Crain-maling Foundation
The Crain-Maling Foundation is a private independent foundation established in 2007, headquartered in Lake Forest, Illinois. The foundation was created from the division of the Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation. It operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to supporting education, spiritual growth, cultural activities, and medical research.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$32.7M
-1.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.4M
-4.6% YoY
Grant Count
110
+10.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
-13.3% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Crain-maling Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to provide opportunities for innovation in education, spiritual development, sponsorship of cultural events, and advances in medical research.
Primary funding focus areas include:
- Education and STEM education
- Spiritual growth and Jewish educational causes
- Cultural events and cultural enhancement
- Medical research
- Jewish nonprofit organizations
Grantmaking
The foundation makes grants primarily in Illinois, New York, and Wisconsin.
Grant Range
$1,000–$165,000
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation funds organizations primarily in:
- Illinois
- New York
- Wisconsin
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $32,679,324
- Total Revenues: $2,399,864
- Total Expenses: $2,864,599
- Total Liabilities: $541,000
- Number of Employees: 3
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $32,679,324 | $33,176,772 | $39,589,700 |
| Revenue | $2,399,864 | $-3,628,283 | $1,421,476 |
| Expenses | $2,864,599 | $2,802,488 | $2,693,600 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,422,022 | $2,390,852 | $2,202,690 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,870,546 | $1,511,260 | $1,476,030 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,891,392 | $1,923,001 | $2,196,333 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Bais Chana Women International ($77,000), Clarion Project Inc ($55,000), Gastrointestinal Research Foundation ($50,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARF - ANIMAL RESCUE FOUNDATION WHEATON, IL | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $1,000 |
| ALIYA INTERNATIONAL STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM KNOXVILLE, TN | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $1,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF OPHEL BAS ZION INSTITUTIONS INC CHICAGO, IL | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $6,000 |
| AMERICAN FRIENDS OF THE RABAM MEDICAL CENTER NEW YORK, NY | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $1,000 |
| ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO CHICAGO, IL | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $3,000 |
| ASPCA NEW YORK, NY | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $1,000 |
| ASSOCIATED BETH RIVKA SCHOOL BROOKLYN, NY | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
| ASSOCIATED TALMUD TORAHS SKOKIE, IL | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $10,000 |
| AVNER INSTITUTE BROOKLYN, NY | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $25,000 |
| BAIS CHANA WOMEN INTERNATIONAL BROOKLYN, NY | EXEMPT PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION | $77,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Dr. Michael Maling — Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
- Clinical psychologist in private practice for over twenty years
- Staff member at Northwestern Memorial Hospital
- Faculty member at Northwestern University
- Trustee at Hendrix College
- Chairman of the Crain-Maling Center for Jewish Culture
- Board member of Associated Talmud Torahs and American Friends of Bar-Ilan University
- Curator board member of Jewish Educational Media (JEM)
- Former Director of the Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation
- Recipient of the Arkansas Federation's Tikkun Olam Award
Mrs. Marissa Iancu (Maling) — Co-President/Director
- Attorney and former second grade teacher
- Focuses on Jewish educational and community causes
Mrs. Elise Williams (Maling) — Co-President/Director
- Serves as Foundation Treasurer
- Oversees day-to-day financial and operational functions
Mrs. Beatrice Crain — Former Chairwoman/CEO/Director (In Memoriam, 1921–2021)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL S MALING | CHAIRPERSON, CEO & DIRECTOR | 40 | $386,925 |
| ELISE WILLIAMS | CO-PRESIDENT, TREASURER & DIRECTOR | 40 | $125,424 |
| MARISSA IANCU | CO-PRESIDENT, SECRETARY & DIRECTOR | 40 | $125,424 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation sponsors the Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young Artists Competition in partnership with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, with applications accepted for the 2026 competition cycle.
Applications for the 2026 Crain-Maling Foundation CSO Young ...Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Crain-maling Foundation fund?
The foundation's mission is to provide opportunities for innovation in education, spiritual development, sponsorship of cultural events, and advances in medical research. Primary funding focus areas include: • Education and STEM education • Spiritual growth and Jewish educational causes • Cultural events and cultural enhancement • Medical research • Jewish nonprofit organizations
How do I apply for a grant from Crain-maling Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving in 2024: $1,428,900 • Typical grant range: $1,000–$165,000 • Number of grants: 83 grants made in 2024 **Recent Grant Examples (2024):** • Jewish Educational Media (JEM): $165,000 • Bais Chana Women International: $77,000 • The University of Chicago: $50,000 • Chabad of Wheeling: $5,000 The foundation makes grants primarily in Illinois, New York, and Wisconsin.
Where does Crain-maling Foundation make grants?
The foundation funds organizations primarily in: • Illinois • New York • Wisconsin
What size grants does Crain-maling Foundation award?
In 2024, Crain-maling Foundation awarded 110 grants totaling $1.4M — an average of about $13K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Crain-maling Foundation required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Crain-maling Foundation reported a distributable amount of $1.9M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Crain-maling Foundation's EIN?
Crain-maling Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-4310219. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Crain-maling Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.