and use of funds for designated purposes, which may include food, clothing, weddings, education, and other supported causes.
The 2024 grants show support for education for the poor. Several grantee descriptions offer examples of the kinds of organizations supported: Neimas Bais Yaakov describes itself as an educational and cultural provider for post-high-school students exploring their heritage and Judaism while earning college credits. Friends of Meohr Bais Yaakov says it promotes Jewish education and provides emotional-health services, career counseling, economic assistance, and educational scholarships. Bellevue University describes its work as providing career-oriented, cost-effective, open-access education, while PlayThinks says it enhances learning experiences for all ages and experience levels.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, Chicago Chesed Fund reported 22 grants totaling $244,937. Grants ranged from $5,105 to $25,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest listed grants were $25,000 to Orthodox Union, $24,000 to Neimas Bais Yaakov, and $21,700 to Joan Dachs Bais Yaakov; each was designated for “education for the poor.” Other notable grants included $14,025 to Friends of Meohr Bais Yaakov, $12,000 to Yotzer Ohr, $10,000 to Yeshivat Aish HaTorah, $9,380 to Bellevue University, and $8,500 to PlayThinks.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Moshe Kahn as president, Alan Siegal as treasurer, and Avi Banker as secretary. It also lists Eli Hildeshaim as a member, Joseph Fuerst as executive director, and David Gendel as development manager.
Chicago Chesed Fund is led by Joseph Fuerst, Executive Director since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 2 of 6 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Joseph Fuerst
Executive Director
Manager → Executive Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$102K (2019) → $52K (2024)
Moshe Kahn
President
On filings since 2019
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Gendel
Development Manager
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$150K (2022) → $150K (2024)
Alan Siegal
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Avi Banker
Secretary
On filings since 2019
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eli Hildeshaim
Member
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $150K, to David Gendel (Development Manager). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Chicago Chesed Fund
How much does Chicago Chesed Fund give each year?
Chicago Chesed Fund gave $245K across 22 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $245K across 22 grants.
What is Chicago Chesed Fund's typical grant size?
Chicago Chesed Fund's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $11,134, across 22 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Chicago Chesed Fund give grants?
Chicago Chesed Fund's top state is New York, with 32% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Illinois (23%) and New Jersey (22%). The most frequent recipient cities were Chicago, IL (4 grants), New York, NY (3 grants), Brooklyn, NY (3 grants) and Lakewood, NJ (2 grants).
Does Chicago Chesed Fund give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 22 grants with a stated purpose on Chicago Chesed Fund's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Education for the Poor" (22 grants).
Who are Chicago Chesed Fund's largest grantees?
Chicago Chesed Fund's largest 2024 grantees include Orthodox Union ($25,000), Neimas Bais Yaakov Inc ($24,000) and Joan Dachs Bais Yaakov ($21,700), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 29% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Chicago Chesed Fund?
Chicago Chesed Fund reported $15.2M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $9.2M.
What does Chicago Chesed Fund fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to raise and distribute funds, goods, food, and assistance to the poverty-stricken in the Jewish community. Its filing describes providing food, clothing, and monetary assistance. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Chicago Chesed Fund?
Chicago Chesed Fund has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check chicagochesedfund.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Chicago Chesed Fund's EIN?
Chicago Chesed Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-3641111. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
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 2019 (received by the IRS August 27, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 20, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Chicago Chesed Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
FJC
New York, NY
FJC supports nonprofits and fiscally sponsored charitable projects across areas including arts, education, social services, health, religion, and the environment, with grantmaking concentrated in New York and also reaching other U.S. states. In 2025, grants had a median of $17,200 and ranged from $5,040 to $2.8 million. The profile does not state whether FJC accepts unsolicited grant requests.
Assets
$462.3M
Grants
747
Total Given
$41.7M
Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
The Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles supports human services, health, education, Jewish life, arts and culture, Israel-related work, and nonprofit capacity and capital projects, with a focus on Los Angeles and also giving in Israel and beyond. Its 2024 itemized grants had a median of $25,000, though amounts varied widely. General Community grants are by invitation only and do not accept unsolicited applications; current procedures should be verified.
Assets
$1.2B
Grants
1,063
Total Given
$142.2M
WMM Charitable Foundation Inc
Fair Lawn, NJ
WMM Charitable Foundation supports preselected qualified charitable organizations, including educational and religious organizations, with 2025 grants ranging from $2,500 to $52,500 (median $4,202). Its giving primarily went to New York and New Jersey, with some support in Maryland; it does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$366K
Grants
17
Total Given
$252K
The Laufer Family Foundation Inc
KEW Gardens, NY
The Laufer Family Foundation funds religious, educational, and other charitable organizations, with most 2025 grants going to recipients in New York and a small share in New Jersey. It gave 17 grants totaling $44,795, with a median grant of $1,000 and awards ranging from $180 to $18,060. Its 2023 filing says it supports only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.1M
Grants
17
Total Given
$45K
Hahn Family Foundation Inc
Teaneck, NJ
Assets
$11.3M
Grants
40
Total Given
$586K
Dsyr Foundation
Teaneck, NJ
DSYR Foundation supports charitable organizations addressing education, children with special needs or disabilities, and medical, family, and community needs. In 2024, grants ranged from $500 to $5,000, with a median of $2,500; most funding went to New Jersey, with smaller amounts in New York and Arizona. It funds only preselected organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.
Assets
$444K
Grants
10
Total Given
$26K
More similar funders
More Funders in Illinois
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Chicago Chesed Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/chicago-chesed-fund-morg_53fde2c07d31487f99fdf09d1f26ecde
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_363641111_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Chicago Chesed Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/chicago-chesed-fund-morg_53fde2c07d31487f99fdf09d1f26ecde},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-16. 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 Chicago Chesed Fund'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.
Chicago Chesed Fund down — hundreds of funders to go?